Diffuse the ticking time-bomb called obesity

With the exception of smoking, obesity remains the largest cause of premature preventable deaths in the world. And I do mean the world. There is no escaping this truth.

In 2016, the Lancet published one of the largest meta-analysis ever, carried out by more than 500 researchers spanning 300 institutions in 32 countries. They sifted through 239 studies worldwide and narrowed down their research to just under 4 million patients from these studies, excluding smokers and people with chronic ailments.

 Body Mass Index is the standard formula for identifying the degree of obesity.

Their findings? People with a Body-Mass-Index (BMI) between 20-25 had the lowest chance of death. For obese people, every additional 5 BMI points was linked to an additional 39% increase in mortality risk.

The key diseases related to obesity that contribute to morbidity and early mortality are:

• Diabetes: Aggravates heart diseases, blood pressure, kidney failure, nerve disorders, blindness, strokes and even loss of limbs.
• Hypertension: Often seen with heart disease, congestive heart failure, strokes and kidney diseases.
• Heart Diseases: Obesity is invariably linked with heart disorders, failure, irregular heart rhythms and attacks.
• Respiratory Diseases: Reduced lung capacity can literally take your breath away. Obstructive sleep apnea is linked to high blood pressure and heart failure.
• Depression and suicidal tendencies.
• Liver disorders: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is often associated with obesity resulting ultimately in liver failure.
• Bone and joint disorders: Common disorders include gout and osteoarthritis.
• Diseases like Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) in women and hypothyroidism are also often associated with weight gain.
• Cancer deaths: I bet you did not know this. Obesity increases your risk of getting more than a dozen significant cancers, ranging from your esophagus and thyroid to your kidneys, cervix and ovaries. 

Do you see how big a killer those extra kilos are? How almost every organ can be affected by obesity?

 

More importantly, do you know the benefits of weight loss?

We all know losing weight is no easy task. We have all been there and lost the odd battle of the bulge, some more than others. This is something you need to know to be inspired. Losing 10% of your body weight as an obese person drastically reduces the likelihood of you ever developing chronic killers like diabetes and hypertension. It reduces your risk of heart diseases and stroke as well as respiratory ailments.

So aim to be healthy, not just thin. Believe me, that makes a huge difference at the end of the day. Do not fret if you worry that there are just too many kilos to lose and it is too hard a mountain to climb. Aim to lose weight gradually and in a healthy way and you will see the benefits as time goes by. For example, the role of supplements in battling obesity should not be overlooked. Bio X4 ingredients like EGCG and Caralluma Fimbriata can help you in achieving your goal of a lighter body and, if you continue to take them once you have achieved your desired weight, can help you maintain your new body. 

Brand leaders VLCC have been trend-setters in weight reduction for decades in India and presently under their 'Get Well Soon' initiative, offer customized programs to each individual focusing on weight management linked to four disease categories that we discussed earlier:

1. Diabetes
2. Hypertension and Heart Health
3. PCOS 
4. Hypothyroid.

Their aid and motivation combined with your self-belief and desire to diffuse this ticking time-bomb called obesity will not just rejuvenate you both physically and mentally but more importantly, be the best gift you give your future self - a healthy life.