The health benefits of losing weight

Carrying extra weight on your body is much like carrying a heavy load in your car it creates extra work and strain and makes the general mechanics wear out quicker. There are a number of key health risks that are directly related to excess weight and obesity although most people also agree that impact on overall emotional wellbeing is equally significant.

The short-list of “increased risk for” diseases is as follows -

High blood pressure

Heart Disease

Stroke

Angina (chest pain caused by decreased oxygen to the heart)

Type 2 Diabetes (a major cause of early death, heart and kidney disease, stoke, and blindness)

Several types of cancer (including cancer of the uterus, gallbladder, cervix, ovary, breast, colon, prostate and rectum)

Sleep apnea (pauses in breathing during sleep, sometimes linked to heart failure)

Osteoarthritis

Gout

Gallbladder and gallstones

Of great concern is that being overweight not only increases risk for these diseases, but also increases the chances of sudden death from heart disease or stroke occurring without any signs or symptoms. For those wishing to conceive, being overweight can also reduce fertility and increase health risks during pregnancy, and for those requiring surgery, the risks associated with anesthesia are significantly increased by being overweight.

One of the most pronounced benefits of losing weight is that it immediately reduces your risk of being afflicted by these diseases and conditions. Even a small amount of weight loss reduces the pressure on your body, improving how your heart works and lessening impact on your joints In fact Fabio Piccini, doctor in charge of the Center for Eating Disorders Therapy at Malatesta Novello nursing home says that a 10% reduction in weight is sufficient to decrease mortality caused by obesity by 20%.

Less statistically significant but having great personal impact for overweight people is an increase in energy levels, improved sleep and peace of mind. But perhaps one of the greatest benefits of losing weight is not gained by dieter but instead by their family in the form of extra years with their loved one.

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