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Archive for January, 2011

Obesity is a condition of having too much body fat. Although it really has nothing to do with one’s weight, it is most often the case that obese people are overweight as well. The most commonly accepted method for determining obesity in a given individual is to measure their body mass index or BMI. According to The National Center for Health Statistics, a BMI rating of 27.3 determines obesity in women and a rating of 27.8 classifies the men.

Obesity is one of the greatest health challenges of the 21st century. Obesity is defined simply as too much body fat. It is different from being overweight, which means weighing too much. Obesity is increased to a point where it is associated with certain health conditions or increased mortality. Obesity is a serious problem that affects millions of people. The most common measure of obesity is the body mass index or BMI. Obesity occurs over time when you eat more calories than you use. The balance between calories-in and calories-out differs for each person. Factors that might tip the balance include your genetic makeup, overeating, eating high-fat foods and not being physically active.

Change how your family eats so that you support your child’s weight loss attempt. Do not let your family make the decisions about supper. Instead, let them know what you are going to fix. If your child is hungry, give them food but make them eat is slowly. Mealtime should be done together and not in front of the television set. Never use food for a reward system and don’t withhold food to punish your child. Ensure that your child gets plenty of water and limit their intake of soda/caffeine.

Obesity is simply fatness in a degree higher than being overweight. The energy intake coming from food is stored as fat because the body does not use it. Obesity has quite an impact in one’s physical health that many degenerative diseases are directly and indirectly linked to obesity as observed in the history of obesity. It may even have a much worse impact on a person’s mental health. Throughout the history of obesity, its reputation varies from appreciation and the opposite among cultures and in time.

New medications are currently produced and introduced to the market to cater for the imposing obesity ailment in humans. The medications are in fact of herbal origin; extracts of plant parts and the purified active principles, which are presented in the form of pills, drinks, ointments and gels, with the view of reducing the body fat through excessive burning or undue release.

Caught up in the frenetic grind of her fashion industry job, Allison Ferrell, 41, paid little attention to her increasing waistline. As Manager of Product Operation and Logistics for Abaete, a New York-based luxury apparel line, lunch was a luxury she couldn’t afford. She said she was crazed and I couldn’t spare the time so If I didn’t eat by 1:00 p.m. that was it for the rest of the day.

By changing how your home eats and exercise, your overweight/obese child can begin to lose his/her weight. However, if you need further help, consider the assistance of a weight loss camp (formerly known as fat camps). Weight loss camps for kids are designed to teach campers how to eat and exercise properly.

Some of the immediate symptoms of obesity include:

Breathlessness,Excessive sweating,Snoring,Difficulty sleeping,Inability to cope with sudden physical activity,Back and joint pains

Being obese is a lot more serious than many of us think. That is why the symptoms of obesity are an important factor in finding out if someone is obese or just chubby. Obesity is more than just a few pounds overweight. Obesity can lead to an assortment of medical and mental conditions. Around the world, society is facing a problem that is continually growing, which is child obesity and obesity in general.

When you are packing a lot of fat in your body, excess fat tend to lie around your waist and chest or hips and buttocks, making you apple shaped or pear shaped, no offense intended. Conditions such as these are surely one of the symptoms of obesity. Obese men are likely to have huge waistlines, while women have a propensity to carry extra fat on their hips and buttocks. Some obese women though, who are past the menopausal stage, tend to become apple shaped.

The slimming effects are successful in many cases, though the goal can be achieved through regular and moderate feeding with low calorie food and strenuous body exercise.

The effects of obesity in women are different. The nature of their bodies makes obese women more prone to health problems. Some of the problems due to obesity are really critical and calls for immediate treatments in consultation with a doctor.

Herbalists will swear that the only remedy for this type of obesity is a myriad of herbal remedies, and they may have some merit, but remember the one percent ratio. The third type of obesity is the person that has their entire body affected. The fat tissues in the body affect all organs, and this type of obesity is extremely dangerous.

