To some people the word obesity just means fat. So why don't we just call people fat?
Well, for one reason, calling someone fat is not very nice.
Overweight, is a much better word to use but the problem is that overweight can mean a little overweight or a lot overweight. We still haven't been very nice to lump people with a few extra pounds, say, 3 pounds overweight, with people who are 40 pounds overweight.
So how do we identify someone who has gained just a few pounds from someone who has gained more weight?
Doctors wanted a way to let people know when their weight became a health issue so they determined that they needed a word to make that clear. So someone who was "out of shape" and a little overweight was different than someone who had a health risk by being a lot overweight.
So they decided to classify those people whose weight was clearly a health concern as obese. Only to have obesity become one of the major health concerns today In fact it has actually been called an epidemic.
Obesity is not a Seven Letter Word
Obesity is a word that means you are at risk of having health issues. In fact one of the main risks related to obesity is diabetes. Does it mean that the minute you become obese you automatically get diabetes. Of course not. If your doctor talks to you about obesity he is asking you to consider your health. Losing weight means you eliminate the health risks. Because the longer you are obese the higher your health risk becomes.
The typical measure of weight for most doctors is called the Body Mass Index or BMI for short. This BMI number was originally created by a doctor in Hollywood, for models and actors. So it is a much thinner standard than most of us live by. However it is based on a simple formula that uses your weight along with your height. If you get a calculated BMI number that is over 18 but stays under 25 you are considered to be in the right weight range.
Part of the problem is that this formula does not account for muscle mass. But unless you look a lot like Charles Atlas, you can't use that as an excuse. If your BMI is calculated to be greater than 25 you are considered overweight. That is until you get over 30, which is then considered to be obese.
Your Fate is sealed
The important thing to remember is the higher you are over 30, the higher the health risk and the longer you remain over 30 the health risk get even higher. So when we say health risk what do we really mean? We mean a higher probability of experiencing hypertension, cholesterol, asthma, arthritis, type 2 diabetes, liver problems, heart problems, and more.
Basically things don't look bright for people classified as obese.
But, are they a lost cause?
Certainly not!
With the right supplements, modest adjustments to diet and simple exercises. You can turn things around. You can get yourself out of the danger zone.
When you do, you will feel younger, happier, more energized and excited to share your success and new found figure. Give yourself a fighting chance.
