Data from the U.S Department of Health and Human Services shows that at least two-thirds of Americans are overweight or obese. Despite spirited efforts to encourage the public to adopt a healthier lifestyle, obesity rates have remained steady since 2003. To contribute towards eradicating this health menace, OneLife Health and Performance in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida has developed a medical weight loss program that can help you get rid of the weight for good.

Obesity: Causes and Risks

Some causes of adult obesity are influenced by individual factors while others are influenced by societal factors. Individual factors that lead to obesity include physical activity (or lack thereof), dietary choices, medication, and genetics. Societal factors include food marketing and promotion, food and physical activity environment, and education and skills.

Obesity is closely linked to other health conditions such as stroke, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some types of cancer. As such, obesity is considered the biggest killer in the United States. It also affects the quality of life of millions of people and leads to poor mental health. Besides causing many deaths, obesity also forces countries to bear huge medical costs. For example, in 2008, the annual medical cost of obesity reached $147 billion in the United States alone.

Causes of Obesity

Poor Lifestyle choices

An unhealthy dietary pattern and inadequate physical activity are the biggest contributors to obesity. When the amount of calories gained from food intake continuously surpasses the number of calories used in daily activities, it leads to an unhealthy weight gain.

Community Environment

The community environment where one grows and lives has a huge impact on behavior and life choices. For example, a person may want to take up cycling or walking as a hobby or as a physical exercise, but this might be impossible if their neighborhood lacks safe bike trails or sidewalks.

Such a person may easily become overweight because their community environment does not support the physical activities that might keep them fit. Additional community environmental factors that may cause obesity include school, healthcare resources, home and workplace environments, and lack of childcare options.

Genetics

Sometimes life just deals you a bad hand. Researchers have found that some people are genetically predisposed to obesity. These people are more likely to become overweight because of their genetic makeup. Since our genes influence how our bodies respond to certain environmental changes, these people have little to no control over what happens in their bodies.

For example, some genes activate feelings of hunger even when one is full, prompting the person to eat more than they need to. Dieticians often note that one’s family health history can provide insight into unusual eating habits.

Diseases and Drugs

Poor lifestyle choices and genetics are not the only causes of adult obesity. Some people are more susceptible to being overweight because of an underlying medical condition or because of the continuous use of certain medications. Medical conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome and Cushing’s disease are known to cause unhealthy weight gain. Similarly, people who use some drugs, such as steroids and some antidepressants, often notice a significant weight gain.

Risks Associated With Obesity

High Blood Pressure

As you become bigger, your heart has to work harder to pump blood wherever it is needed in your body. The more strenuous this exercise is, the higher the risk of developing high blood pressure. Excessive fat deposits also prevent the kidneys from working properly, further increasing your risk of developing high blood pressure since kidneys are responsible for regulating blood pressure.

High blood is a serious medical condition because besides causing devastating health complications such as heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure. It has no symptoms.

Type 2 Diabetes

9 out of 10 people who are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes are either overweight or obese. Although medical researchers are yet to understand clearly the link between obesity and type 2 diabetes, the accepted explanation is that people who are overweight or obese experience some changes in the cells.

These changes make their cells resistant to the insulin hormone. In healthy people, insulin transfers sugar from the blood to the cells where it is then converted to energy. When one becomes insulin resistant, they struggle to turn sugar into energy, leading to high blood sugar.

Heart Disease

Heart disease is a general term that refers to several health conditions that affect the heart. Such conditions include hardening and narrowing of blood vessels and other factors that might prevent the heart from performing its designated duties, like pumping blood.

Heart disease leads to other serious health complications such as heart attack, heart failure, chest pains, cardiac death, and abnormal heart rhythm. Heart disease is caused by other health conditions linked with being overweight or obese such as high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and high cholesterol levels.

Stroke

A stroke occurs when the flow of blood to the brain cells is suddenly interrupted. The most common type of stroke is ischemic stroke, which is caused by an abrupt blockage (blood clot) of arteries that supply blood to the brain. Another common type of stroke in the hemorrhagic stroke, which occurs when one of the blood vessels in the brain ruptures. Although the leading cause of stroke is high blood pressure, other health conditions associated with obesity, such as heart disease, high cholesterol, and high blood sugar, also increase the risk of suffering a stroke.

Fatty Liver Disease

Formally known as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, fatty liver disease is a health condition caused by excessive deposits of fat in the liver. This leads to complications such as liver cirrhosis, severe liver damage, and liver failure.

Cancer

Cancer is a disease in which abnormal cells grow uncontrollably and destroy body tissues. It is the second leading cause of death in the United States. Being overweight or obese exposes one to an increased risk of getting cancer. According to health professionals, hormones from fat cells may interfere with the composition of cells, leading to cancer. Unhealthy weight gain makes you vulnerable to the following cancers in particular:

• Kidney
• Colon and rectum
• Endometrium
• Breast
• Gallbladder

Pregnancy Problems

Being overweight or obese increases the risk of developing complications during pregnancy. These complications may have a long-lasting negative impact on both the mother and the baby. A woman who is overweight or obese is more vulnerable to preeclampsia and gestational diabetes and is more likely to need a C-section. The baby is more susceptible to neural tube defects, stillbirth, or being born too soon. Additionally, the baby is more likely to become overweight or obese later in life.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a potentially serious medical condition in which breathing stops and starts repeatedly. Excessive fat deposits around the neck block the airways, interrupting the breathing pattern and causing one to snore loudly. In extreme cases, victims are unable to breathe for a while. The excess fat around the neck and other parts of the body may trigger inflammations that cause sleep apnea.