There are various symptoms of obesity that one should look for, like those mentioned above. Varicose veins could also occur, and in some women, irregular periods due to the excess fat upsetting the balance of hormones in the body. As you can see, obesity can cause a lot of problems. You can start fighting obesity by trying to look for these symptoms. Prevention is always the key in battling obesity, but you can start just by studying the symptoms.

The prevalence of many types of heart disease – including heart attack, congestive heart failure, angina or chest pain and abnormal heart rhythm – is greatly increased for individuals that are overweight or obese. In fact, obese individuals have a 70% increase chance of coronary artery disease. High blood pressure is also twice as common in obese individuals. Additionally, triglyceride (blood fat) levels are typically elevated in those suffering obesity, while HDL cholesterol – known as the ‘good cholesterol’ – is often present in lower amounts.

Obesity in children, if not addressed immediately, can have serious effects on the population. Child obesity has a high likelihood of progressing even during the adult years, which heightens the risk of getting asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease later in life. In the United States, for example, about 15% of children are obese, and the stats don’t seem to decrease per age group. It was also recently reported that an estimated 70% of obese children will tend to remain obese as they grow up.

Q & A on Hormonal Contraception

By, Diepiriye S. Kuku-Siemons, MPH

1. What is meant by Hormonal Contraception? Which hormonal contraceptives are available in India?

Hormonal contraceptives are made up of single or combination female sex hormones: estrogen and progesterone. Synthetic progesterone is commonly referred to as progestin’. The most popular hormonal contraception is the Combined Oral Contraceptive pill (COC). Other hormonal contraceptives include injectables, subdermal implants that release progestins, transdermal patch, vaginal ring, and emergency contraceptive pill.

2. What is the Pill?

Combined or progestin only pills are taken daily and are an effective way to control fertility. If taken consistently and correctly, annually only one in one hundred women using the Pill would be expected to become pregnant.

For many women, especially non-smokers under 35, the benefits of the Pill outweigh the disadvantages. Modern oral contraceptive pills contain lower doses of hormones than before and have far fewer sideeffects. Since its introduction over 40 years ago, users and researchers have confirmed many non-contraceptive benefits of the pill including improved acne, regulation of heavy menstrual cycles as well as decreased risk of osteoporosis and ovarian, endometrial and colorectal cancers.

3. How does the Pill work?

During a woman’s monthly cycle, the release of hormones triggers the ovaries to release an egg. Around this time, the ovaries release further hormones, including estrogen and progesterone, designed to inhibit further conception. These are responsible for many of the changes in a woman’s body during the menstrual cycle.

The Pill mainly works by:

Preventing the ovaries from releasing an egg

Thickening the mucus at the cervix making it more difficult for sperm to enter the womb

Rendering the lining of the womb unsuitable for a fertilised egg to be implanted

4. What is meant by Combined oral contraceptives (COC)

Combined Oral Contraceptives contain a synthetic version of oestrogen – called ethinylestradiol – plus a synthetic version of progesterone, known as a progestogen. The progestogens in current pills are classed as either “second generation” (e.g. norethisterone, levonorgestrel) or “third generation” (e.g. desogestrel or gestodene).

Some brands of oral contraceptive pills are taken for 21 days, followed by a break of seven days before the next course of 21 days. The dose of the oestrogen can be either of a standard strength – 30-35 micrograms or low strength – 20 micrograms. Some products contain pills with two or three different doses of oestrogen to be taken at different times of the cycle.

For women who cannot take oestrogen-based pills, or for those who wish to avoid oestrogen, the progesterone-only pill may be an alternative. The progestogen-only pill, sometimes called the “mini pill” (inaccurately, as it is no smaller than the combined pill) is slightly less reliable than a COC, an is suitable for lactating mothers.

