Have you ever thought about the extra weight you may be carrying around? Do need a solution for weight loss? Then read on.

An estimated 300,000 deaths per year may be attributable to obesity from the effects of unhealthy dietary habits and physical inactivity or sedentary behavior. This is not surprising considering that 64 percent of U.S. adults are either overweight or obese. We are becoming a fatter nation with all of our supersized portions and overabundance of food; and we are paying the price. The risk of negative health consequences and premature death rises with increasing weight. Even moderate weight excess (10 to 20 pounds for a person of average height) increases the risk health problems and premature death, particularly among adults aged 30 to 64 years.

Here are some interesting tidbits of information on the effects of added body weight that many people do not think about. For every 2-pound increase in weight, the risk of developing arthritis is increased by 9 to 13%. High blood pressure is twice as common in adults who are obese than in those who are at a healthy weight. A weight gain of 11 to 18 pounds increases a person's risk of developing type 2 diabetes to twice that of individuals who have not gained weight. Overweight and obesity are associated with increased risks of gall bladder disease, incontinence, increased surgical risk, and depression. Obesity can affect the quality of life through limited mobility and decreased physical endurance as well as through social, academic, and job discrimination.

Body Mass Index or BMI is a common measure expressing the relationship (or ratio) of weight-to-height. Individuals with a BMI of 25 to 29.9 are considered overweight, while individuals with a BMI of 30 or more are considered obese. Individuals who are obese with a Body Mass Index greater than 30 have a 50 to 100% increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, arthritis, breathing and reproductive problems as well as premature death from all causes, compared to individuals with a healthy weight. The incidence of heart disease (heart attack, congestive heart failure, sudden cardiac death, angina or chest pain, and abnormal heart rhythm) is increased in persons who are overweight or obese with a Body Mass Index of greater than 25.

The good news about all of this is that weight loss, as modest as 5 to 15% of total body weight in a person who is overweight or obese, reduces the risk factors for some diseases, particularly heart disease. In addition, weight loss can result in lower blood pressure, lower blood sugar, and improved cholesterol levels.

An effective weight loss program can certainly reduce health risks and prolong life. It is critical to find a program that instills good eating patterns with lifestyle changes to exercise and activity. Those programs that focus on behavior modification provide a mechanism of long-term weight maintenance and you are least likely to gain the weight back. In deciding what weight loss method to use, be sure that it is safe, effective and reputable. We have all seen advertisements for diet ads and diet pills on TV. Don’t fall for fad diets and product scams, they can be very dangerous to your health. Be sure a reputable doctor recommends any weight loss pills.

To learn more about Dr. Posner's plan for weight loss, please visit his website at www.spdiet.com

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