Did you know that as your waistline grows, so do your chances of a medical related death? Yet most people who set out to lose weight do so in order to look better, rather than to live longer. Obesity is linked to many serious health concerns, and the fact that so many people are unaware should alarm you.

Perhaps the best weight loss program is to simply acknowledge the fact that your life could depend on a healthier lifestyle.

Perhaps the first step to “reshaping” your life is a few servings of information – regardless of how hard to swallow they may be.

According to recent statistics, approximately 67% of Canadian adults are overweight or obese. As if that weren’t drastic enough, the lifestyle habits of obesity are being passed down to the next generation. In the past 25 years, the percentage of children with obesity has tripled.

Because it is often associated with low self-esteem, obesity can be a sensitive topic. However, the reality of the obesity situation is that North America needs to take action now. The projected increase in obesity needs to be stopped, because the risks are extreme.

Obesity dramatically increases the risk of coronary heart disease, diabetes, gallbladder disease, high blood pressure, mental illness, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, and stroke.

In alarming addition, recent research has suggested that obesity increases the risk of certain types of cancer.

Despite all of these serious concerns, many people still believe the only reason to lose weight is to improve their appearance.

Obesity rates have been increasing for years, and they are not expected to slow down any time soon! It is easy to pinpoint the main reason for this: the North American obsession with convenience.

The typical North American lifestyle is a busy one. Our schedules are full, and our lives move quickly. Although fast food, fast transportation, and fast mindsets are beneficial to our schedules, they are detrimental to our health.

Our need to live a life of speed, regardless of the toll it takes on our heath, is undoubtedly contributing to the dangers of obesity.

Statistics show a recent decline in gym memberships, and a staggering increase in the video game market. We are putting personal entertainment as a higher priority than our own health. As a country we are becoming lazy.

The first step to combating obesity is becoming aware of the potentially deadly consequences. The second is to change your mindset.

Nothing is less convenient than death.

Consider your health as more than a simple asset to physical attraction. Your body is a machine; it works to keep you alive, and it’s vital that you provide it with every tool it needs to do its job.

Increased Health Risk of Heart Disease
The risk of heart attack, congestive heart failure, sudden cardiac death, angina or chest pain is increased in persons who are overweight or obese. High blood pressure is twice as common in adults who are obese than in those who are at a healthy weight. Obesity is associated with high triglycerides and decreased HDL cholesterol.

Increased Health Risk of Stroke
Atherosclerosis, or narrowing of the arteries, which may lead to the formation of an arterial blood clot, is an important pre-condition of many strokes. Atherosclerosis is accelerated by high blood pressure, smoking, high cholesterol and lack of exercise. Obesity, especially morbid obesity is frequently associated with a high-fat diet, raised blood pressure and lack of exercise. Thus obesity is now considered an important secondary risk factor for strokes.

Increased High Blood Pressure
This may then also lead to:

Headaches
Ear noise & buzzing
Tiredness
Shortness of breath
Excessive sweating
Confusion
Vision changes
Nose bleeds
Blood in urine
Kidney damage / failure
Strokes
Increased Health Risk of Type 2 Diabetes

A weight increase of 11-18 pounds raises a person’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes to twice that of individuals who have not gained weight. Over 80 percent of people with diabetes are overweight or obese. This may account for the newly invented word, “diabesity”, which signifies the close association between obesity and diabetes.

Increased Health Risk of Cancers
Obesity is associated with an increased risk for some types of cancer including endometrial (cancer of the lining of the uterus), colon, gall bladder, prostate, kidney, and post-menopausal breast cancer. Women gaining more than 20 pounds from age 18 to midlife double their risk of post-menopausal breast cancer, compared to women whose weight remains stable.

Increased risk of Erectile Dysfunction

This stressful disorder is often linked to Insulin Resistance, an imbalance in blood glucose and insulin levels associated with excess weight and obesity. Being overweight can place extra strain on the cardiovascular system and disrupt the delicate balance required to achieve an erection and, therefore, cause ED.