5. What are injectables?

The most common injectable hormonal contraceptive is Depo Prover a hormonal substance also known as DMPA (depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate) that is injected into the muscle in the upper arm or buttocks. Each injection provides contraceptive protection for up to three months without any daily hassle. Injectable hormones prevent pregnancy by suppressing ovulation (egg formation) and thickening the cervical mucous to make sperm entry difficult. In addition it also thins the endometrial lining. As a natural effect of this action, most women experience harmless menstrual cycles changes that naturally return to normal shortly after cessation of the method. /www.fwhc.org/birth-control/bcdepo.htm”>DMPA carries several non-contraceptive benefits including less anemia with no menstrual bleeding, and increased protection from certain cancers.

Depo Provera is a safe, effective, convenient, private, reversible mid-term spacing method. Professional/Regulatory bodies worldwide endorse the safety and effectiveness ofDMPA.

The WHO conducted trials and approved Depo Provera for usage as Contraceptive method in 1979, the United States FDA in 1992, and the UK FDA in 1996.

Drugs Controller of India approved it for clinical trials and usage in the 1998. The Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecological Societies of India, FOGSI approves of the WHO guidelines and continues to promote greater quality of care by insisting that health care providers inform and counsel users regarding the myriad of contraceptive choices with respect to the individual’s medical history and examination. Injectables have expanded basket of choice and its benefits outweigh the clinically insignificant side effects

6. May breastfeeding mothers use Hormonal Contraception like injectables?

DMPA does not affect the quality or quantity of breast milk and is therefore a reasonable choice for breastfeeding mothers. DMPA can be started as early as 6 weeks after delivery.

It is important to note that fully or nearly fully breastfeeding (at least 85% of the baby’s food is breast milk) before the monthly period resumes usually indicates that a woman is unlikely to become pregnant for up to six months after delivery. This natural form of birth spacing is known as the Lactational Amenorrhea Method of contraception, LAM.

7. What are the other hormonal contraceptive methods Patches and implants?

Patches

Combined hormonal contraceptives are also available as an adhesive skin patch (Evra), which is worn for three weeks out of every four.

Implant

An Implant is a narrow flexible rod about the size of a match (40mm x 2mm) that is inserted under the skin of the upper arm. The rod releases a constant amount of progestogen to give contraception for up to three years. The contraceptive effect is reversed soon after the implant is removed.

8. Should a woman stop using injectables or any other hormonal contraception because she has no menstrual bleeding for a long time (Amenorrhea)?

Menstrual cycle changes should not discourage women from exploring these methods. Amenorrhea is a normal response to injectables as well as several other hormonal contraceptives. There is no medical reason to stop using hormonal contraceptives because of amenorrhea. Moreover, absence of bleeding can make some women healthier because it helps to prevent anemia.

9. Can young women, older women, and women without children use Injectable contraceptives?

You and old women may use DMPA. A health care provider will be able to determine an individual’s eligibility given their specific case history and a current medical examination. The effects of hormonal contraceptives are completely reversible. In fact, a recent World Health Organization statement reaffirms that extended use of Depo Provera does not lead to permanent health changes. DMPA users return to normal fertility an average of 4 months after the last injection.

10. Is it a misconception that use of COC or other hormonal contraceptives run a risk of causing cancer?

Oral contraceptives have not been proved to cause any common cancer. In fact, Oral Contraceptives and DMPA/Depo Provera have been shown to help prevent two common forms of cancer: Cancer of the ovaries and cancer of the endometrium (lining of the womb). DMPA appears to be safe for women of any age. The World Health Organization declares DMPA safe, and concludes that the advantages of the method generally outweigh any theoretical disadvantage. In general, young women can use DMPA.

Cosmetic Surgery Definition and Overview

According to the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, Cosmetic Surgery is a subspecialty of medicine and surgery that uniquely restricts itself to the enhancement of appearance through surgical and medical techniques. It is specifically concerned with maintaining normal appearance, restoring it, or enhancing it beyond the average level toward some aesthetic ideal.

Cosmetic Surgery is a multi-disciplinary and comprehensive approach directed to all areas of the head, neck, and body. The Cosmetic Surgeon offers specialized expertise in patient education and counseling, procedural skills, and the early recognition and treatment of complications.

