Your Weight and Your Health

Many health experts believe that the US is now in the midst of an obesity epidemic. According to the CDC’s latest official statistics 39.8% (93.3 million) of US adults are obese (37.9% for men and 41.1% for women); and 17% of children and adolescents aged 2–19 years are obese. In general, terms obesity means you weigh at least 20% more than what is ideal for someone your height, often because of body fat. In addition, it is believed that 63.8% (149.6 million) of US adults are overweight (this includes the obese). These numbers have been rapidly rising since the 1970’s and are expected to continue on that trajectory. 

The categories of normal weight, overweight, obesity, and extreme obesity are determined by the BMI (body mass index) measurement. To learn the specifics of this click here: https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/assessing/bmi/index.html

Being overweight is a major health issue. If you are overweight, you have a significantly greater risk factor for several health issues including: breathing, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, osteoarthritis, gallstones, Type 2 diabetes, gout, high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney disease, sleep apnea, pregnancy difficulties, and cancer. Notice these are among the leading causes of preventable and premature death. 

Being overweight is also a cost issue, to both the individual and the society. It is estimated that an overweight person will have medical expenses over $1,400 per year higher than those of a normal weight person. This adds up to over $150 billion dollars nationwide in excess annual medical costs!

Let’s further explore the health issues related to obesity:

Breathing - Your larger body may prevent your lungs from expanding fully, and your breathing muscles may not work as well, so you can't take enough air in. Inflammation linked to belly fat may also affect your lungs. You could get winded quickly while doing simple activities like climbing stairs. Extra weight can make asthma symptoms and COPD worse.

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) – The build-up of fat in your liver creates scar tissue (a condition known as cirrhosis). This may eventually shut your liver down completely, leading to death. Often these symptoms do not appear until the damage is done.

Osteoarthritis – Extra weight places additional strain on your joints and cartilage creating pain and stiffness, particularly in the knees, hips, and lower back. Excess body fat is also a trigger for inflammation. 

Gallstones –Overweight people tend to have more bad cholesterol and triglycerides in their blood which increases the formation of gallstones. Gallstones may damage the gallbladder and necessitate its removal.

Type 2 Diabetes – Being overweight is often caused by a diet high in sugar and carbohydrates. Overtime this results in a condition called insulin resistance. Your body makes insulin to remove the excess sugar from your blood. Due to extended periods of high insulin in your blood your body loses the ability to properly get the glucose out. Sustained high blood sugar can lead to diabetes and leads to trouble with your heart, nerves, eyes, and more. This also creates more inflammation in your body.

Gout - Uric acid builds up in your body forming tiny, sharp crystals that cause pain in your big toe, ankle, or knee. The higher the blood sugar levels and the belly fat, the greater the likelihood of having a gout episode.

High Blood Pressure – The larger your body, the more work your heart has to pump blood to all of your cells. As you gain weight you are creating new fat cells that need blood! The increase in force necessary to distribute the blood pushes on your artery walls damaging them and creating inflammation.

Heart Disease –Diabetes, high blood pressure, high insulin, osteoarthritis, and the related inflammation stresses the arteries making them thick and stiff. Narrow or clogged vessels are unable to get blood efficiently throughout the body. While you may not immediately notice symptoms, over time poor circulation may cause a heart attack, heart failure, or a stroke.

Kidney Disease – The kidneys filter your blood and help control your blood pressure. Fat build up and clogged blood vessels in the kidneys reduce their functionality. This can cause waste to buildup in your body, a dangerous condition. Kidney disease is often closely associated with high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease. 

Sleep Apnea - A thick neck from excess fat narrows your airway, making it harder to breathe at night. This causes sleep disturbances such as loud snoring or the cessation of breathing for a short period of time throughout the night. Lack of sleep impacts the body’s ability to repair and being tired can cause cognitive, mood, memory, and heart issues.

Pregnancy Issues – Being overweight increases the likelihood of gestational diabetes and preeclampsia, needing a C-section to give birth, and that your baby may be born too soon, be stillborn, or have brain or spinal cord issues. 

Cancer – Some cancers, including breast, prostate, colorectal, endometrial, and kidney are associated with excess estrogen. Fat cells make estrogen. 

As we look at the health issues listed above, the statistics associated with being overweight, and the current state of health across the country the only conclusion is that something must be done! Everyone needs to look at themselves in the mirror (literally) and decide if they need to lose weight.

For the past thirteen years Rosen Wellness has helped many clients resolve health issues such as poor digestion, hormone imbalances, headaches, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, rashes, and detoxification. Weight loss frequently occurs as a natural result of improving how the body functions and reducing inflammation. However, addressing and sustaining weight loss of over 10 pounds often provided a challenge. 

There are many weight-loss programs available. The truth is that most of them are effective in achieving initial weight loss. But the bottom line is that 95% of the time all the weight lost is gained back. What has been missing was a program that addresses not only the short-term desire for weight loss, but helps the client develop and engage in a new healthier lifestyle for their lifetime. This is the reason we have introduced SHAPE ReClaimed® at Rosen Wellness.

SHAPE ReClaimed® is such a program. It is done in three-phases. During Phase I you will cleanse, detoxify, release excess weight, reduce inflammation, balance brain chemistry, improve immunity and redefine your relationship with food. Phase I is for a minimum of three weeks or until you reach your weight loss goal. In Phase II you will stabilize your brain chemistry and metabolism and learn more about your relationship with food and discover food intolerances. This Phase is critical to your ongoing success and is for three weeks. In Phase III you will utilize the knowledge you have gained from the first two phases and establish healthy, long-term habits – your new lifestyle! Phase III is now how you live your life. Unlike most weight loss programs, SHAPE ReClaimed® is practitioner supervised from start to finish and you will be monitored regularly to support lasting success. 

If you are interested in learning more about the SHAPE ReClaimed® program offered at Rosen Wellness please contact us and we will be glad to explain more about this fantastic program and work with you to achieve your goals and transform your health. To learn more about SHAPE ReClaimed® click here: https://brwellness.com/?page_id=1390

Why wait? Jump start your health today!

Bernard Rosen, PhD is a Nutrition Consultant and Educator.  He works with individuals, groups, and at corporations to create individualized nutrition and wellness programs.  His office is in Mequon, WI.  To learn more or to schedule an appointment, call (262) 389-9907 or go to www.brwellness.com.