Obesity's Physical, Emotional and Social Costs

Make no mistake, obesity takes a physical, emotional and social toll on your body and health. This ends up costing you much more than doctor bills. It affects everything you attempt to do in life and may ultimately cost you your life.

Even though obesity and overweight has become "more normal" in our society, it does not make it a good thing. It ends up costing everyone in our society because of lost productivity in the workplace (increases product costs) and passed-through medical costs affecting our medical insurance policies.

A study on obesity is misleading, if you believe the numbers. This obesity study was reported on in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

It is true that you can make numbers say whatever you want them to say. Mathematically, the numbers are correct according to the way the research was performed. But, they did not reveal the whole truth about obesity and its effects on your health.

The research claims that your chances of dying from cancer or heart disease does not increase if you carry up to 25 extra pounds. The study DID NOT consider all of the relevant factors. DON'T BELIEVE THESE RESULTS.

Here are the basic methodologies the researchers used to compile their results and my assessment:

1) The study was based on body mass index (BMI) and not body composition. BMI looks at overall body fat, whereas body composition reveals where you are fat.

Abdominal fat (visceral) is the worst kind of fat and it has been proven to spread toxins into the internal organs which leads to health problems such as heart disease and cancer.

2) The study accounted for total deaths instead of accounting for specific causes of death. As I just mentioned above, abdominal fat has been proven to lead to serious health problems.

3) The study was limited to death and did not examine the other problems caused by obesity. The physiological, sociological, and psychological effects of obesity have a great effect on your health.

4) The researchers didn't consider physical fitness and diet in their methodology. Fitness and diet affects everything, including how overweight or underweight we may be.

My message to you is this: It's always wise to take the safest route in any situation. Common sense tells us what "complete research" has already proven: if you are overweight or obese, you will eventually have health problems (and other problems) which could lead to your death.

1. Prev:The Zone of Weight Loss Success
2. Next:Getting in the Zone: Optimal Heart Rates for Fat Burning