Competency in Cosmetic Surgery implies a combination of; knowledge, surgical judgment, technical expertise and ethics in order to achieve the goal of providing aesthetic improvement.

SmartHealthbuyer.com and help with selecting the appropriate cosmetic surgery

SmartHealthbuyer.com has compiled information regarding cosmetic surgeon across 300 metro areas in the United States, offering various specialized cosmetic surgery treatments. Broadly speaking Cosmetic Surgery can be classified into three types, the general cosmetic surgery, facial cosmetic surgery, and dermatologic cosmetic surgery. By accessing SmartHealthBuyer.com you can study all this information and more!

For example, SmartHealthbuyer.com will provide you access to details about various treatment plans being offered in each of these subcategories and some very popular cosmetic surgeries being performed currently are, eyelid raises, facelifts, rhinoplasty, breast augmentation, liposuction, buttock implants, breast lifts, breast reduction, Botox, lip augmentation, dermabrasion, spider vein treatment, mole removal, collagen injections, facial rejuvenations and a whole plethora of treatment plans which include cellulite treatments, gastric bypass, laser hair removals, and mesotherapy etc.,

SmartHealthbuyer.com will help you find out about the latest treatments being offered in cosmetic surgery which is much simpler than sifting through 100s of websites to understand what is new in the industry. Later, of course, you can do your own research also and confirm findings.

Treatment cost and availing the best price for your cosmetic surgery treatment plan

Arriving at the best price for the cosmetic surgery treatment chosen by you can become a huge challenge if you arent aware of the rates being charged by cosmetic surgeons for various treatment plans. At SmartHealthbuyer.com you can find out and go through the price lists of various cosmetic surgery treatment plans being offered.

By providing the details of your location, state, city, and zip code, at SmartHealthbuyer.com you will be able to go through the entire database of listed cosmetic surgeons and the price lists for treatment plans in your preferred location. Of course, prices could vary depending upon location, experience and expertise of the cosmetic surgeon, and also the extent of surgery required, but through the SmartHealthbuyer.com price engine you will be able to calculate an estimated cost per treatment plan. At SmartHealthbuyer.com you can also compare rates offered by various cosmetic surgeons and arrive at an average price for the chosen treatment. All these details and costs will help you arrive at the best price offered and make sure you are aware of the rates that are being charged for such treatments and plan your finances accordingly. Please note that pricing alone is NOT a good indication of the quality of care you can expect. SmartHealthBuyer makes is easier to compare Practitioners, as well as to check their experience and qualifications.

Locating an expert cosmetic surgeon with SmartHealthbuyer.com

Going in for cosmetic surgery is commendable and to perform cosmetic surgery according to your specifications and requirement you need an expert in the filed. Locating an experienced cosmetic surgeon can pose a huge challenge. To help you with this SmartHealthbuyer.com has created a business directory with the details, credentials, and reviews of cosmetic surgeons across 300 city areas in the United States.

By logging into SmartHealthbuyer.com and providing the details of your city, state, and zip code you will be able to access information and details for all the listed cosmetic surgeons in the SmartHealthbuyer.com database. This information will help you go through cosmetic surgeons in your area and you will be able to short-list names of possible cosmetic surgeons that meet your requirement and criteria.

What to look for in a cosmetic surgeon?

Deciding on a good cosmetic surgeon is extremely important because cosmetic surgery is an experts job and the precision, care, and expertise with which surgery is handled becomes doubly critical because besides enhancing your appearance the surgeon should ensure that there is no other damage caused in the process.

Most importantly your cosmetic surgeon should ascertain your level of fitness and establish that you do not have any other medical history or conditions that come in the way of cosmetic surgery and result in any untoward incident later.

Take the case of Donda West, former chairwoman of Chicago State University’s English department and mother of famous rap artist Kanye West. Donda had undergone plastic surgery prior to her death. Though was Donda was advised against plastic surgery by her first surgeon, Dr. Andre Aboolian, Donda decided to go ahead with the surgery and approached another plastic surgeon, Dr. Jan Adams, of TV show, Before and After claim.

