 |
Life Lost To Obesity: Not Just Quality
Author: Caroline Cederquist, M.D. | Posted: 09-07-2007 | Comments: 0 | Views: 9 | 
With two out of three Americans overweight today, we're learning more and more about the numerous ways that carrying excess weight can really affect our health and diminish our quality of life.
But you may not have heard the hard facts about how overweight and obesity can diminish your quantity of life.
Simply put, overweight people die younger. On average, they lose as many years to their excess weight as smokers lose to their cigarettes.
It stands to reason, doesn't it? With all the health problems that we know are caused or worsened by excess weight, it is to be expected that those who carry an excess would die sooner than those who don't.
Still, we don't often hear the cost of our extra calories expressed in such stark terms. In the popular media, we've typically seen our weight problems discussed as a function of appearance and appeal, and feel the imperative to lose weight in order to be more attractive and more successful.
The medical establishment has been warning about the risks of obesity and overweight in terms that address their health consequences, but early death is seldom mentioned among these.
Yet Dutch researchers studying Americans found that there's a lot to lose for those who don't lose their extra pounds. Published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, the data from the Dutch study were gathered from more than 3,450 subjects between the ages of 30 and 59.
The researchers categorized people according to their body mass index, or BMI. A BMI of 19 to 24 is typically considered healthy, while a BMI of 25 to 29 is considered overweight, and a BMI of 30 or more is clinically obese.
Among those subjects who were overweight but not actually obese, the study showed that 40-year-old female nonsmokers lost 3.3 years of life due to their excess weight.
In this weight class, the 40-year-old male nonsmokers lost 3.1 years of life expectancy.
For non-smokers who were clinically obese, the news only got worse for women, who lost about seven years of life because of their obesity, while the men of this size lost just under six years.
That's six Thanksgivings, six New Year's Eves, and who knows how many grandchildren born. That's six Superbowls they'll miss, six World Series they won't see.
Not surprisingly, the loss is much greater for overweight smokers. When we add the strain and damage of cigarettes to the body's burden of obesity, the loss doubles, to around 13 years for both men and women.
That's 13 birthdays, 13 Independence Day fireworks shows, 13 years of some special child's school pictures that will be missed. When you think about it in such personal and specific terms, those extra calories suddenly seem so much more costly.
"Obesity and overweight in adulthood are associated with large decreases in life expectancy and increases in early mortality," the the journal reported. "Because of the increasing prevalence of obesity, more efficient prevention and treatment should become high priorities in public health."
But what "prevention and treatment" means depends on who you talk to, and it's becoming an increasingly controversial issue, with some saying that overweight is an individual problem caused by individual actions, and therefore one that should be dealt with by the people who are personally affected.
But others say that's a gross oversimplification. Increasingly, public health official and other researchers assert that this is a social problem that deserves all the attention it can get.
While people certainly must take responsibility for their own eating practices, and families must be responsible for the dietary habits of their children, there's more to it than that.
In our society, we are faced with what some experts refer to as our "toxic environment," and they're not talking about chemical waste; they're talking about the ubiquity of burgers, about soda machines in schools, about giant-sized snacks devoid of nutritional value.
They're concerned about millions spent promoting essentially worthless foods, while education and promotion of good nutritional options languishes in unfunded media obscurity.
We face tremendous pressure to eat often and eat poorly, and there are consequences to that, for everyone, even those who are not personally overweight. American's weight-related health expenses now exceed $130 billion per year, and that gets spread across everyone's health costs.
And that says nothing of the incalculable economic cost to businesses and communities in lost human time and potential.
And it says nothing of the immeasureable loss to families and individuals, of those moments on birthdays and holidays, of those stories and photographs that end up missing someone, lost early to a preventable weight problem. Rate this Article:
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/life-lost-to-obesity-not-just-quality-178423.html
About the Author:Caroline J. Cederquist, M.D. is a board certified Family Physician and a board certified Bariatric Physicians (the medical specialty of weight management). Dr. Cederquist is the founder of Bistro MD formerly Diet To Your Door, a home diet delivery program that specializes in low calorie gourmet food that is delivered to your home or office.
|
Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free! |
|
Related Articles
Healthy Weight Loss Plan - Lose Weight The Right Way
By: Ryan Cote | 20/01/2007 | Health
With so many diets and alternative food choices available on the market today, it can be difficult to figure out where to start when you want to lose a few pounds. Long-term weight loss is most effectively achieved when healthy lifestyle changes are made and maintained.
