With roughly 2/3 of the adult population in the U.S. being overweight or obese, many people do not understand the importance of weight loss. While no one should ever be shamed or made fun of because of their weight, someone should sit and have a serious conversation about what the extra pounds are doing to their health. Consider the following and perhaps do a bit more research before talking to a friend or loved one that is overweight or obese.

Medical Conditions

Being overweight is not good for your organs and how they function. Almost every organ and system in the body will be negatively affected. Here are just a few medical conditions that are caused by or made worse when someone is overweight or obese, such as:

  • Diabetes type 2
  • High Blood Pressure
  • High LDL Cholesterol
  • Sleep Apnea
  • Stroke
  • Atherosclerosis

A diagnosis of any of the above will probably result in a doctor explaining the necessity of losing weight. If a diagnosis has not been made yet, losing weight could be the thing that prevents their development.

Body Aches

Extra weight means extra stress on the joints. Hips, knees, ankles, and the back will all be damaged by carrying around too much weight. Without shedding any pounds, mobility may be affected. Diminished mobility often results in additional weight gain. Most people find they physically feel much better as they start to lose weight. Even small amounts lost will give pain relief. 

Mental Health

Many people who are overweight have poor self-esteem. This can lead to anxiety or depression. When added to any medical conditions and body pain, it can be debilitating. As weight is lost, even slowly, people will start to feel better both mentally and physically as well as improve any medical conditions. They will live a happier life and this will encourage them to lose more weight.

Losing weight is not easy. Telling someone to quit eating so much and get some exercise is not going to help them. Discuss your concerns for their health and convince them to see a doctor. The doctor will do some testing to find any medical conditions and also to ensure the patient is healthy enough to exercise. In addition, they can discuss healthy weight loss programs that will lead to good results. Weight loss programs are not going to give immediate, impressive results, but they will help people learn how to eat in a way that will ensure maintaining a healthy weight. 

Reach out to a weight loss clinic for more information.

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