Benefits of weight loss

- Mar 09, 2024 by Dr. Akhila Sunder

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Weight loss is very important to avoid many health conditions. Many individuals who are overweight and obese may benefit the most on losing healthy weight by following healthy diet and exercises.

Overweight is when one’s body mass index (BMI) is between 25 and 29.9 kg/m2.
Obesity is when one’s body mass index (BMI) is above 30 kg/m2.

Weight loss of about 5% may be very helpful in avoiding health conditions such as stroke, heart disease, diabetes, etc. even if the attained weight comes under overweight or obesity.

  1. Regular exercise for about 30 minutes at least 4-5 times a week along with healthy, timely meals help in losing weight and having a better control over blood sugar levels, decreasing the risk of Diabetes as well as in maintaining normal blood sugar levels, decreasing the frequency, dose of medications in individuals with Diabetes.
  2. Cutting down body fat and weight loss help in maintaining normal HDL cholesterol levels, that is more important and difficult than LDL cholesterol levels.
  3. Triglyceride levels in blood are decreased with weight loss and helps in decreasing the risk of fat deposition in arteries, that in turn lowers the risk of heart attack, stroke, etc.
  4. Many individuals with hypertension are benefitted on losing weight with healthy diet, low salt intake, exercises, etc. by decreasing the work load on heart.
  5. Weight loss helps in cutting down extra weight, pressure and strain over weight bearing joints such as knee, hip, spine, etc. and in turn helps in avoiding and managing arthritis.
  6. Decreased waist circumference is also important along with weight loss, in spite of normal BMI as body fat deposits trigger release of chemicals, that may cause inflammation leading to arthritis, tissue damage, etc.
  7. Losing extra weight may help in decreasing the possible risk of cancer such as breast, colon, ovary, pancreas, kidney, liver, etc.
  8. Individuals with overweight, obesity may experience sleep apnea, that is a condition with difficulty in breathing during sleep due to extra tissue deposit over the back of throat, that blocks respiratory tract on lying down position. Weight loss helps with a better sleep by avoiding sleep apnea.
  9. A healthy weight loss may help in cutting down fat tissue of the body, that in turn helps with positive attitude, healthy sleep, mood changes and more energy as one feels better about themselves.

References

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