What Facts Should I Know about Weight Loss and Control?

Obesity is not simply the accumulation of excess body fat. Obesity is a chronic (long-term) disease with serious complications that is very difficult to treat. As such, it requires long-term treatment to lose weight and keep it off. There is no overnight solution. Effective, permanent weight loss takes some time.

The essential factors in losing weight and keeping it off are motivation, proper eating, exercise habits, and an appreciation of better health. Losing weight will help you feel better. It also will improve your health.

Obesity is the second leading cause of preventable deaths in the United States (tobacco is the first). People who are obese have much higher risks of many serious health problems than nonobese people. The most devastating of these health problems include the following:

Heart disease

Diabetes

High

Blood pressure

Stroke

Osteoarthritis

Gallstones Lung disease and sleep apnea

Colon cancer

Endometrial cancer

Depression

How much weight do you have to lose before you notice?

The good news is that you don't have to reach your ideal weight to lower your risk of developing obesity-related medical problems.

Losing even 10% of your total body weight can significantly lower your risk.If you weigh 250 pounds and lose 10% of your total body weight, losing those 25 pounds can have a meaningful positive effect on your health.Losing 10% of your total body weight is a good goal to start with. You can always continue and lose more weight once you have reached your initial goal.