Are you obese? Body Mass Index, or BMI, is used to measure obesity. Prior to 2005, once your BMI hit 30 or higher, you are no doubt obese. But since 2005, World Health Organization (WHO) has revised the BMI for obesity level downwards for Asians because of their smaller frames. Now, an Asian is considered an obese if his BMI is 27.5 and above. This implies that an Asian has increased risk of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes at low BMI levels.
BMI is calculated by dividing your weight in kilograms over the square of your height in metres. Weighing heavy does not necessarily leads to obesity. Look at the heavyweights – their weights came from their muscle mass. Of course for us as common people, heavy weight means overweight!
The logic is simple: if we consume more calories than we use, the excess calories are stored in our bodies as fat. When you are obese, it simply means you are carrying too much fat in your body. Therefore, obese people run a higher risk of suffering from high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and stroke.
Many factors contribute to weight gain. They affect the way your body burns calories, thereby causing you to gain weight or not.
Lifestyle
Our long working hours and other commitments often becomes our excuses not to cook nutritious meals. Instead we head for the nearest fast food outlet or food center even though we know these prepared foods are often high in fats and calorie and the portion sizes are usually too large. On top of that, many of us lack exercise which is vital to burn away the excess calories. The end result: the excess calories turn into fat.
Psychological factors
Some people over-eat to cope with emotions problems such stress, depression or boredom.
Genetics
Your genes actually affect the amount of body fat you store and where the fat is distributed. Take a look at your parents – are they obese?
Age
Our muscle mass decreases with age. We also become less active. This in turn leads to a decrease in metabolism and calorie needs. Therefore, if we do not reduce our caloric intake as we age, we will most likely gain weight. Medical Problems
Problems like low thyroid function, arthritis, excess production of hormones by the adrenal glands (Cushing’s syndrome) or other hormonal balances, such as polycystic ovary syndrome.
Alcohol
It’s no myth drinking will make you fat. Think about this – one regular beer is about 150 calories.
If you need some help with your obesity problem, approach a qualified doctor who may recommend the following treatments:
1. Mesotherapy
Painless procedure whereby the mesoactive substance are injected into the targeted body areas such as tummy, thighs, hips and arms. The mesoactive ingredients will stimulate the metabolism of fat cells and accelerate their elimination.
2. Carboxytherapy
Get rid of ugly cellulite by improving local tissue metabolism and perfusion. This is done by injecting carbon dioxide using a tiny needle about 0.3mm in diameter. This is rapid, comfortable and effective for most patients.
3. Liposuction
This procedure can help sculpt the body by removing unwanted fat from specific areas including chin, cheeks and neck. Usually used for stubborn areas that do not respond to traditional weight-loss methods.
4. Abdominoplasty
Known as “tummy tuck”, it is a major surgical procedure to remove excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen and to tighten the muscles of abdominal wall. It can effectively reduce the appearance of a protruding abdomen but it does leave a permanent surgical scar.
Whichever treatment you choose, you still have to ensure a healthy diet and exercise regularly to keep the weight off. Visit www.ionehealth.com for some tips on healthy diet and exercise programs.
Find out how to keep your health in tip-top condition at http://www.ionehealth.com
Laura Ng
http://www.articlesbase.com/weight-loss-articles/danger-of-obesity-121755.html
January 19th, 2010 at 2:56 am
Help need to lose 60lbs in danger of obesity need some good tips?
January 19th, 2010 at 7:58 am
There’s two ways you could go and I think either way will work for you. First of all, my best suggestion is to learn to eat healthy.
http://www.easy-weightloss-tips.com/eat-healthy.html
That means understand the food pyramid, the food groups, the recommended servings, etc. That is how you should eat for life! If you eat that way and have 3 small, healthy meals a day and 2 small, healthy snacks, you will lose weight. Each meal should be less than 400 calories and each snack should be about 100-150 calories. Eating highly nutritious foods is the key, so think in terms of lean protein, veggies, whole-grains, fruits, low-fat dairy, and heart-healthy oils.
The second option is to do a short-term "drastic diet" that is designed to last for 2 weeks max. This would take off the most weight rapidly. There are several on the site under "Diet Plans" but my favorite is the 5-4-3-2-1 diet.
http://www.easy-weightloss-tips.com/5-4-3-2-1diet.html
You get to pick what you eat, but you’re going to want to pick highly nutritious foods to keep your metabolism working efficiently. Again, the "eat healthy" page can help you determine what highly nutritious foods are, if you need help with that. If you go on the short-term diet, then once it’s over, follow the guidelines on the "eat healthy" page.
Make water your main source of hydration and save the sweet drinks (even diet) for special occasions. Eliminate as much salt and sugar from your diet as you can.
The biggest component to fast weight loss is going to be your workout. You will want to make sure you do a good (30 minute minimum) cardio workout every day for weight loss (3 times a week is sufficient to maintain health). Activities that use the large leg muscles burn the most calories. These activities also tone the lower body quite effectively. Think in terms of power walking, jogging, biking, skating, swimming laps, jumping rope, dancing, racquetball, and jumping jacks. To make sure that you’re burning fat, you need to be sweating and huffing and puffing. In addition, do some good stretches and some strength training.
http://www.easy-weightloss-tips.com/target-exercises.html
You’ll find some really good information on the website, including about five pages of weight loss tips, printable weight loss journal pages, printable exercise log sheets, motivational ideas, healthy recipes, etc.
Good luck!
References :
January 19th, 2010 at 8:00 am
cut out all processed foods…
eat only fresh fruits and veggies… (sometimes eat fresh meat.. but try not to make it a daily habit) no DAIRY! (dairy is well known for being destructive on the body, the digestive system, respiratory and circulartory.)
walk, walk, walk, take up biking.. get active again.
put down the fork when you are SATISFIED not when you are full… and
many small meals during the day, not large meals! only eat when you are hungry.
no processed foods! that is the most important part…. a processed food diet is murder on the body.
learn about that.. read processed food america.. it’s a real eye opener.
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