Dr. Adams performed tummy tucks and breast reduction surgeries on Ms. West who died later. According to plastic surgeon Dr. Adams, Ms. West died from a heart attack, pulmonary embolism or massive vomiting.

The question is, if another plastic surgeon, Dr. Andre Aboolian, had refused surgery on Ms. West because of an underlying health risk, how could Dr. Adams go ahead with the procedures? Medical board records show that Dr. Adams had two malpractice suits filed against him. According to Associated Press reports, Dr. Adams has a history of DUI, two malpractice suits in the years 2001 and 2003.

It is therefore mandatory that you check, verify, confirm and research all information available before selecting a cosmetic surgeon. At SmartHealthbuyer.com will make it easier for you to look up credentials, certifications, experience, qualifications, and educational background of all the cosmetic surgeons listed in the SmartHealthbuyer.com database.

At SmartHealthbuyer.com you will be able read reviews, recommendations, and references provided by various patients for the listed cosmetic surgeons, which will enable you to establish the experience and expertise of available cosmetic surgeons in your area. Once you have the details of experienced cosmetic surgeons, you can do a further study by visiting their websites on the internet and confirm the findings. Save yourself a lot of time, energy, and effort log on to SmartHealthbuyer.com and access our database for all that you want to know about cosmetic surgery treatment plans, best prices, and expert cosmetic surgeons who value your life and looks!

There are many contraceptive methods, but not each method is suitable for everyone. You need to find out whether you are monogamous. You need to figure out if a contraceptive method is suitable for your lifestyle. The best contraceptive method, obviously, is not to have it, but it is not the preferred method for most.

Condoms are the best contraceptive method for avoiding pregnancy and STDs. Only a few percentage points of failure is reported. You should make sure that you are using the latex-type, as the animal skin are not effective enough. There are also condoms available for female. Condoms are really very good if you do not mind the feeling that condom brings during having sex or you have many partners.

Another contraceptive method is diaphragm, which has a firm and flexible ring, is placed behind the woman’s pubic bone. The ring helps it press against the vaginal walls.

There is a spermicide, which can be used with or without a condom or diaphragm. You’d better use a condom when you choose this contraceptive method if you don’t have sex with only one person. Spermicides kill sperm to prevent pregnancy.

There are contraceptive pills, which can be a common prescription of contraception or a more known brand. Sometimes the contraceptive pill really makes people sick. It’s hard for people to remember to take the contraceptive pills. Nordette contraceptive pills make the cervical wall changing and preventing pregnancy. Contraceptive pill does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases, so you should only use oral contraceptives if you are in a monogamous relationship.

The morning-after pill, also called emergency contraceptive pill, is well known as Plan B. It can be taken up to 72 hours after having unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy. It is different from the abortion pill. Tablets makes it only as a sperm T ‘can be implanted easily. This method doesn’t protect against sexually transmitted diseases also. This method can really make you sick and hormonal. This method allows you to really hormonal. You should try to avoid using this method, if at any possible.

There are IUDs, being placed in the uterus. It also can prevent pregnancy. There are patches also can be used to avoid being pregnant. You can get a shot. All these methods obviously can not protect against sexually transmitted diseases.

There are “pull out” method of ejaculation outside the body. It may be difficult, because you can have pre-ejaculation that is not noticed as much, but still can lead to pregnancy. It will not protect against sexually transmitted diseases and it is difficult to do so.

You can find out when you are ovulating and only have sex on the days you are not as fertile. This is not a very good idea. Sometimes there can be miscalculations. This method has no rights to protect sexually transmitted diseases.

Woman may take an abortion as a contraceptive method. Of course this is not the best option, but it still forms of contraception. This can be done through a procedure, or by taking a pill.

