The Health Benefits of Losing Weight
The benefits of losing weight are several. Weight loss helps in maintaining your cholesterol level at the optimum mark and also reduces the risk of high blood pressure.
Blood pressure is the major factor that causes heart disease and strokes. The other benefits of losing weight include reduction in the chances of contracting diseases such as Type II diabetes and heart ailments. It also increases a person’s life expectancy.
Losing weight may lower your blood pressure
Obese people run the risk of heart diseases such as heart attack, abnormal heart rhythm and congestive heart failure. High blood pressure or hypertension, is twice as common in adults who are overweight in comparison to those who have a healthy physique. Obesity is also related to the concentration of high triglycerides (blood fat) and reduced HDL cholesterol, also referred to as ‘good’ cholesterol.
A reduction of 5 to 10% in your weight can lessen the probability of developing heart disease or having a stroke. Weight loss also helps in improving triglycerides levels. Overweight people are also more prone to Type II diabetes.
Losing weight can decrease your chances of developing type 2 diabetes
The chances of getting this disease can be lowered by losing weight and increasing physical activity. Recent studies show that a 5 to 7% weight loss can avoid Type II diabetes for those who are more susceptible to the disease.
Losing weight can decrease your chance of developing some types of cancer
Being overweight also increases the risk of developing some kinds of cancer. In overweight women, there is an increased risk of developing uterus, gallbladder, cervix, ovary, postmenopausal breast and colon cancers.
Overweight men are at a higher risk of developing colon, rectum and prostate cancer. Hence, one of the benefits of losing weight is to lessen the chances of acquiring any of these diseases.
Sleep apnea, which results in interrupted breathing during sleep, is more frequent in overweight people. This problem can also make you sleepy during the day or cause heart failure. Research reveals that weight loss can reduce the problem or help eliminate it completely.
Reducing your weight can reduce your chance of contracting arthritis
Overweight people also run the risk of contracting arthritis. The chances of suffering from osteoarthritis, a disorder that affects the knee, hip and lower back joints, increases due to extra weight, as there is more pressure on these joints. Losing weight can decrease the pressure, thereby eliminating the chances of suffering from arthritis to a great extent.
Overweight pre-menopausal women may suffer from irregular menstrual cycles and infertility. They can also face complications during pregnancy, as being overweight leads to high blood pressure, which might result in the death of the baby, mother or both. Such women are also more prone to have gestational diabetes and face problems with labor and delivery.
Some additional benefits from losing weight
The benefits of losing weight also include increased energy level, reduced aches and pains, better mobility, improved breathing, prevention of angina (chest pain as a result of decreased oxygen to the heart) and improved blood sugar levels.
Lastly, extra pounds affect the quality of life. Obesity can result in depression and anxiety. On the whole, the more overweight you are, more are the chances of developing health problems.
Even a weight loss of 5 or 10 pounds can significantly reduce health risks. To lose weight and maintain it that way, attempt to make long-term changes in your eating habits and physical activity. Prior to starting any weight loss program, it is essential to consult a physician, as they can provide individual guidance on what will work best for you.
