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Many health conditions are linked to weighing too much. The more serious ones include:
Other problems linked to being overweight include:
- Masses that form in the gallbladder (gallstones)
- A form of arthritis that causes joint pain (gout and osteoarthritis)
- Breakdown of the substance between bone joints (osteoarthritis)
- Breathing problems during sleep (obstructive sleep apnea)
Obesity often brings emotional problems, like
depression and low self-esteem. Obesity’s emotional price may be due partly to how society views overweight people.
Weight-loss benefits
Of course, obesity affects how you look and feel. Losing weight can help you look and feel better.
Weight loss also lowers your risk of having health problems. Losing just 5% of your body weight can improve some health conditions, like high blood pressure and diabetes. This means that, if you weigh 220 pounds, losing 11 to 22 pounds can help improve your health.
Don’t try to lose too much weight too fast (no more than 3 pounds per week). Sudden weight loss may raise your risk of developing gallstones. It may also mean you aren’t getting all the nutrients your body needs.
Aim to take off one to two pounds a week. The best way to do that is to reduce your overall calories, and change your eating and exercise habits, not by going on a crash diet.
Also of Interest
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