Are You Overweight or Obese?

Overweight: Defined as 1 to 30 pounds over a healthy weight.
Obesity: Defined as being 30 pounds or more over a healthy weight.

Reality: 95% of Diets Fail. An Effective Exercise Program combined with a Healthy Nutrition Plan is the best way to lose weight - or maintain a healthy weight - and avoid the dangerous risks outlined below. It is never too late to take control of your weight and health. I can help you regardless of how much weight you need to lose. Contact me today.   - Jonathan Roche

Obesity can lead to:

1) Shorter life spans:
	> Overweight people who are non-smokers lose: 3 years > Obese people who are non-smokers lose: 7 years > Obese people who are smokers lose: 13.5 years
2) Heart Disease:
	Obesity increases the risk of Cardiac Hypertrophy (enlarged heart), Coronary Heart Disease and Cardiac Rhythm Disturbances.
3) Higher Risk of Cancer:
	Obesity leads to a higher risk of death from most types of cancer. It also increases the levels of circulating hormones known to influence cell growth and contribute to cancer.
4) Diabetes:
	Diabetes is a condition in which the body does not make enough of the hormone insulin, or it doesn't use the insulin properly. Insulin helps sugar get into cells, where it is used for energy. If insulin doesn't function normally, sugar builds up in the blood, damaging nerves and blood vessels. Obese eople are often resistant to the effects of insulin and make more insulin to compensate for defects. When they are unable to make enough extra insulin, they may develop type 2 diabetes. It's the most common form, affecting 16 million Americans.
5) Osteoarthritis:
	Obesity increases the loss of cartilage in the joints, especially in the knees, hips and lower back, which hampers movement.

Why people are overweight:

1) Excess Calories:
	> Calories required by a Sedentary man 30-50 years old = 2,200 > Calories required by a Sedentary woman 30-50 years old = 1,800 > Calories produced daily per person by the U.S. food industry = 2,680
2) Lack of Exercise:
	> Only 45% of adults meet the government's recommendation of at least 30 minutes of moderate activity most days of the week.
3) A Toxic Environment:
	> Portions are twice as big as they were 20 years ago.
4) Genetic Predisposition:
	Fewer than a dozen genes may have a measurable affect on obesity; many are involved in appetite control. Human bodies are designed to consume and store energy when possible to ensure survival when food is scarce. Genes have not changed recently. Obesity today is due mostly to a high-calorie, low-activity environment.
5) Hunger:
	The body has complex physiological mechanisms that regulate appetite and drive hunger. These systems are not completely understood, but they involve body fat, hormones and other body chemistry. New research shows that people are often hungrier after they lose weight, which may explain why it's so difficult to lose weight and keep it off. People often eat for social and emotional reasons, including when they are stressed, angry, worried, tired or happy.

Source: USA Today article (10/14/03) "Obesity predicted for 40% of America by 2010 if weight isn't reined in"