30 Jan Weight Loss Doesn’t Just Look Good, It’s Critical For Optimal Health
A lot of patients who visit our clinic are interested in weight loss for its aesthetic benefits – to get in shape for the coming summer beach season or to shimmy into your old favorite pair of jeans.
However, losing weight (and keeping it off) doesn’t just make you look better – it can also transform your health and add years, or even decades, to your life (and make those extra years more enjoyable).
Weight loss for diabetes prevention
Diabetes is a major public health problem in the United States. Chances are high that you know someone among your friends and family who battles diabetes.
Weight loss significantly decreases diabetes risk:
“It takes only small amounts of weight loss to prevent progression to type 2 diabetes from impaired glucose tolerance and after the 10 kg of weight loss one cannot demonstrate much additional improvement in risk reduction.”
Weight loss for lower blood pressure
High blood pressure (hypertension) puts you at greater risk of developing heart disease and other chronic illnesses. Healthy weight loss, even modest reductions of about 10 pounds, reduces both systolic and diastolic blood pressure:
“Weight loss of at least 5kg has been shown to significantly reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure by an average of 4.44 and 3.57mm Hg, respectively.”
Weight loss for improved cognitive function
Have you been feeling “foggy” lately? Weight loss can help restore cognitive function for brighter, clearer thought processes:
“Weight loss is associated with improvements in cognitive function among overweight and obese people.”
Weight loss for reduced depression
Millions of Americans experience clinical depression each year. There are many potential treatments, but one of the best is sustained weight loss:
“A mean weight loss of 8.4% was associated with a statistically significant reduction in [depression symptoms].”
Weight loss for longer life
Given all the potential chronic health issues triggered by being overweight or obese, it’s no surprise that these conditions are linked to shorter lifespan:
“Overweight and obesity are associated with increased morbidity and mortality.”
Weight loss for improved quality of life
The World Health Organization defines quality of life (QOL) as “individuals’ perception of their position in life in the context of the culture and value systems in which they live, and in relation to their goals, expectations, standards and concerns.”
Weight loss delivers improved quality of life for individuals who achieve modest reductions in their body weight.
A little weight loss goes a long way for better health
Studies have found that, to reap the health benefits of weight loss, a little weight loss goes a long way:
“Weight loss has been recognized as a key factor in the control and prevention of coronary heart disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, hyperlipidemia, cardiorespiratory failure and other chronic degenerative diseases. It has been shown that even a modest loss of 5% of initial body weight can reduce, eliminate or prevent these disorders in a large proportion of overweight patients.”
Learn more about the profound, transformative health benefits of sustainable weight loss
Contact Dr. Sylvienash Moma, DNP with any questions or concerns you have regarding weight loss. When you’re ready to get serious about your weight loss journey, we’re always ready to welcome you to our state-of-the-art clinic.
Let’s start on the road to looking and feeling years younger today!
No Comments