Can Weight Loss Really Reverse The Diseases Associated with Obesity?

According to Dr. Toby Cosgrove, CEO of the Cleveland Clinic, who appeared on Fox News' On the Record, "It costs twice as much a year for health care for somebody who's obese than it does for somebody who's normal weight. It decreases the productivity of people, and it accounts for essentially 20 years of aging. In other words, if you're 40 years old and obese, it's equivalent to being 60 years old as far as health is concerned."  Dr. Cosgrove went on to say that smoking, obesity and lack of activity are the causes of 70% of the chronic diseases and 40% of premature deaths in the U.S. and that 9% of the cost of health care comes from obesity.

Obesity is determined by the body mass index or BMI.  There are BMI calculators online that will give you your body mass index instantly after entering your height and weight.  The BMI categories are as follows:

underweight = less than 18.5 normal weight = 18.5 - 24.9 overweight = 25 - 29.9 obese = 30 or greater

Dr. Cosgrove, CEO of the Cleveland Clinic, also had this to say, "You're 20 times more likely to have diabetes if you're obese. You're twice the incidence of heart disease, twice the incidence of cancer. I mean, it just goes right up.  And some people think that it is worth $50 a pound for how much you lose in the cost of health care."

How do we get fat? By being less active and eating more food, particularly more of the wrong foods or eating at the wrong times.

Dr. Cosgrove stated that it's not too late to reverse disease by losing weight, called disease reversal, and that high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol can all be reversed with weight loss.  According to him, the Cleveland Clinic employees (6000 of them) have lost a collective total of 90,000 pounds over the last six months with diet, exercise and lifestyle change!

Here are just some of the diseases that can come from obesity and can, therefore, be reversed or prevented with weight loss:

diabetes heart disease some forms of cancer sleep apnea back and joint problems increased tendency to contract infectious diseases high blood pressure stroke

Why is it so hard to achieve weight loss? It has to be a lifestyle change.  When it comes to effective weight loss every little bit counts, and that includes a proper nutrition program, a good workout program and some extra help with supplements.  

Losing weight can be challenging, confusing and emotionally consuming -- unless you have a plan.  If you have a plan that is designed specifically for you, with clear instructions on what to eat, when to eat, how much to eat and what to do when you "cheat" or your weight loss comes to a standstill and you follow that plan and incorporate some exercise, then your weight loss is guaranteed to happen and you will be on your way to preventing or reversing any or all of the diseases associated with obesity.

1. Prev:Lose Weight Fast with Half the Effort!
2. Next:5 Great Tips For A Healthy Teenage Weight Loss