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Statistics show that millions of Americans are overweight. Obesity has become a national epidemic and worldwide has become increasingly problematic. Many people find that they continually overeat and feel hungry even shortly after they have finished a meal. Often they experience cravings for various foods that tend to be carbohydrate or sugar based. Our food choices tend toward high levels of sugar, fats and processed foods that create an imbalance in our bodies. Part of the solution is to reassess your diet. You have to determine which foods you are consuming that are unhealthy and contribute to weight problems. Changing your diet to a balanced blend of high quality nutritional foods will help you to lose weight and become healthier as well. Understanding Obesity: Obesity creates an extremely high health risk for developing numerous diseases. A growing concern is the rising levels of childhood obesity. Being overweight affects people's health both physically and psychologically. Research has shown a higher incidence of depression and poor self esteem linked to individuals who are significantly overweight. Obesity related diseases such as diabetes and heart disease can be potentially avoided by controlling one's weight. Weight standards are based on a scale known as the "BMI" or Body Mass Index. This chart can be found online and provides a weight range based on numerous factors to determine what constitutes being overweight. In general, obesity means being 30% over the ideal weight listed for your height, or a bmi of more than 30. Causes of Obesity:The basic premise for being overweight is taking in more calories than your body needs. Usually this is due to eating a diet that is high in fats and sugars. Additionally, living a lifestyle that involves little to no physical activity is very common among overweight people. Our busy lifestyles of work and various other responsibilities often leave little time for exercise. But it is important to incorporate physical fitness into one's life in order to become healthy and fit. Sometimes there are issues involved such as hormonal imbalances. It is important to work closely with your medical doctor when you are overweight to see exactly what the root causes of your weight problems may be. Diseases Linked to Obesity: There are various diseases linked to being overweight. Diabetes: People with type 2 diabetes commonly are overweight. In this type of diabetes the body does not produce enough insulin. The more overweight an individual is, the more difficult it becomes for insulin to control blood sugar levels. Over time this imbalance could trigger the right conditions for developing type 2 diabetes. It also complicates the actual treatment program if you are already diabetic because being overweight contributes to this insulin resistance factor. Heart Disease: Being overweight can also lead to heart problems over time. This in part may be due to obesity's affect on cholesterol levels. Higher percentages of body fat can raise "ldl" cholesterol levels and lower "hdl" cholesterol levels. Ldl cholesterol is known as the "bad cholesterol", while hdl cholesterol is known as the "good cholesterol". The effect of excessive body weight can impact cholesterol in an unhealthy way and create a pathway to the potential development of heart disease. Obesity is also linked to high blood pressure as blood pressure naturally rises as body weight increases beyond what is ideal for a particular individual. Weight Loss Strategies: Focus on nutrition: A human body craves balance and instinctively seeks proper nutrition for good health. Most people are not getting the nutrients their body needs and often the nutrients become depleted because of lifestyle issues like too much stress, lack of adequate sleep and limited physical activity. The result will be a tendency to overeat as the body is trying to obtain the nutrients it requires. Eating should be foremost about getting the right nutrients into your body. Stress: A key element is losing weight is to recognize areas of your life that are creating stress on your body. Work on lowering your stress levels. Find ways to make healthy changes that will reduce stress. Sleep is vital to good health. Ensure that you get consistent, quality sleep on a nightly basis. Exercise should be a part of a healthy lifestyle as well. Make a plan to include regular exercise in your life. A 20 minute walk or light aerobic activity can make a great difference in your ability to lose weight. Drink Water: If your body is dehydrated it cannot be balanced. Drink fresh clean water and cut out all of the sugar based sodas and processed drink products from your diet. These beverages contribute to obesity and are poor choices for health. Smaller Meals: Eat more frequently throughout the day. Large heavy meals are hard on the digestive system. Small nutritionally dense meals give your body more energy and make you less likely to overeat. You need a good balance of proteins, fats and carbohydrates at each meal. Include foods that have fiber in them to help you feel fuller and aid in your digestion. Being overweight is a very common problem and if you are dealing with this, your not alone. There are simple strategies you can incorporate into your life to help you lose weight in a healthy way. Remember as with any dietary or lifestyle changes, always consult with your medical provider, particularly if have any disease or you are taking prescription medications. Author: Tina C. Loren The Issels Medical Center in Santa Barbara, California is a world renowned alternative cancer treatment center. The Issels Treatment is an Integrative Immunotherapy program with a 50 year history. Founded in 1951 by a pioneer in integrative cancer medicine, Dr. Josef Issels, MD., a German oncologist, The Issels Medical Center in Santa Barbara, California treats patients with all natural non toxic therapies for a variety of health conditions including cancer. View Count: 102
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