The reasons behind the increase in obesity among Americans are the subject of various theories. Two-thirds of all U.S. citizens are overweight or obese, which is characterized as having a BMI of 30 or higher. According to some specialists, most people in America will be overweight within the next ten years if the present trends persist.
Excess weight is a contributing factor to a number of chronic diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol. Osteoarthritis, depression, anxiety, sleep apnea, PCOS, and infertility are just a few of the conditions that are caused by being overweight. There is a lot of false information regarding obesity.
Here are four widespread misconceptions about obesity that need to be debunked right away.
1. Excess weight stems from poor lifestyle choices
The bulk of exercise programs designed to combat obesity blames it on bad eating habits and a sedentary lifestyle. Overweight people are often accused of lacking motivation or being “lazy.”
However, in addition to diet and lack of exercise, there are a lot of other factors at work.
For most individuals, obesity is not only the product of poor lifestyle choices. Stress, sleep quality, hormonal fluctuations, chronic pain, underlying medical conditions, medications, genetics, and a number of other factors can also affect your predisposition to gaining excess weight. Hence, each person who has been diagnosed with obesity uses a specific course of treatment.
2. Obesity does not impact your overall health
The reality is that excess weight causes many medical conditions. Diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, and a number of mental conditions are all made more likely by it. Your body can benefit from even a small loss of weight.
Your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels will all be improved by losing 5 to 10 percent of your overall body weight. Weight-loss programs may be beneficial to overweight individuals since they may prolong their lives. But unexpected weight loss might also lead to some problems.
3. Medications can’t help lose weight
Medication success rates for weight loss are very high. Several drugs for weight loss have received FDA approval. Phentermine, for example, aids in weight loss by reducing appetite while a patient makes lifestyle modifications. The patient’s metabolic rate slightly improves as well as their mood.
Saxenda, which was first made available as a diabetic drug, also eases the interaction between the stomach and the brain, and may be beneficial in helping lose excess weight. It is best to speak with your doctor before starting any medications, regardless of the situation.
4. Most people just don’t have the willpower to lose weight
It’s critical to realize that excess weight is a disease, not the consequence of a lack of willpower. As you get closer to your weight-loss goal, maintaining motivation gets harder. Because of this, you may even quit trying. People who are unable to reduce weight on their own may find it helpful to consult a weight loss surgeon.
Since it is impossible to predict when food will become accessible again, your brain makes you want to eat whenever you see something rich in calories or nutrients. We don’t live in a world of starvation. But rather in a society full of high-calorie foods. Hence, this caveman mentality is no longer beneficial.
The bottom line
A significant part of the world’s population is obese. Prejudice toward this ailment is still prevalent, and it can even be detrimental. If you are able to distinguish between myths and facts, understanding obesity will be simpler. Finding the appropriate treatment is now easier with your awareness of the facts concerning excess weight.
