Over the past 20 years, there has been a dramatic increase in obesity in the United States, with more than one third of U.S. adults now diagnosed as obese. Being obese or overweight comes with a large number of inherent physiological and emotional issues, so it’s no wonder people have several reasons for wanting to lose weight.
Health
The most critical reason for losing weight is improved health. Fifty percent of participants in a 2007 study of overweight and obese people cited health improvement as the No. 1 reason for wanting to lose weight. Being overweight is associated with heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and some forms of cancer. The World Health Organization notes that being overweight is the fifth leading cause of global death. Losing weight decreases the risk of many of these health consequences and can actually reverse some conditions, including type 2 diabetes.
Appearance
Improved appearance or vanity is the second most cited reason for wanting to lose weight. People who are overweight often suffer from prejudice and discrimination both in their personal and professional lives. In the workplace, overweight people are less likely to be hired and when they are, they are often given lower wages. The media fascination with thin models and actors also feeds the stigma that many people have, often leading them to believe that, regardless of how much weight they have to lose, they will be perceived more positively if they shed weight.
Mood
Improved mood is another important reason for losing weight. The insecurities associated with being discriminated against foster depression and low self-esteem. There is also some evidence that mood disorders and obesity are actually linked and that depression and bipolar disease may be a precursor to obesity. Fatigue and sluggishness that comes with being overweight can also contribute to depressive symptoms. A 2009 study led by Lucy Faulconbridge and presented at the 2009 annual meeting of the Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior has shown that weight loss actually improves mood.
Fitness
Improved fitness is also a top reason for losing weight, especially for men who are deemed overweight but otherwise healthy, according to a study published in the "International Journal of Obesity and Related Metabolic Disorders." Most physical movement, from walking to running is easier for normal weight people. For those who are interested in participating sport or physical activity, losing weight can help them to improve athletic performance.
Meal Replacements:
A Great Strategy for Weight Management
By Susan Bowerman, M.S., R.D., C.S.S.D
When it comes to dieting, most people approach the process by controlling portions and counting calories. But oftentimes, despite even the best efforts, the scale refuses to budge. Inaccuracies in counting calories and estimating portion sizes are two of the biggest obstacles to successful weight loss.
The beauty of meal replacements is that portion control is taken care of, and they're designed to provide great nutrition within a defined number of calories. On top of that, they are simple and convenient for today's busy lifestyles.
Portion control is one of the primary strategies in controlling calorie intake. Many people don't take the time to weigh and measure foods - or if they do, they usually stop after a while, thinking they can estimate portions fairly well. Portion sizes may then begin to creep up, and weight loss starts to slow down. More often than not, portion sizes will then gradually increase and the rate of weight loss slows.
And then there are the practical issues - some may not realize that the 3-ounce portion of meat specified in a meal plan is the size of a deck of cards. Or, perhaps they forget that everything counts, including any fats used in cooking or at the table, or foods that are eaten while standing at the sink or while driving in the car. A few small omissions over the course of a day or week can derail anyone's progress.
Meal replacement shakes take the guesswork out of calorie and portion control, while delivering healthy ingredients and great taste. A number of clinical studies have shown that using meal replacements as part of a weight loss plan can be more effective than counting calories with an all-food plan. In a recent study at the University of Ulm in Germany, subjects drinking two Formula 1 shakes a day (European Formula) lost more weight than people in the study who simply counted calories.
Meal replacement shakes can also be customized, too. By choosing to mix with milk or soy milk, adding a favorite fruit, or tossing in some extra protein powder, a personalized meal can be had in minutes. Convenient, delicious, healthy, portion controlled meals – what more could a dieter ask for?
Susan Bowerman is a consultant to Herbalife.
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