Make sure you have done a research for your life and your options with your partner before choosing a contraceptive method. Make sure you are well protected against pregnancy. If you are having sex with someone who is sleeping with others, you should use a condom. Do you know what is the best contraceptive methods now? The answer is the one suitable for you is the best.

Read more Contraceptive Methods articles from http://www.contraceptive-methods.com/.

The BMI is a statistical measurement derived from your height and weight. Although it is considered to be a useful way to estimate healthy body weight, it does not measure the percentage of body fat. The BMI measurement can sometimes be misleading – a muscleman may have a high BMI but have much less fat than an unfit person whose BMI is lower. However, in general, the BMI measurement can be a useful indicator for the ‘average person’
What is Obesity?

An obese person has accumulated so much body fat that it might have a negative effect on their health. If a person’s bodyweight is at least 20% higher than it should be, he or she is considered obese. If your Body Mass Index (BMI) is between 25 and 29.9 you are considered overweight. If your BMI is 30 or over you are considered obese.

People become obese for several reasons, including:

Consuming too many calories.
People are eating much more than they used to. This used to be the case just in developed nations – however, the trend has spread worldwide. Despite billions of dollars being spent on public awareness campaigns that attempt to encourage people to eat healthily, the majority of us continue to overeat. In 1980 14% of the adult population of the USA was obese; by 2000 the figure reached 31% (The Obesity Society).

In the USA, the consumption of calories increased from 1,542 per day for women in 1971 to 1,877 per day in 2004. The figures for men were 2,450 in 1971 and 2,618 in 2004. Most people would expect this increase in calories to consist of fat – not so! Most of the increased food consumption has consisted of carbohydrates (sugars). Increased consumption of sweetened drinks has contributed significantly to the raised carbohydrate intake of most young American adults over the last three decades. The consumption of fast-foods has tripled over the same period.

Various other factors also may have contributed to America’s increased calorie and carbohydrate intake:

In 1984 the Reagan administration freed up advertising on sweets and fast foods for children – regulations had previously set limits.
Agricultural policies in most of the developed world have led to much cheaper foods.
The US Farm Bill meant that the source of processed foods came from subsidized wheat, corn and rice. Corn, wheat and rice became much cheaper than fruit and vegetables.

Leading a sedentary lifestyle.
With the arrival of televisions, computers, video games, remote controls, washing machines, dish washers and other modern convenience devices, the majority of people are leading a much more sedentary lifestyle compared to their parents and grandparents. Some decades ago shopping consisted of walking down the road to the high street where one could find the grocers, bakers, banks, etc. As large out-of-town supermarkets and shopping malls started to appear, people moved from using their feet to driving their cars to get their provisions. In some countries, such as the USA, dependence on the car has become so strong that many people will drive even if their destination is only half-a-mile away.

The less you move around the fewer calories you burn. However, this is not only a question of calories. Physical activity has an effect on how your hormones work, and hormones have an effect on how your body deals with food. Several studies have shown that physical activity has a beneficial effect on your insulin levels – keeping them stable. Unstable insulin levels are closely associated with weight gain.

Not sleeping enough.
If you do not sleep enough your risk of becoming obese doubles, according to research carried out at Warwick Medical School at the University of Warwick. The risk applies to both adults and children. Professor Francesco Cappuccio and team reviewed evidence in over 28,000 children and 15,000 adults. Their evidence clearly showed that sleep deprivation significantly increased obesity risk in both groups.

Professor Cappuccio said, “The ‘epidemic’ of obesity is paralleled by a ‘silent epidemic’ of reduced sleep duration with short sleep duration linked to increased risk of obesity both in adults and in children. These trends are detectable in adults as well as in children as young as 5 years.”
Professor Cappuccio explains that sleep deprivation may lead to obesity through increased appetite as a result of hormonal changes. If you do not sleep enough you produce Ghrelin, a hormone that stimulates appetite. Lack of sleep also results in your body producing less Leptin, a hormone that suppresses appetite.

