Understanding the Relationship between Obesity, Overweight and Weight Loss—Scientific and Healthy Methods of Losing Weight

According to data from the National Health and Examination Survey (NHES), about 33.8% of adult Americans are overweight. This translates to over 102 million overweight adults. Also, 17% of all American children and adolescents are overweight or obese, a concern that has led to the involvement of First Lady Michelle Obama in the campaign for weight loss.

These statistics, although frightening, underscore the need and high demand for weight loss techniques. Unfortunately, a large number of people are also disappointed because of false and inadequate information on how to effectively lose weight.

Defining Obesity and Overweight

According to the WHO, overweight and obesity can be defined as excessive and abnormal fat accumulation in the body that poses several health risks. In order to know whether you are overweight or not, you’ll have to calculate your BMI (body mass index) which is your weight (kg) divided by the square of your height (meters). If your BMI is 30 and above, you are obese and if it is equal to or above 25, you are overweight.

Some of the health conditions associated with overweight and obesity include cancer, heart diseases and diabetes. There are several more and to stay healthy if you are obese or overweight, you need effective weight loss methods.

Basics

There are hundreds of opinions and techniques about weight loss but not all of them are effective. In fact a lot of them end up doing more harm than good. In order to effectively lose weight, you need a basic understanding of how it works because this will serve as the foundation for any method you decide to employ.

The most important thing you need to know about weight loss are calories. A calorie is simply the measure of a unit of energy in food. If the energy is not used, it is converted to fat and stored in the body. Essentially, weight loss boils down to the equation between your calorie intake and the amount that you burn up for physical activities.

Methods

Forget fads and fancy techniques; any effective weight loss method must focus on either reducing your extra calorie intake or increasing the amount of calories used daily. Weight loss methods simply help you draw up a plan to achieve either or both of these two goals.

To shed those extra calories however, you have to be prepared for the task ahead because there will be times when you’ll suffer some minor setbacks and times when you have to strengthen your resolve by saying no to those tantalizing foods. You will also achieve your goal faster by enlisting the help and support of your family and friends.

Weightlosssuggestion.com is dedicated to providing weight loss techniques and plans that have consistently proven to be effective. Feel free to use them but always remember that your commitment to initiating necessary changes in your exercise habits and diet is the key to losing weight.