Losing Weight Reduces Your Risk of These Common Conditions

Losing weight can boost your confidence and help you feel good in your clothes, but that’s just the beginning. Beyond the aesthetic benefits, shedding extra pounds reduces the risk of several common health conditions. 

Below, our experts here at RefineU Med Spa in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, explore how losing weight helps reduce your risk of these common conditions. 

Heart disease

Heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death among Americans; one person dies from heart disease every 33 seconds. Obesity significantly increases the risk of developing heart conditions such as coronary artery disease, heart attacks, and strokes. 

Excess weight puts strain on your heart, leading to high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol levels, and diabetes 一 all risk factors for heart disease. Even dropping 5%-10% of your weight can improve your health.

Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is an endocrine disorder characterized by high glucose levels in your blood. Obesity, poor diet, and a sedentary lifestyle are all risk factors for Type 2 diabetes. 

Excess weight, particularly around your abdomen, increases insulin resistance and makes it difficult for your body to regulate blood sugar levels effectively. As with heart disease, even a 5% weight loss can trigger improvements in this area.

Osteoarthritis 

Excess weight unduly stresses your joints, especially your knees, hips, and lower back. Over time, that can lead to joint pain, stiffness, and an increased risk of this wear-and-tear disease.

Sleep apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by interrupted breathing (apneas) while you sleep, often due to the relaxation of throat muscles. 

Obesity is a significant risk factor for sleep apnea because excess weight (and throat tissue) can lead to the narrowing of your airway and make it difficult to breathe properly during sleep.

Again, even modest weight loss can alleviate sleep apnea symptoms by reducing the pressure on your airway. 

Certain types of cancer

Obesity is associated with an increased risk of several types of cancer, including breast, colon, uterine, kidney, and prostate cancer. As many as 8% of all cancers are related to obesity.

Maintaining a healthy weight can lower your risk of these cancers. You can further reduce your risk by eating a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables, limiting alcohol and red meat, practicing good sleep hygiene, managing stress, and not smoking. 

Depression

Obesity can contribute to depression in various ways, including psychological, biological, and social factors. Negative body image, hormonal changes, unhealthy lifestyle habits, and social stigma associated with obesity can all exacerbate feelings of sadness and hopelessness. 

Additionally, social isolation and genetic predispositions may further compound the risk of depression in individuals with obesity. Treatment approaches for obesity should consider the physical and psychological aspects of the condition to promote physical and mental health. 

How much weight do you need to lose?

The amount depends on your starting weight, height, and body mass index (BMI). Keep in mind that if you build lean muscle, you may see the scale go up. Instead of a particular number, focus on losing fat (1-2 pounds per week), building lean muscle mass, and eating healthy.

Where to start

Even 5% weight loss can be tricky if you don’t know where to start. That’s where we come in. Our team offers guidance on diet, exercise, and stress management, as well as body sculpting, including CoolSculpting®, CoolTone®, and Sculptra®,  to take your weight loss to the next level.

To learn more, call our office at 405-369-8840 today.