What Is Medical Weight Loss? 9 Essential Things to Know

As we have mentioned earlier, obesity is the leading cause of death in the United States. However, despite efforts from various parties to reduce cases of obesity among the population, there has been little to no progress. Many professionals and authority figures believe the reason these efforts are not bearing fruit is that we are still relying on old, traditional solutions.

While some people have no problem shedding off a few pounds whenever they require, the majority, as the numbers show, struggle with weight loss. They often find that weight-loss diets and exercise routines do not deliver the desired results. To help such people realize their weight-loss goals, health professionals now offer medical weight loss programs. Here’s what you need to know:

You Get a Customized Weight Loss Plan

Everyone has different weight-loss goals and needs. Therefore, achieve medical weight loss programs are designed to meet the specific goals and needs of every person. To achieve this, we review your medical history and inquire about your lifestyle choices. This information helps us to design a weight-loss program that matches your weight-loss goals. Additionally, we find ways to incorporate your dietary and physical activity preferences into your weight-loss program to make the entire exercise as easy and as fun as possible.

There Is No Surgery Involved

While some people have no qualms going under the knife to achieve their weight loss goals, others shudder at the thought. Some people incorrectly assume that a medical weight loss program involves one type of surgery or another. We can offer weight loss solutions that do not require surgery. However, we can also suggest minimal procedures such as lap band and gastric bypass surgery as alternatives in case all other non-surgical options fail.

Despite the effectiveness of surgical options, they pose some minimal risks and prolong the recovery process, and we can help you avoid these risks in most cases with a non-surgical intervention.

You Learn Safe and Effective Exercise Techniques

If exercises are not done correctly, and safe exercise practices are not adhered to, it might lead to long-term physical difficulties. To avoid this, professionals supervise all exercises in the initial stages to ensure the clients do not hurt themselves. Besides ensuring the safety of the client, professionals also provide workout routines that deliver the maximum desired results. This is especially helpful to clients who know what they want but do not know how to get there. Using your medical history, we design programs that cover special conditions such as physical form, chronic pain, fitness levels, and heart conditions.

You Get Advice on Weight-Related Health Problems

As we have mentioned above, there are several health complications linked with being overweight or obese. In a medical weight loss program, professionals monitor your situation and offer you advice on any related complications. For example, if you are suffering from high blood pressure or diabetes, we offer you professional advice on how to handle these conditions with less medication. We keep an eye on your progress and suggest possible reductions of dosages.

There Is Constant Motivational Support

Many people do not achieve their weight loss goals because they give up before they get there. Losing weight is a long process that requires determination and discipline. While working out at your local gym, you might be tempted to skip some days without the instructor or trainer noticing. However, in a medical weight loss program, we constantly remind you why you started in the first place. We also encourage you every step of the way till you achieve your goals. Once you enroll to the program, we celebrate every milestone you reach on your way to the finish line.

Extra Help Is Available for Eating Disorders

Sometimes you cannot keep away from food even though you know it will do you more harm than good, especially if you are trying to lose weight. Uncontrollable eating habits often turn into eating disorders that can impede your efforts to lose weight. To help you avoid this, our program connects you with a counselor who will work with you to fight off the temptations and craving that prevent you from achieving your weight loss goals.

You’ll Get Help With Hunger and Cravings

Once you are able to control your eating habits, we help you deal with hunger and cravings. To achieve this, we provide you with a protein and fiber-based dietary routine that keeps you full for longer periods of time. Additionally, we come up with safe and authentic techniques to speed up your metabolism, reduce hunger, and curb any cravings you may have.

You Have Access to Prescription Medications if Needed

Joining our weight loss program gives you access to safe prescription medications. While you might never need them, knowing they are available might provide some relief. Prescription medications complement dietary and exercise routines for clients who want quick results. A professional reviews your medical history and compares your progress with your weight loss goals before writing you a prescription. However, it is important to note that prescription medications are not substitutes for a healthy diet and regular exercise. They all work together to deliver the best results.

There Are Amazing Health and Aesthetic Results

Since you receive regular progress reports and feedback from our specialists, you can always feel and see the efforts of your hard work, determination, and discipline. Although the results might not be visible after the first week, you will start feeling healthier almost immediately. After a while, you will also feel more energetic with a renewed interest in activities you love. Eventually, you will acquire healthier habits that will contribute to your emotional and physical wellbeing.

Take Action

Being overweight or obese exposes you to serious health complications. It reduces the quality of your life in many ways and can easily lead to death. You are more likely to die from unhealthy weight than in a car crash or in a gun-related incident. While the government and other agencies are working hard to combat this health crisis, all their efforts will be futile if individuals do not take action to lose unhealthy weight.

Traditional weight loss methods have worked for some people in the past, but if the number of people who are overweight or obese is something to go by, it is time to think about other solutions that work for everyone. Take action and take charge of your health by enrolling in a medical weight loss near me program. For more information about this weight loss program, contact One Life Health and Performance in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida today to learn more and get started.