Excess insulin created by Insulin Resistance is implicated in ED because it damages the endothelium of cardiovascular vessels. The endothelium is the layer on the inside of the vessel which secretes chemical mediators that instruct the vessel to contract or relax. To achieve an erection, a release of nitric oxide from the endothelium creates vascular dilation, which allows vessels to fill with blood. This influx of blood is necessary to achieve an erection. Any decrease in nitric oxide supply to the penis caused by the insulin-damaged endothelium lessens or prevents vascular dilation and contributes to erectile dysfunction.

If neglected, excess weight gain can also lead to other conditions linked to ED like the cluster of increased risk factors for cardiovascular disease called Metabolic Syndrome (Syndrome X) as well as Pre-Diabetes, which, if neglected, can lead to irreversible Type 2 Diabetes. Between 35-50% of men with Diabetes experience ED because the disease can damage nerves and arteries, making it difficult to achieve an erection. However, major weight loss can be achieved can by reversing Insulin Resistance, thus removing major factors in the onset of ED.

As many as 70% of ED cases are caused by cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis. This disorder is a type of hardening of the arteries in which cholesterol, fat and other blood components build up in artery walls via poor diet and lack of regular exercise resulting in excess weight gain.

As the condition progresses, the arteries to the heart may narrow, reducing the flow of oxygen-rich blood and nutrients to the heart and brain. This restriction can also reduce blood flow to the tissues of the penis, causing ED.

Other excess weight and obesity-linked cardiovascular diseases that can cause ED are hypertension (high blood pressure) and high levels of triglycerides and LDL “bad” cholesterol in combination with low levels of HDL “good” cholesterol – all factors in reversible Metabolic Syndrome.

Increased Health Risk of Fatty Liver Disease
The main cause of non alcoholic fatty liver disease is insulin resistance, a metabolic disorder in which cells become insensitive to the effect of insulin. One of the most common risk factors for insulin resistance is obesity, especially central abdominal obesity. Studies indicate a correlation between body mass index (BMI) and the degree of liver damage. The higher the BMI the worse the liver disease.

Obesity is a Risk Factor for Chronic Venous Insufficiency
Although obesity is not a direct cause of chronic venous insufficiency, it is an important risk factor. This is because obesity, especially morbid obesity, leads to raised blood pressure, a sedentary lifestyle and musculoskeletal problems (hampering mobility and use of leg muscles), all of which are contributory factors in the development of chronic venous insufficiency. Obese patients also have an increased health risk of other vascular disorders (eg. lower-limb ischemia), caused by inadequate blood flow to the extremities.

Increased Health Risk of Gallbladder Disease
The risk of gallstones is approximately 3 times greater for obese patients than in non-obese people. Indeed, the risk of symptomatic gallstones appears to correlate with a rise in body mass index (BMI).

Increased Health Risk of Breathing Problems
Obstructive sleep apnea (that is, interrupted breathing during sleeping) is more common in obese persons. Obesity is associated with a higher prevalence of asthma and severe bronchitis, as well as obesity hypoventilation syndrome and respiratory insufficiency.

Obesity and Deep Vein Thrombosis
Risk factors for deep vein thrombosis include prior history of the disease, vascular damage, hypertension and predisposition to blood clotting. Although obesity (BMI 30+) has traditionally been recognized as a risk factor for deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, experts now consider that the evidence supporting this association is inadequate, as much depends on other factors such as history, illness, immobility, and age.

Increased Health Risk of Arthritis
Musculoskeletal disorders, including osteoarthritis, are much more prevalent among obese patients, especially patients diagnosed with severe clinical or morbid obesity. Health studies show that obesity is a strong predictor for symptoms of osteoarthritis, especially in the knees. The risk of osteoarthritis increases with every 2-pound gain in weight.