A healthy weight loss plan...
Life Lost to Obesity: not Just Quality
By: Caroline J. Cederquist, M.D. | 03/07/2007 | Wellness
Obese American males lose and average of six years of life expectancy to their excess weight. Six birthdays, six family Christmases, six Super Bowl Sundays. Thinking about the consequences of obesity in such personal and specific terms, can really drive home the cost of those extra calories.
Obesity And A Poor Diet Can Be Harmful In More Ways Than One
By: David Maillie | 11/01/2007 | Health
Obesity in any form is unhealthy as it places excess strain on all aspects of the body from the skeletal system to the heart and circulatory system. Here is a great article on obesity and what can happen.
6 Reasons Why the Mediterranean Diet Contributes to a Longer, Healthier Life
By: Roy Barker | 27/01/2006 | Fitness
Over the course of many generations, observers have been able to discern that the people who populate the region around the Mediterranean Sea live longer lives than do men and women in some other parts of the world. Historically, the reason most often at
Understanding The Risks Of Obesity Surgery
By: Glenn Freiboth | 24/03/2006 | Fitness
With Obesity Surgery increasing on a global level, patients need to understand what to expect if
things go wrong after the procedure is performed.
Don't Let Stress Affect Your Weight: 7 Easy Tips
By: Marjorie Nolan, Ms, Rd, Cpt | 26/07/2006 | Weight Loss
Stress brought on by dieting is added to the personal and work life stresses that we face every day, often resulting in a "vicious cycle" of increased stress and increased food intake. People under stress tend to engage in self-defeating and unhealthy behaviors such as binge eating and there is strong biologic evidence that stressed-out people may tend to put on the pounds faster. "I'm stressed, therefore I eat."
How To Look And Feel Better With A Good Health And Fitness Program
By: Ryan Cote | 01/04/2007 | Health
Spring has sprung and it's an ideal time of year to spring into action about your health and fitness. During the winter, we often put on a few pounds eating comfort food and avoiding the cold. As the warm weather arrives and we shed our heavy winter coats, everyone wants...
Weight Loss Options For All Bodies
By: Steven A Johnson | 23/09/2007 | Health
Weight loss is on the minds of most people. Let's face it - in a nation where obesity is the new norm, weight loss should be the focus of many Americans. To that end, there are so many diets and plans being marketed that it is easy to get entirely...
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
Sexual emotional health
By: searchingwoman | 09-05-2008
When pornography addiction becomes so strong that the mate has no interest in sex with his partner anymore, how much chance is there to work it out ? Particulary when the mate has no interest in letting go of the addiction How successful have others been?
I had a complete m/c March 5, 08 and never had a ...
By: TSM | 09-05-2008
I had a complete m/c March 5, 08 and never had a cylce. I took a test May 1st and it was negative. Took another test May 7th and it was positive??? HELP
IUI sucsess symptom?
By: charlieb0y | 09-05-2008
Hi can anyone help? had IUI Tuesday pm now Friday and have cramps in lower abdomen. egg was 23mm helped with clomid and sperm was 98 per mil! all went well, what are the symptoms of a sucsessful IUI?
Fighting fatigue
By: sprinter | 09-05-2008
I am age 70. Am a personal trainer and compete in Senior Olympics. Work daily for 2 hours. Why do I feel tired?
What is the best creme to frim the face?
By: deliat63 | 09-05-2008
what is the best creme to frim the face?
Why sudden extreme hairloss?
By: ChrissyB | 09-05-2008
In September 2007 I noticed that when I showered the drain would become completely covered with hair. This was new & happened daily. I've always had very thick hair and now it is considerably & noticeably thinned out. I find hair everywhere and actually have to sweep the bathroom floor after blow drying my hair because of the accumulation. I've spoken to every one of my doctors from my PCP, endochronologist, neurologist, even my GYN who thought it might have beeen thyroid or hormonal. Those tests are fine. My hairline is receeding quickly and I can't imagine where I'd be if I had thin hair to begin with. I'm only 38. I was 37 when it started and have had no changes in medications which are just for my thyroid and migraine prevention which is new. Are there other tests that can be done to determine why this is happening & is there someone who specializes in this? Thank you!
