Obesity is one of the main causes of preventable illness in North America.  If you are obese you are at higher risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, asthma, gallbladder disease, and even certain types of cancer. While there are several ways to determine if you are obese, perhaps the easiest is calculating your body mass index (BMI), which compares your height and weight to a standard set of results. While this is not entirely accurate (a person with a lot of muscle will weigh more and have the same height as if he/she did not have as much muscle, and will therefore have a higher BMI), it is nonetheless the simplest determinant available. To calculate your BMI, take your weight in kilograms and divide it by your height in meters squared (kg/m2).  A BMI  between 25 and 29.9 is considered overweight, 30-34.9 class I obesity, 35-39.9 severe obesity, 40-44.9 morbid obesity, and 45 and over is considered super obesity.

Consuming more calories than you expend is the basic reason for weight gain, but obesity is not explained this simply. Other factors, such as family history, environmental and behavioral factors, as well as psychological factors such as low self-esteem, depression, guilt, emotional trauma and stress can all play a role in explaining how someone becomes obese.

Your doctor will recommend lifestyle changes such as diet modification and possibly psychological counseling. There are appetite suppressants and fat blockers available, but the side effects may be severe. When other methods have failed and your health is in danger, surgery could be an option. The surgeries used to help obesity include gastric surgery, gastric bypass surgery, laparoscopic surgery, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, and stomach stapling.

There are many ways you can try to lose weight before attempting something as drastic as surgery. For example, eating smaller meals more frequently, plus seeking the help of (and committing to) a nutritional counsellor can be a great start. One-on-one yoga can be perfect as your teacher can cater to your personal needs and define a program that suits you.  Acupuncture and TCM can help boost your energy levels, stabilize your blood sugar levels, and help boost your metabolism.  Massage therapy can help ease your aches and pains and reduce stress levels.

Contact us for a FREE consultation on how natural therapy can help you improve your health and manage obesity.

These links may also be helpful:

6 Tips for Losing Weight and Eating Healthy

Acupuncture for Weight Loss

Case Study: Acupuncture for Weight Loss

Cardiovascular Health

Diabetes and Heart Disease

Obesity and the Increased Risk for Diabetes