Paying Attention to your Weight
We all know that packing on the extra pounds can increase our risk for a host of health conditions – from diabetes to heart disease. But with two out of three adults overweight and one out of four Americans obese, it’s clear that losing weight can be a big challenge. However, even losing a few pounds can make a huge difference for your long-term health. Here’s why you should pay attention to your weight – and how a Tampa weight loss doctor or bariatric surgeon can help you take off the pounds.
Adults are considered overweight if their BMI (body mass index) is between 25 and 29.9. A BMI of 30 or greater is considered obese. A high BMI is directly associated with an increased risk for coronary artery disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, stroke, osteoarthritis, infertility problems, breast cancer and colon cancer. In fact, 90% of all obese adults are also diabetic – and many do not realize this until diabetes has seriously affected their health.
Being overweight does not just affect your body. Scientific studies have documented biased attitudes towards obese adults, including perceptions that the obese are “dumb”, “lazy”, “unsuccessful” and “overindulgent”. Such attitudes can hurt everything from your chances for a promotion at work to the success of your personal relationships.
Being obese is not cheap, either. Obesity-related health care costs add up to more than $123 billion each year. Whether you need additional health-related diagnostic and medical care or cost an employer due to absenteeism or restrict activity, being obese is not cheap.
If you are struggling to lose weight a Tampa weight loss doctor can help. A bariatric surgeon can help jump-start your weight loss through surgery like gastric bypass or lap band surgery. A weight loss doctor can also help you make long-term lifestyle changes through nutrition counseling and fitness training. Even if you have a lot of weight to lose, every pound counts. Taking a few pounds off every month can add up to a longer, healthier life.
