Studies reveal that nearly 40% of Americans are struggling with weight issues. According to data, about two-thirds of obese individuals try to lose weight.
Experts agree that losing even a little weight is beneficial since it promotes good health and overall quality of life. In this discussion, we explore the reasons weight loss is good for your physical and mental health.
1. It Is Good For Your Heart
People with excess weight or obesity are likely to develop cardiovascular complications such as heart disease even if they have no existing risk factors. Usually, excess weight exerts pressure on your heart and subsequently raises your cholesterol and blood pressure levels.
Additionally, fatty materials build up around your blood vessels or arteries that transport blood to other organs. A blockage is dangerous since it can damage the arteries leading to a heart attack.
More so, when you’re overweight, you will require more blood to nourish the body with essential nutrients and oxygen. Subsequently, your body will need more pressure to transport blood around and this raises blood pressure.
Hence, losing a little fat can boost your heart function, improve metabolism, and lower blood pressure. For individuals with a BMI over 40 then bariatric surgery may be an option. There are a number of options for surgical weight loss, gastric sleeve and bypass being some of the most common. Always consult your primary healthcare provider before making such a decision though as it may not be suitable to you.
2. Prevents or Delays Diabetes
Being obese raises the risk of developing type 2 diabetes which occurs when the body cannot use insulin as it should. Being overweight leads to stress and imbalances in your body.
The most notable is the body’s inability to maintain sufficient blood sugar levels. Further, being overweight can cause the body to become insulin resistant.
If you’re already overweight, the excess weight will require a higher insulin intake to absorb the excess sugar. On the other hand, if you have diabetes, the prolonged impact of insulin resistance can cause you to develop the illness.
Weight gain is also common in individuals taking insulin to treat diabetes. The more you inject your body with insulin to maintain blood sugar levels at normal levels, the more the cells absorb high glucose levels. Notably, the absorbed sugar is stored as fat and can increase weight.
There are several ways to treat diabetes, through lifestyle adjustments and medication. You can prevent or delay the onset of diabetes by changing your lifestyle, eating a healthier diet at fixed intervals and being physically active. Thus, shedding some pounds can help you manage diabetes if you’re overweight.
3. Good For Your Bone Health
There was a general belief that extra weight strengthens bones. But, studies have not been conclusive in backing up this theory. Nonetheless, being overweight is a concern for bone health, especially for senior citizens. Research has shown that excess weight reduces bone density and increases the risk of fractures.
Indeed, a sedentary lifestyle can dramatically reduce your bones’ strength leading to osteoporosis. It’s already out in the open that working out can strengthen your bones. However, weight lifting or jogging exercises can help reduce weight and strengthen the bones.
4. Can Help Keep Some Types of Cancer At Bay
Being overweight increases the risk of developing certain types of cancers. Research notes that obesity raises the risk of developing up to 13 types of cancers, such as cancer of the uterus, ovaries, thyroid, breast and colon.
As noted, adding more weight can lead to changes in your body which can induce chronic infections. You can reduce this risk by adopting healthy lifestyle choices related to diet and exercise. Also, early screening for obesity can help with behavioral interventions to lose weight.
5. Better Mental Health
As you already know, obesity is a complex health condition because of multiple factors such as medication, sedentary lifestyle and eating disorders. Not only does excess weight affect your physical health, but it also affects your mental health in a big way.
Several studies reveal that being overweight is associated with depression, anxiety and mood problems. Thus, obese people are more likely to suffer from one or more mental conditions.
At the same time, the image frequently associated with obesity causes social stigma and depression.
6. Improves Your Sleep
Did you know that excess weight has been associated with sleep problems? Experts note that excess weight can affect your sleep habits. Indeed, individuals who are obese sleep less compared with those with lower BMIs.
Sleep apnea is a dangerous condition reported in overweight individuals. The condition causes temporary breathing problems, thereby interrupting proper sleep.
Also, if you’re overweight, you’re likely to develop back problems that can affect your sleep quality. This list of fat burning supplements can help prevent the pelvis or lower back from leaning forward, which is a significant cause of back pain.
For this reason, whether through a change of diet or exercise, weight loss can improve your quality of sleep.
Conclusion
Losing weight can be challenging for most people because it requires changing eating habits and adapting workout activities. It can take time to cut down some weight which can be discouraging. Fortunately, you can lose weight by taking small steps and setting realistic goals. Also, it’s helpful to find a support system from your loved ones or online to motivate you in your weight loss journey.
Marko Rakic is a trail runner and fitness enthusiast from Sydney, Australia. He is the lead writer for The Ultimate Primate and believes the best way to live a happy life is through constantly challenging yourself.