Q&A Powered by: 
Latest Health Articles
What Is Calorie Shifting Diet And How Does It Work?
By: Ishak Iman | 17/05/2008
Calorie shifting diet is one of the hot topics of discussion in the diet industry. And what is the calorie shifting? It is a weight loss diet plan that created to against the natural slowdown that happens in your metabolism whenever someone is limiting his or her calorie intake. The...
What You Should Know About Multiple Sclerosis Treatment
By: MIKE SELVON | 16/05/2008
If you or someone you love is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, then you may feel confused, concerned and scared.
Homeopathy: The Best Medicine?
By: Jim Pretin | 16/05/2008
Natural Medicine, particularly homeopathy, is fast becoming the treatment modality of choice for a wide variety of ailments
Why Are So Many Young Kids Depressed
By: Alisha Dhamani | 16/05/2008
At one time, young people were considered immune to sadness. Now mental health professionals know better. Even preschoolers can develop symptoms of depression, such as irritability, sadness, and withdrawal.
What You Should Know About Allergy Induced Autism
By: Rachel Evans | 16/05/2008
Allergy induced autism has only been recognized by scientists and doctors for a relatively short time since the "discovery" of autism. Since being recognized, its presence has become increasingly common; in line with the increase in autism cases.
Those who are at the highest risk for allergy induced autism are children...
Using the Right Hair Care Products to Help Correct Problems
By: Dave Roth | 16/05/2008
In order to keep his or her hair healthy there are a lot of different things that a person can do by being aware of some simple tips and ideas.
Reducing Acid Reflux And Choking Spells
By: Kathryn Whittaker | 16/05/2008
Choking can be a very startling and upsetting experience for many acid reflux sufferers, both infants and adults alike. The symptom of choking usually occurs at night when a person is sleeping, and choking is what tends to wake the person up who then usually violently coughs to clear their...
Create Your Own Gout Diet Plan And Take Control Today
By: Lisa McDowell | 16/05/2008
A gout diet plan is an important part of controlling your gout symptoms and attacks. After all, when not controlled, gout can cause severe and permanent damage to your tissues, joints, and tendons.
As gout is caused by high levels of uric acid in the blood, a proper gout diet plan...
More from Caroline Cederquist, M.D.
Portion Distortion: Why Bigger Really Isn’t Better
By: Caroline Cederquist, M.D. | 10/09/2007 | Weight Loss
Americans are eating out more and more, and leading researchers say that’s a big part of why so many of us are overweight. The biggest part of that big part? Big portions!
When we eat out, we are usually getting a portion of food that is double, or even three or four times the size of what is considered a normal serving.
Many restaurant meals are upwards of 1,000 calories for a single meal! Remember what a big deal the Quarter Pounder was when it was introduced in the 1970s? Nowadays, it’s not surprising to see one-third and one-half pound burgers on a menu.
Trans Fat - - What’s That?
By: Caroline Cederquist, M.D. | 16/08/2007 | Wellness
Trans Fats - - As dangerous as they are, trans fats are not listed on food labels as such. So to tell if a product has trans fat in it, look for the words "hydrogenated" or "partially hydrogenated" on the ingredient list. The higher in the ingredient list that hydrogenated oils are listed, the more trans fats there are in the product.
Calorie in Alcohol - Liquid Calories Count, Even if They Don't Register
By: Caroline Cederquist, M.D. | 23/07/2007 | Nutrition
Calorie In Alcohol - Quick liquid calorie cutbacks
Simply switch to low- and non-caloric beverages like diet soda, regular coffee and tea, or good old water. It may take you a few drinks to adjust to your new flavor choice, but it’ll be a lot easier than adjusting to a new, bigger pant size.
Dining Out, Weighing In: Restaurant Meals are Higher in Calories
By: Caroline Cederquist, M.D. | 23/07/2007 | Nutrition
Make Yourself at Home!
If you eat out frequently, think about adjusting your restaurant eating habits to conform more to those you might practice at home. No one’s feelings will be hurt if you don’t order an appetizer or if you say no to the extra beverage refill. And remember to do those “push-backs!”
|
|
Health 
