Weight loss secrets revealed
As per the latest data from Center's for Disease Control, overweight and obesity continue to be a major public health problem in the United States.
Obesity and overweight statistics 2015
- More than one-third (34.9% or 78.6 million) of U.S. adults are obese according an article published in JAMA.
- Obesity affects over 50 medical problems including cardiovascular disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, mood disorders and even certain types of cancer, some of which are the leading causes of preventable death.
Cost of Obesity
The estimated annual medical cost of obesity in the U.S. was $147 billion in 2008 U.S. dollars; the medical costs for people who are obese were $1,429 higher than those of normal weight.
Individual cost of obesity
According to a research study from George Washington University, the annual direct individual cost of being obese is $4,879 for women and $2,646 for men. When the value of lost life is added, the results are even more dramatic: $8,365 and $6,518 for women and men respectively, they said at the release, which included a panel of esteemed obesity experts moderated by former U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher.
Are Americans serious about losing weight?
According to a poll from Gallup, conducted in 2015, about 51% of Americans said they would like to lose weight. Of these, about 26% are actually are serious about losing weight.
Now that we know how serious the problem is and how expensive it is, let us look at what can be done to lose weight.
- What are the secrets for losing weight?
- How to lose weight fast and safe?
- Why am I not able to lose weight?
- What is truly causing my weight gain?
- Why am I gaining weight in the belly?
- What is causing my food cravings?
1. Understand your body mass index or BMI
| BMI | Weight Status |
|---|---|
| Below 18.5 | Underweight |
| 18.5 – 24.9 | Normal or Healthy Weight |
| 25.0 – 29.9 | Overweight |
| 30.0 and Above | Obese |
2. Check your waist circumference
Measuring waist circumference helps screen for possible health risks that come with overweight and obesity. If most of your fat is around your waist rather than at your hips, you’re at a higher risk for heart disease and type 2 diabetes. This risk goes up with a waist size that is greater than 35 inches for women or greater than 40 inches for men. To correctly measure your waist, stand and place a tape measure around your middle, just above your hipbones. Measure your waist just after you breathe out.
The table Risks of Obesity-Associated Diseases by BMI and Waist Circumference provides you with an idea of whether your BMI combined with your waist circumference increases your risk for developing obesity-associated diseases or conditions.
Setting the right goals is an important first step to losing weight successfully. Most people trying to lose weight focus on just that one goal of losing weight without having a clear plan to lose weight.
However, the most productive areas to focus on are the dietary and physical activity changes that will lead to long-term weight change. Successful people losing weight are those who select two or three goals at a time that are manageable.
Useful goals should be (1) specific; (2) doable within the constraints of daily life; and (3) forgiving to some extent. For example, saying "Let me eat less and exercise more" is a great goal, but it's not specific. "Walk 5 miles every day" is specific and measurable, but is it doable if you're just starting out? "Walk 30 minutes every day" is more attainable, but what happens if you're held up at work one day and there's a thunderstorm during your walking time another day? "Walk 30 minutes, 5 days each week" is specific, doable, and forgiving. In short, a great goal! The same applies to diet.
- Monitor your progress
- Reward yourself for successful weight loss
- Reach your weight loss goal
- Have a plan to maintain your weight once you reach your weight loss goal.