Increased Health Risks for Expectant Mother and Baby
Obesity has a strong detrimental effect on the health of both mother and new-born baby, both during and after pregnancy. Obesity while pregnant is associated with a higher risk of death in both the baby and the mother. It also raises the risk of high blood pressure in the Mom, by 10 times. Obesity during pregnancy is also associated with an increased risk of birth defects, such as spina bifida. Obesity-related health problems occurring after childbirth include higher risk of wound and endometrial infection, endometritis and urinary tract infection.

We have been talking about obesity for a long time. We all aware that obesity is a major epidemic that grows fast in the society. Obesity is a serious health problem that everyone should be aware of. When a person is obese or overweight it simply means that there is something wrong with their diet.

Obesity is defined as condition in which the natural energy reserve, are stored in the fatty tissue of humans and other mammals and is increased to a point where it is associated with certain health conditions or increased mortality.

Do you believe that because of obesity lots of cases of suicide attempts and people who have committed suicide are growing in numbers. These are a reality that everyone should know.

Obesity has a big role in affecting one’s personality. Your feelings, emotions, and ideas are merely affected when you’re obese.

Other people are just aware that obesity only affects your health problems. They never came to realized that emotional problems are also linked to obesity. One of these is depression. When you’re obese you tend to become more depress because of the negative thinking that arises in your mind. Because of obesity there will be times that you feel you’re unwanted and do not belong in the society. Most obese people feel that their rejected and looks unattractive because of these things they feel shy to mingle with others or just afraid to have a social life. When one person loses her or his confidence to adapt to other people they begin to be pessimist and eccentric. They become thinking like paranoids. All these leads to depression which later can result in to suicide attempts. Obesity is an illness that needs serious treatment and discipline.

So what can we do to prevent obesity and bring back the lost confidence you once have.

Well the first thing you could do is first weigh yourself. You should know your present weight to be able to know what your target weight is in the future. You should set a goal for yourself for a period of time. You must set your mind that you really need discipline to be able to reach your goal. Then secondly, you can consult your doctors and ask for remedies or medications that can help treat obesity. Most weight loss remedies are appetite suppressant. These help you promote weight loss by decreasing your appetite. It gives you the feeling that you’re always full and not hungry at all. These remedies help increase the serotonin and catecholamine which are known to be brain chemicals which can affect a person’s mood and appetite.

So what are the benefits that one obese person can get in to herbal remedies. The said remedy can help lower your blood pressure, blood cholesterol and triglycerides. It also helps decrease the insulin resistance over a short period of time.

Obese people may be too dependent or be abusive in using these remedies. They lose their lack of will to change their eating habits and do activities that can help them sweat because of their dependence on the said herbal remedy. This herbal remedy can work effectively if you do it with balanced diet and exercise.

The airline passenger bill of rights is a document that sheds light on your and my right as an airline passenger. Further, there is additional guidance that covers passenger disabilities such as obese airline passengers and ones that require wheelchair assistance.

Here are some tips for obese passengers. I have been contacted several times by overweight passengers and most recently by a few passengers with disabilities.

They had some very reasonable concerns. One asked “what should a fat airline passenger” keep in mind when traveling. To which I responded a couple important things.

First, to ensure you are given a seat assignment well ahead of time. If you call ahead (or upon booking) and inform the airline company that you are an overweight passenger, or a passenger with disabilities (which obesity is), then you should be able to get the seat of your choice.

Second, always ask for a seatbelt extender and that it be placed on your seat. This will ensure you don’t have to ask for it when boarding the plane. It will save you the embarrassment if you are embarrassed of your weight.

Airline passenger complaints are on the rise and that is no secret. But are you aware of your rights as a traveler? When you buy an airfare, you are entering into a contract with the carrier. The rules are often stated in your ticket/itinerary upon booking.

Many passengers are not aware of this. In any case, whether you are aware of your rights or not, if you feel you have been mistreated during your trip, you can sue the airline in small claims court. These courts exist for the sole purpose of resolving petty claims, such as most travel claims that result from airline abuse and mistreatment.

