How to Lose Weight
Posted by: Marilyn Nelson on
Dec 9th, 2008 |
Filed under: easy ways to lose weight, how to lose weight
How to Lose Weight
How large is the weight loss industry? In todays society with so much emphasis placed on health and especially our weight, it will amaze you to know just how much money is spent by people wanting to know how to lose weight and trying to keep it off. There are so many diets and weight loss programs available today and many of them can be quite costly to the consumer. Is it any wonder that so many have jumped on the band wagon to take advantage of the increasing numbers of people needing to lose weight?
The problem of how to lose weight is not only a North American issue. In the United Kingdom a 2006 health study reported that about 25% of the adult population is obese. It is estimated that if this trend continues in Britain about 60% of men and 50% of women will be obese by 2050. The problem is even worse in the USA where one third of the adult population is obese. Even more concerning are the statistics for childhood obesity where the figures for the UK show that 18% of 2 – 15 year olds are obese and 14% are overweight. Clearly if something isn’t done to help these youngsters to lose weight fast then it is likely we will be looking at a possible 66% of obese youngsters by 2050.
Those who need to lose weight must do so due to the health problems that are resulting from being overweight. It is so much more than losing weight so that they can fit into smaller clothes or look aesthetically more attractive. They need to know how to lose weight so that they can avoid serious diseases such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.
For most people the problem of being overweight is usually not about not understanding how to lose weight but rather due to simply eating too much. It is not knowing how to lose weight.It is only a very small percentage of people who have a weight problem caused by other factors. So is it true that obesity is due purely to poor dietary habits? One of the reasons that many people fail to lose weight is that they eat too much of the wrong type of foods and don’t exercise enough. Too many energy dense fast foods that will just pile on the pounds coupled with an overdependence on cars and other forms of transport is basically a recipe for disaster and will do little to help the obese or overweight person lose weight.
The weight loss industry has one thing working in its favor. There are many researchers involved in conducting studies to try and understand more clearly how we can lose weight more effectively and keep this weight off. Recently researchers identified a variant of the FTO (fat mass and obesity related) gene and discovered that those carrying two copies of the gene weighed about half a stone more than those who did not. This may go some small way to explain why some of us put weight on more easily than others. However this finding is not to be used as an excuse for obesity. Although it may lead to new and more effective approaches to weight loss, the most sensible approach for all overweight people will always be to eat a well balanced healthy diet and get plenty of appropriate exercise. This way you will undoubtedly understand and know how to lose weight whether you have the gene of not.
Janet Matthews
skype me: lindajanetmatthews


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