Obesity is a Disease
Since 2013, obesity has been classified medically as a disease instead of a condition. More than 500 million people around the globe are estimated to be obese by the World Health Organization. It is currently defined by body mass index (BMI) (also see: What BMI is not telling you).
Obesity has been known to be the risk factors for many diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, arthritis, asthma and certain cancers. (also see: 5 Obesity associated diseases you may not know)
Many reviews of studies has shown an average of 6-7 years of reduction in life expectancy in people with obesity. (1)
The more we know about obesity and how it can lower our quality of life physically and mentally, the more we can proactively make better lifestyle choices.
Here are some of the less obvious reasons why we should maintain a healthy weight:
1. More Energy
Other than less dead weight to carry around, reducing the amount of fat means less excess blood vessels and less cardio output. Our body won't need to spend the extra energy therefore more energy to enjoy life.
2. Less Pain
Excessive fat on the body means more weight to bear for our muscles and joints. Every pound of excess weight is equal to 4 pounds of pressure on our knee joints.
Excessive belly weight puts tremendous pressure on small muscle groups like the lower back and causes pain.
Imaging taking 4 pounds off our knee joints when we lose a pound of excess weight. Our joints can become so much healthier. There would be less need for joint replacement surgeries and pain killers.
3. Fertility
Obesity is known to affect our ability to conceive. Healthier weight not only improve our hormonal profile to optimally position ourselves for conception, it also improves problems with erectile dysfunction and sex drive.
Also see: Food Combinations that make you gain weight