Passenger weight management is a concern for air carriers. They ensure proper weight balance on each flight segment, so sometimes you will have to go with the seat they assign you. They key is to ask early! Know your passenger rights, especially if you are one of the obese passengers.

Increases are particularly noted in the incidence of cardiovascular disease, colon cancer, diabetes, fatty liver, and kidney disease.

A larger than expected number of obese children become adults who rank lower than their peers in terms of income, education, freedom from poverty, and emotional stability.

The rationale for these findings is directly related to two issues: First: the majority of obese children and adolescents become obese, or overweight, adults.

(Bad habits can be very hard to break, so be very aware of your child’s eating habits).

Also, this is likely because poor eating habits in childhood have carried over into adulthood, coupled with the already higher risk of disease because of predisposition resulting from childhood obesity.

Second: there appears to be an abnormal or irregular depositing of body fat during growth and development of an obese child.

This pattern can remain into adulthood.

These are adequate reasons for us to stamp out childhood obesity. However, there is a yet more compelling reason to do so.

The health of our overweight and obese children is also in jeopardy…right now, while they are still kids!

Fat kids have a higher incidence of diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and triglycerides, changes in bone metabolism and hormone regulation, fatty liver, sleep apnea, neurological deficit, gall stones, depression and self-esteem issues…and these are only some of the risks!

Children gain weight for the same reasons that adults do…intake of more calories (food) than is necessary for the proper functioning of the body. The excess calories are laid down as fat tissue.

In order to achieve and maintain caloric balance, your child must learn lifestyle habits that will maximize the likelihood of wellness for a lifetime.

Lifestyle changes that will result in weight loss have to do with fewer calories and more exercise…period!

Don’t buy into fad diets for yourself or your children. You all need to eat “normal food” together. Don’t consider pills or programs that require you to eat separately from the rest of your family. How long is that going to last? Even if you lose weight, what happens when you go back to a regular diet? The weight will come right back…that’s what will happen.

Please read all you can to get whatever information you need to take parental responsibility before it’s too late for your child. Remember, he/she is not mature enough to make the proper choices to achieve or maintain weight control.

The study found that the primary indicator of childhood obesity was obese parents. Parents set a primary example in all things for their kids and nutritional habits along with activity are no exception. Our country, in fact all developed countries, are getting fatter. Obesity is on the rise and nearly 70% of Americans are overweight or obese. We are growing comfortable with our girth and accepting it as normal. We are passing that attitude to our children.

Another common trait found among children who suffer obesity from an early age is eight hours a week or more of TV. These are findings relevant to very small children and are critical because watching TV promotes sedentary lifestyle and programs younger children to be entertained instead of seeking activity. As TV and video entertainment has become more ingrained in our culture we are desynthisized to how much time our kids spend just sitting around. This is not just limited to younger children but older kids and adults. This is another habit or culture that needs scrutiny.

Our society is functioning on less and less sleep. Adults sleep less trying to do more with each day and kids sleep less because of the many entertainment options. Lack of sleep has been conclusively liked to over weight and obesity. This habit can be broken while at the same time fortifying the familial relationship. Less TV and more family interaction including sports, board games and reading together will tackle a number of challenges facing the modern family

Obesity and childhood obesity can be caused by a number of environmental factors and even physiological causes can be mitigated with behavior. Of course, obese parents create a default environment for obese children. That’s not to say that it is deliberate or even a sign of ambivalence or neglect. Many are truly unaware how to deal with overweight and obesity or are confused so much information bombing them from all directions. A confused mind says “no” and the confusion about weight loss often promotes inaction.

Obesity is typically classified as a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or more. Over 35 reaching the classification of morbid obesity. Your doctor or a competent wellness coach can help you determine your BMI but most people are already well aware if they are overweight and if they are unsure about being obese, they at least know they are heavier than they should be. This is not a judgment but an illustration that if the habits and culture of your home and family have created weight management problems for you as a parent then it is more likely that you will pass those habits to your child.

