Obesity is considered having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or over 30, and about 42.4 percent of adults in the US suffer from obesity. This number has increased by 30 percent only in the past two decades. Obesity is linked to certain health conditions like heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, and certain types of cancer.
Obesity can also increase the risk for and cause musculoskeletal pain conditions. Excess weight puts strain on the soft tissues and joints, which increases injury risk. Inflammation, also caused by obesity, puts added pressure on the body which can result in neck and back pain. And you can see, obesity causes many long term health issues in many different ways. Because of musculoskeletal pain exclusively, it can be hard to carry out daily activities.
Even though you may think you have a family history of obesity, sometimes obesity is caused by shared lifestyle habits among family members. Even if there is a genetic history of obesity, doctors say that this can normally be reversed by leading a healthy lifestyle. It may be more challenging, but certainly isn’t impossible.
So where do all of those excess calories go? They are stored in fat cells, which contribute to weight gain. This is why diet and exercise are so beneficial when trying to lose weight, because it allows you to be in control and know what is going in your body, and what is being burned by exercise.
Many experts recommend many different diets and ways to lose weight. No one way will work for every person. Take some time trying different methods to see which works best for you and your lifestyle. Current recommendations state to eat lots of fruits and vegetables, lean meats and healthy fats, such as nuts, avocados, etc. Be sure to lower your intake of red meats, added sugars, and processed foods.
150 minutes of moderate exercise, along with two resistance training sessions that target major muscle groups are recommended a week. Just like dieting, try different methods of exercise to see what you enjoy the most.
If you are looking to get your weight loss journey started, always be sure to consult with your doctor first. Your doctor may even be able to guide you in the right direction. And as always, if you are experiencing any musculoskeletal or joint pain, reach out to us today for an appointment!
