EP 47: Weight Loss Journey
Over the last several years, the CDC has reported an increase in obesity in the United States. 38.3% of women and 35% of men in our population are obese. In this episode, we discuss the 16-week weight loss journey Progressive Medical Center created to help fight this problem.
Obesity can lead to a number of potentially serious health problems, including heart disease, strokes, type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, digestive problems, sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, and severe COVID-19 symptoms. Losing weight can improve or prevent these health problems12. Even modest weight loss of 5% to 10% of your total body weight is likely to produce health benefits such as improvements in blood pressure, blood cholesterol, and blood sugars.
Obesity can reduce life expectancy by several years. A study by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) found that people with class III (or extreme) obesity had a dramatic reduction in life expectancy compared with people of normal weight1. Moderate obesity, which is now common, reduces life expectancy by about 3 years, and severe obesity, which is still uncommon, can shorten a person’s life by 10 years23.
Obesity is a very complex health issue that is caused by a variety of factors. At the most basic level, obesity is caused by an imbalance in the amount of calories a person takes in (through food and drink) and the amount of calories a person uses up (through physical activity and daily living)1.
There are many reasons why obesity is such a problem in the United States. Some of these reasons include:
- Lack of physical activity: Many Americans lead sedentary lifestyles, which means they don’t get enough exercise. This can lead to weight gain and obesity2.
- Poor diet: Many Americans eat too much fast food, junk food, and processed food, which are high in calories, sugar, and fat. This can lead to weight gain and obesity2.
- Genetics: Some people are more prone to obesity than others due to their genes2.
- Environmental factors: The environment we live in can also contribute to obesity. For example, people who live in neighborhoods without safe places to exercise may be less likely to be physically active2.