Study after study has demonstrated that obesity is a significant threat to longevity and good health, but many people are not even aware that they are medically obese – the generally accepted definition of obesity is over 25% body fat for men, and over 32% body fat for women. An estimated 20% of American adults fit this profile.

The problem only gets worse with time: The average American adult puts on about a pound a year after the age of 25, meaning that by middle-age many people have put on 25 pounds or more. To make matters worse, your metabolism naturally slows down as you age, while at the same time, sedentary adults tend to lose one pound of lean muscle mass every year from inactivity, depressing metabolism even more.

The dangers of excess body fat range from insulin resistance and diabetes to heart disease and cancer, and the cause-and-effect relationship is not difficult to understand: If you are overweight, your heart has to work that much harder to supply fresh blood to the body, making everything from moving around to simple breathing more of an effort. Over time, this extra effort takes its toll, resulting in damage to the heart muscle.

Obesity also comes with a greater risk of high cholesterol, which can increase the chances of developing arteriosclerosis, in which the blood flow in the arteries is slowly choked off by plaque deposits, depriving internal organs of adequate blood supply and forcing the heart to pump harder, raising blood pressure. A full 25% of heart problems today can be traced directly to obesity.

While many people may be aware that obesity can damage the heart, few are aware that it can also result in a higher risk for cancer – in men, being overweight comes with a higher risk of prostate and colon cancer, while in women the risk of uterine and breast cancer is significantly higher. It is believed that excess body fat serves as storage for carcinogenic toxins in the body, and these toxins can leach from fat packed around the internal organs.

Did you know that as your waistline grows, so do your chances of a medical related death? Yet most people who set out to lose weight do so in order to look better, rather than to live longer. Obesity is linked to many serious health concerns, and the fact that so many people are unaware should alarm you.

Perhaps the best weight loss program is to simply acknowledge the fact that your life could depend on a healthier lifestyle.

Perhaps the first step to “reshaping” your life is a few servings of information – regardless of how hard to swallow they may be.

According to recent statistics, approximately 67% of Canadian adults are overweight or obese. As if that weren’t drastic enough, the lifestyle habits of obesity are being passed down to the next generation. In the past 25 years, the percentage of children with obesity has tripled.

Because it is often associated with low self-esteem, obesity can be a sensitive topic. However, the reality of the obesity situation is that North America needs to take action now. The projected increase in obesity needs to be stopped, because the risks are extreme.

Obesity dramatically increases the risk of coronary heart disease, diabetes, gallbladder disease, high blood pressure, mental illness, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, and stroke.

In alarming addition, recent research has suggested that obesity increases the risk of certain types of cancer.

Despite all of these serious concerns, many people still believe the only reason to lose weight is to improve their appearance.

Obesity rates have been increasing for years, and they are not expected to slow down any time soon! It is easy to pinpoint the main reason for this: the North American obsession with convenience.

The typical North American lifestyle is a busy one. Our schedules are full, and our lives move quickly. Although fast food, fast transportation, and fast mindsets are beneficial to our schedules, they are detrimental to our health.

Our need to live a life of speed, regardless of the toll it takes on our heath, is undoubtedly contributing to the dangers of obesity.

Statistics show a recent decline in gym memberships, and a staggering increase in the video game market. We are putting personal entertainment as a higher priority than our own health. As a country we are becoming lazy.

The first step to combating obesity is becoming aware of the potentially deadly consequences. The second is to change your mindset.

Obesity is not only a leading health problem, but a serious health hazard that needs to be tackled immediately before it starts creating more serious problems in your life. The increase in weight brings an increased risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, cancer and shorter life expectancy. The risks of obesity are immense. Making people aware of these dangers helps prevent obesity by controlling the basic factors that lead to it. By adopting the required preventive measures, obese people can retain their health and live a long enjoyable life.

