Negative Effects of Obesity
In the past, there have always been people in society who were deemed to be overweight. However, in the last few decades, this problem has increased drastically and is now affecting people world wide. More and more people are being diagnosed as severely overweight or obese, with nearly one third of adults in Australia affected and one in ten of the world’s population. A person is classed as overweight if their Body Mass Index (BMI) is measured as 25 or above and those with 30 or above classed as obese. Obesity is caused by abnormal or excessive fat accumulation in the body, which can lead to a number of health risks. These health risks start when a person becomes only slightly overweight, however the likelihood of suffering one or more of these conditions increases as their weight increases.
One of the most common illnesses linked to obesity is type 2 diabetes. This is due to the affects that both bad eating and little or no exercise has on the body. Other serious conditions linked to obesity are cardiovascular disease such as heart disease and stroke, as well as some cancers such as endometrial in females, and breast, colon and esophagus in both men and women. The excess weight and strain on the body can also cause musculoskeletal disorders such as osteoarthritis of the hand, hip, back and knees. Obesity is also the cause of the most common form of non-alcoholic liver disease. Other serious illnesses that obese people are at risk of suffering from are infertility and menstrual abnormalities, skin problems, gallstones, and reduced resistance to harmful organizations. Obesity can also have a negative impact on a person’s mental health as well as their physical health. It has been known to contribute to mental stress, and can affect physical intimacy, social interactions, and employment opportunities.
The most distressing thing about obesity is that it is a largely preventable disease. It is also part of a vicious cycle, as once a person becomes obese it can be hard for them to lose any weight as it may be embarrassing for them to try to exercise, and they may also be physically be unable to exercise due to their weight or a weight-related illness. It is also worrying as it is a disease that causes a lot of long-term suffering for both the obese person and their family, and can become a financial strain to both them and the health care system. But, the most tragic thing of all is that, if left untreated, obesity can lead to either substantial disability or even death. But fortunately, as mentioned above, it is preventable! If you feel that you may be overweight then there are easy steps that can be taken to make a change. By limiting energy intakes and improving your diet by reducing saturated fats and sugars etc whilst increasing fruits and vegetables, you will start noticing a difference. And by increasing the amount of calories you use, even by taking small steps such as walking small journeys rather than driving, it is possible to prevent obesity and all the risks it brings.
There are more weight loss tips here.
How Protein Can Aid Weight Loss
Protein is required as part of a balanced, healthy diet. However, it has been found that a diet high in protein and low in carbohydrates can help contribute to weight loss. The reason that protein is essential to weight loss is due to its make up. It is made up of amino acids that can remove saturated fat, cholesterol and lactose from the body. Protein is thought to be the single most important calorie in terms of influencing the body’s metabolic rate as it leads to a slight increase in body temperature which in turn increases the metabolism. This helps increase the rate at which the body burns off calories, even while resting. Protein also helps control energy intake as it requires more energy to digest than it produces, leading to a reduction in calories and body fat. It also produces a small but moderate amount of insulin that stimulates the body to get rid of any stored fat.
Another important part protein plays in weight loss is the ability to prevent muscle loss as well as improving muscle fitness, which means that it is fat that is lost from the body – not muscle. Weight loss is also aided as a meal high in protein makes the brain feel fuller, meaning you stop eating earlier and are unlikely to snack. And, by preventing water retention there is less risk of appearing bloated especially around the stomach area. Other advantages to a high protein diet include improved immunity, improved antioxidant function, higher rates of good cholesterol (HDL) to bad cholesterol (LDL), and enhanced insulin and leptin function. These all help prevent illnesses in the body and can help promote a healthy lifestyle.
However, there are disadvantages to a high protein diet. The first and perhaps most obvious disadvantage would be the lack of variety available during meal times. However, this does have a plus side as this has been linked to the body feeling fuller. Those who stick to a high protein/low carbohydrate diet have an increased risk of heart disease, cancer and diabetes due to the lack of carbohydrates in the body. Too much protein may also cause toxicity of the blood if not processed properly, muscle fatigue, and can have an affect on kidney and liver functions. It is due to this that a high protein diet is only recommended for a short period of time and not as a long term lifestyle choice.
To get the most from a high protein diet it is a good idea to start the day with a high protein breakfast. This is a good idea as it helps ‘wake-up’ your liver, in turn increasing the metabolic rate by as much as 30%. This is because protein is hard to digest and so it requires more work from the body to process protein rich foods. Foods with a high protein content are those from animal or diary sources such as meat, cheese and milk, with those with high quality why protein the best. Once you get used to your new diet it will become easier to stick to, however remember that this should not be a long term change and that a healthy, balanced diet is best in the long term.
Five Habits of Healthy People
Top 5 habits of healthy people as determined by Tara Stiles.
- Drink lots of water.
- Eat more fruits and vegetables.
- Meditate
- Practice yoga
- Smile at strangers.
Watch the video for more info:
