If you are reading this site, you probably already know that being substantially overweight is not good for you. You already know about increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer from obesity. Despite the protests of the “fat acceptance” movement regarding the possibility of being “fit but fat”, scientists keep finding more ways that extra weight is bad for you.
In just the last week, new research has been released with these findings:
- Women with extra weight around their hips are more likely to experience “cognitive decline”, the polite way of saying dementia. Scientists don’t yet know why.
- Weight loss in overweight or obese women helps these women experience fewer hot flashes, a very unpleasant but common side effect of menopause.
- Low calorie diets expand the lifespan, and scientists are starting to learn why.
- Men who are obese at age 20 are likely to die 8 years sooner than men who were normal weight. Scientists admit that they don’t know whether the problem is the extra weight at age 20, or keeping that weight on for years afterward. It is likely to be the latter.
These are all very good reasons to try very hard to get to — or maintain! — a normal weight. Nevertheless, shaming people into losing weight doesn’t work. The desire and motivation to get into shape must come from within. There’s some truth to the joke about how many psychiatrists it takes to change a light bulb: only one, but the light bulb has to want to change. We work hard to present information about living as long and healthy a life as possible, and often that revolves around diet and exercise because obesity is one of the greatest threats to human health. Hopefully, you will find this to be a supportive resource that will help you towards your own health and fitness goals.