Here is an overview of the main dangers of obesity:

*Heart disease and strokes are the main causes of disability among people and can even turn life threatening at times. Obese people are at higher risk of heart failure, heart attack and stroke.

*Obesity can also lead to diabetes. This illness reduces the ability of the body to control the sugar levels in the blood. Diabetes is dangerous as it can damage organs and cause death. Thus, eating foods that help keep the blood sugar levels normal is essential. Otherwise you may end up suffering from diabetes and fail to live a healthy life, as diabetic people have low immunity and develop health problems quickly.

*Obese women are at higher risk of gall bladder cancer, ovarian cancer and breast cancer. Obese men are more likely to develop colorectal and prostate cancer than those males with normal weight. These are the possible dangers that overweight women and men face. Researchers suggest that the presence of more fat in the body results in hormonal imbalances that may lead to cancer. The important thing is that by losing weight, you can reduce your risk of cancer.

*Overweight people exert additional pressure on their knees and lower back joints. This results in the thinning of the cartilage. In turn, these people are at higher risk of suffering from osteoarthritis.

*Obesity may also cause breathing problems. These end up affecting the sleeping pattern of the individual. Overweight people are more likely to suffer from sleep apnea. They might snore heavily and stop breathing for short periods during the night.

*Arteriosclerosis is another danger of obesity. It is a result from the increase in the cholesterol levels in the arterial blood vessels. As the cholesterol builds up, plaque is formed inside the arteries. They become narrower and harder. In this way, the blood flow gets disrupted and forces your heart to pump harder increasing your blood pressure. The heart muscle is affected as well. In turn, you are more likely to suffer from heart failure and a heart attack.

*The problems associated with obesity get worse with time because as you age, your metabolism slows down. You also start to lose one pound of lean muscle each year due to inactivity. The possible dangers of obesity leading from heart diseases to cancer become more serious with time. So, it is better for you to take control over the situation and try to adopt good eating habits and adopt an active lifestyle to stay fit and healthy and cut down your body fat.

The study found that the primary indicator of childhood obesity was obese parents. Parents set a primary example in all things for their kids and nutritional habits along with activity are no exception. Our country, in fact all developed countries, are getting fatter. Obesity is on the rise and nearly 70% of Americans are overweight or obese. We are growing comfortable with our girth and accepting it as normal. We are passing that attitude to our children.

Another common trait found among children who suffer obesity from an early age is eight hours a week or more of TV. These are findings relevant to very small children and are critical because watching TV promotes sedentary lifestyle and programs younger children to be entertained instead of seeking activity. As TV and video entertainment has become more ingrained in our culture we are desynthisized to how much time our kids spend just sitting around. This is not just limited to younger children but older kids and adults. This is another habit or culture that needs scrutiny.

Our society is functioning on less and less sleep. Adults sleep less trying to do more with each day and kids sleep less because of the many entertainment options. Lack of sleep has been conclusively liked to over weight and obesity. This habit can be broken while at the same time fortifying the familial relationship. Less TV and more family interaction including sports, board games and reading together will tackle a number of challenges facing the modern family

Obesity and childhood obesity can be caused by a number of environmental factors and even physiological causes can be mitigated with behavior. Of course, obese parents create a default environment for obese children. That’s not to say that it is deliberate or even a sign of ambivalence or neglect. Many are truly unaware how to deal with overweight and obesity or are confused so much information bombing them from all directions. A confused mind says “no” and the confusion about weight loss often promotes inaction.

Obesity is typically classified as a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or more. Over 35 reaching the classification of morbid obesity. Your doctor or a competent wellness coach can help you determine your BMI but most people are already well aware if they are overweight and if they are unsure about being obese, they at least know they are heavier than they should be. This is not a judgment but an illustration that if the habits and culture of your home and family have created weight management problems for you as a parent then it is more likely that you will pass those habits to your child.