Endocrine disruptors, such as some foods that interfere with lipid metabolism.
A team from the University of Barcelona (UB) led by Dr Juan Carlos Laguna published a study in the journal Hepatology that provides clues to the molecular mechanism through which fructose (a type of sugar) in beverages may alter lipid energy metabolism and cause fatty liver and metabolic syndrome.

Fructose is mainly metabolized in the liver, the target organ of the metabolic alterations caused by the consumption of this sugar. In this study, rats receiving fructose-containing beverages presented a pathology similar to metabolic syndrome, which in the short term causes lipid accumulation (hypertriglyceridemia) and fatty liver, and eventually leads to hypertension, resistance to insulin, diabetes and obesity.

Lower rates of smoking (smoking suppresses appetite).
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) “Not everyone gains weight when they stop smoking. Among people who do, the average weight gain is between 6 and 8 pounds. Roughly 10 percent of people who stop smoking gain a large amount of weight – 30 pounds or more.”

Medications that make patients put on weight.
According to an article in Annals of Pharmacotherapy, some medications cause weight gain. “Clinically significant weight gain is associated with some commonly prescribed medicines. There is wide interindividual variation in response and variation of the degree of weight gain within drug classes. Where possible, alternative therapy should be selected, especially for individuals predisposed to overweight and obesity.”

Obesity treatments have two objectives:

To achieve a healthy weight.
To maintain that healthy weight.

People who are obese are often discouraged because they think they have to lose a lot of weight before any benefits are experienced. This is not true. Any obese person who loses just five to ten per cent of their body weight will have significant improvement in health – this would mean between 12-25 pounds for an obese person who weighs 250 pounds.

It is important for patients to realize that a small drop in weight is a good start and a great achievement. Experts have found that obese people who lose weight slowly and constantly, say one or two pounds each week, are more successful in keeping their weight down when they have reached their target weight.

According to the Mayo Clinic, successful and permanent weight loss is best achieved as a result of increased physical activity, changing how and when you eat, and modifying your behavior. Some patients may be prescribed medication, while others might undergo weight-loss surgery.

Dietary changes

The Mayo Clinic advises obese people to reduce their total daily calorie intake and to consume more fruits, vegetables and whole grains. It is important that your diet is varied – you still need to feed yourself, and should continue to enjoy the tastes of different foods. The consumption of sugar, certain refined carbohydrates and some fats should be reduced significantly.

Ideally, you should work with your doctor, a dietician, and/or a well-known weight-loss program.

Trying to lose weight quickly by crash-dieting carries the following risks:

You may develop health problems
You will probably experience vitamin deficiencies
You chances of failure are significantly higher

People who are seriously obese may be prescribed a very low calorie liquid diet. These must be done with a health care professional.

Physical activityhe more you move your body the more calories you burn. To lose a kilogram of fat you need to burn 8,000 calories (1 pound of fat = 3,500 calories). Walking briskly is a good way to start increasing your physical activity if you are obese. Combining increased physical activity with a good diet will significantly increase your chances of losing weight successfully and permanently!

If you are very obese, are unfit, or have some health problems, make sure you check with a health care professional before increasing your physical activity.

Prescription:

Prescription medications should really only be considered as a last resort. If the patient finds it extremely hard to shed the pounds, or if his obesity has reached such a point as to significantly undermine his health, then prescription drugs may become an option.

According to the Mayo Clinic prescription medications should only be considered if:

Other strategies to lose weight have failed
The patient’s BMI is over 27 and he also has diabetes, hypertension, or sleep apnea.
The patient’s BMI is over 30

There are two approved drugs a physician may consider, Sibutramine (Meridia in USA/Canada, Reductil in Europe and much of the world) or Orlistat (Xenical). Bear in mind that as soon as you stop taking these drugs the overweight problem generally comes back – they have to be taken indefinitely. Some patients may not respond to these drugs, while others may find their beneficial effects may lessen somewhat after a few months.

Weight loss surgery (WLS) is also known as Bariatric Surgery. It comes from the Greek work baros, which means weight.

