Weight Loss

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What is obesity?

Obesity is when someone is considered to be excessively overweight for their height. Obesity occurs gradually over time if you consume too many calories and don't do enough physical activity to burn them off. The excess energy is stored as fat which will increase your body weight. Obesity is not to be confused with being overweight; you can still be overweight and live healthily, whereas someone who is obese or seriously overweight is at risk of further health issues. You can calculate whether you are suffering from obesity by using BMI calculator.

What causes obesity?

Obesity can develop as a result of poor eating habits (a diet of foods high in calories and low in nutrients) and a lack of exercise. Other possible causes include stress or insomnia; muscle loss through ageing; the use of antidepressants; or hormone problems such as an underactive thyroid and polycystic ovarian syndrome.

If your parents suffer from obesity then you stand a higher chance of developing this health condition too, as it's often hereditary. Obesity does appear to run in families which suggests there is a biological link, although common dietary and exercise habits that have been passed from one generation to the next are also a significant cause.

Why is weight loss important?

If left untreated, obesity will not only bring on immediate complications such as breathlessness, difficultly sleeping and back pain when bending, but it will also lead to serious long-term illnesses. Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and coronary heart disease can develop as a direct result of obesity, as can problems during and after pregnancy.

How can I lose weight?

There are several ways to approach this problem. Over the counter slimming pills are a popular choice although, as with many herbal supplements, weight loss claims are not always guaranteed.

If dieting and exercise has proved unsuccessful, you can request a course of Xenical tablets from your doctor or from HealthExpress online. Xenical is the only prescription medication for treating obesity that has been clinically proven to be more effective than slimming pills. It also carries fewer side effects when compared to surgical procedures.

Surgery restricts the amount of food a person can eat. Common methods include gastric band surgery, gastric bypass, bilopancreatic diversion and sleeve gastrectomy. A private operation performed by a surgeon can cost as much as £20,000 and can sometimes result in side effects such as swelling, bruising and scarring.

Trying to lose weight can be a frustrating experience, and if dieting and exercising prove to be ineffective it is easy to become disheartened. Though over the counter slimming pills, and herbal supplements are easily available, their weight loss credentials are uncertain.