Misconceptions About Obesity
By Paul Rothbart
Obesity is a condition of poor health that is not at all uncommon. About 36.5 percent of American adults are obese. The downside of those extra pounds has nothing to do with how you look or what size your clothing is. Obesity is an unhealthy condition. It has been linked to heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, cancer, and in total, over 60 chronic diseases. A big part of the problem is the number of misconceptions about obesity that are believed by many people. For a problem to be solved, it must be understood. Here are some of the myths about obesity.
Losing Weight Is Simply More Calories Burned Than Consumed
Losing weight can be very difficult for some people and yet so many oversimplify it. Eat less, exercise more. Calorie deficit. Burning more calories than you take in will, logically, make your body have to burn some of its fat stores but there are many other factors involved. The types of foods that supply those calories make a big difference. Some foods affect the hormones in the body that encourage weight gain. The key is to choose foods that fill you up while increasing your metabolism. Studies have shown that eating more proteins and fats while decreasing carbohydrates is a more efficient method of losing weight than merely creating a calorie deficit.
Losing Weight Will Make You Completely Healthy
Although it is true that getting down to a healthy weight reduces your risk of getting many chronic diseases, it's not going to fix everything. In fact, losing too much weight too quickly can adversely impact your health. Your metabolism can lower too much and you could lose muscle mass. Nutrition deficiencies are common as is poor sleep. Rapid weight loss can also contribute to gallstones. It is important to use a sensible weight loss plan and shed those pounds gradually, being sure that you are still getting proper nutrition daily.
The Most Important Measure Is How Many Pounds You Lose
Bodyweight is a number that can be used in determining the health of an individual. But many people become obsessed with it, believing that the most important thing they can do is to get down to a specific weight. How much you weigh is not nearly as important as how healthy you are overall. Other numbers such as blood pressure and cholesterol are far more important. Your level of physical activity, quality of your diet, and self-esteem and mental well-being are also more important markers of your health.
There is no question that obesity is unhealthy and potentially dangerous. But misunderstanding it will not help you improve your health. Know the proper way to lose weight and keep track of other more important markers of health.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Flagstaff, Ariz.