WLS is a development of cancer/ulcer operations that consisted of removing part of a patient’s stomach or small intestine. Those cancer/ulcer patients subsequently lost weight after surgery. Doctors decided the procedure might be beneficial for morbidly obese patients.

In 2008 about 220,000 bariatric operations were carried out in the USA (American Society for Bariatric Surgery). As obesity levels in America and many other parts of the world grow, so does the number of bariatric procedures. About 15 million people in the U.S. have morbid obesity; only 1% of the clinically eligible population is being treated for morbid obesity through bariatric surgery. According to the American Society for Bariatric Surgery, the average female surgery patient weighs about 300 pounds.

The American Society for Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery says that Bariatric surgery can improve or resolve more than 30 obesity-related conditions, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, sleep apnea, hypertension and high cholesterol .

Basically, bariatric surgery alters your stomach or small intestine so that you are unable to consume much food in one sitting. This reduces the total number of calories you consume each day, thus helping to lose weight.

There are two types of bariatric surgeries:

Restrictive procedures - These make your stomach smaller. The surgeon may use a gastric band, staples, or both. After the operation the patient cannot consume more than about one cup of food during each sitting, significantly reducing his food intake. Over time, some patients’ stomachs may stretch and they are gradually able to consumer larger quantities.
Malabsorptive procedures - Parts of the digestive system, especially the first part of the small intestine (duodenum) or the mid-section (jejunum), are bypassed. Doctors may also reduce the size of the stomach. This procedure is generally more effective than restrictive procedures. However, the patient has a higher risk of experiencing vitamin/mineral deficiencies because overall absorption is reduced.

Health risks associated with obesity:

Bone and cartilage degeneration (Osteoarthritis)
Obesity is an important risk factor for osteoarthritis in most joints, especially at the knee joint (the most important site for osteoarthritis). Obesity confers a nine times increased risk in knee joint osteoarthritis in women. Osteoarthritis risk is also linked to obesity for other joints. A recent study indicated that obesity is a strong determinant of thumb base osteoarthritis in both sexes. Data suggest that metabolic and mechanical factors mediate the effects of obesity on joints (University of Bristol).
Coronary heart disease
Obesity carries a penalty of an associated adverse cardiovascular risk profile. Largely as a consequence of this, it is associated with an excess occurrence of cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality. (Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Tennessee)
Gallbladder disease
Being overweight is a significant risk factor for gallstones. In such cases, the liver over-produces cholesterol, which is then delivered into the bile causing it to become supersaturated. Some evidence suggests that specific dietary factors (saturated fats and refined sugars) are the primary culprit in these cases (University of Maryland Medical Center)
High blood pressure (Hypertension)
There are multiple reasons why obesity causes hypertension, but it seems that excess adipose (fat) tissue secretes substances that are acted on by the kidneys, resulting in hypertension. Moreover, with obesity there are generally higher amounts of insulin produced. Excess insulin elevates blood pressure. (Weight.com)
High total cholesterol, high levels of triglycerides (Dyslipidemia)
The primary dyslipidemia related to obesity is characterized by increased triglycerides, decreased HDL levels, and abnormal LDL composition. (Howard BV, Ruotolo G, Robbins DC.)
Respiratory problems
Obesity can also cause respiratory problems. Breathing is difficult as the lungs are decreased in size and the chest wall becomes very heavy and difficult to lift. (Medical College of Wisconsin)
Several cancers
In 2002, approximately 41,000 new cases of cancer in the USA were thought to be due to obesity. In other words, about 3.2% of all new cancers are linked to obesity
Sleep apnea
Obesity has been found to be linked to sleep apnea. Also, weight reduction has been associated with comparable reductions in the severity of sleep apnea. (NHLBI)
Stroke
Rising obesity rates have been linked to more strokes among women aged 35 to 54.
Type 2 diabetes
One of the strongest risk factors for type 2 diabetes is obesity, and this is also one of the most modifiable as it can be partially controlled through diet and exercise.