Your Best Health Pro

The medical world describes the cause of obesity as follows: “An increase in body fat (both visceral and nonvisceral (subcutaneous) requires that energy intake be increased over energy expenditure.” This short description is followed by a lengthy “however” and is destined for doctors who are trained to understand what is written.

In short, obesity has many causes, among which are included genetic disorders, gland disorders, hormonal disorders and metabolism disorders, only to name a few. Suffice it to say that if you want to find the real reason for your obesity, you will need to consult a medical doctor.

The general opinion on obesity could also be summed up as: “people who don’t look that great anymore”, but this is only a popular point of view, trust me I know, I used to be obese. Obesity is a real epidemic, a disease of enormous proportions that is spreading fast all over the world.

The extra mass caused by overweight has many consequences, adding a heavy risk index on the obese person’s survival chances. Having to heave the extra weight, the individual is also less inclined to be physically active, which set in motion a vicious circle causing an aggravation of the problem.

The added weight also puts extra strain on the body’s joints and bones, causing all sorts of discomfort and aches. Often early arthritis set in. In most cases, obesity is caused by consistently eating the wrong type of food, which leads to having much higher cholesterol levels in the bloodstream. This in turn impairs the correct functioning of heart and blood vessels, which can result in high blood pressure and heart failure.

The important layers of added fatty tissue are also the cause of another problem: apnea, or the cessation of breathing during sleep. As the muscles around the throat and neck completely relax during the first phases of deeper sleep, the weight of the fatty tissues causes the throat to collapse, blocking the flow of air. This breaks the cycle of natural recuperation, adding more problems to those already present.

Obesity is associated with many medical problems, most of which improve with weight loss. Both men and women suffering from obesity are at increased risk for the following:

Reduced life expectancy
Diabetes mellitus
Gallstones
Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Osteoarthritis
Coronary heart disease
Abnormal blood lipids
Stroke
Sleep apnea
Cancer (colon and prostate cancer in men; uterine and gallbladder cancer in women)

Nowadays, most professionals will measure obesity according to Quetelet’s BMI, or Body Mass Index. It is named after the Belgian scientist, Adolphe Quetelet who invented the method. The BMI is a measurement technique producing a value which takes into consideration a person’s height, gender and weight. It is compared to a chart which is obtained by applying statistics (which implies it was defined only after making a very large number of measurements) so that the results are put in evidence in relation to an average.

The BMI is calculated from a person’s height and weight as follows:

BMI = body weight (in kilograms) / height (in meters) squared.

A BMI between 25 and 30 kg/m2 is considered overweight.
A BMI greater than 30 kg/m2 is considered to be obese.
A waist circumference greater than 35 inches (88 cm) in women and 40 inches (102 cm) in men indicates that there is an excessive amount of fat in the abdominal area.

There are many BMI calculators online, you will find one easily by doing an online search for the “Centers for Disease Control and Prevention” or by typing “BMI calculator”.

Obesity is causing the world economy to lose billions of dollars every year.

Joe is webmaster for YouEatItYouWearIt since January 2008 when he decided that he would put up an internet site to share his dieting experience with anyone struggling with an overweight problem. He managed to lose more than 35 kilos (100 lbs) some 18 years ago and keep it that way. How he managed this is freely shared on http://www.youeatityouwearit.com for everyone to see and he publishes his articles on the subject here on EzineArticles.

The statistics on overweight Americans is staggering! Studies that have been conducted since the 1970’s show that the percentages of overweight Americans; has more than doubled. Studies conducted by the Center for Disease Control in 2001 show; 62% of adults and 34% of children are overweight or obese. A Reuters’ poll in 2001 shows that 80% of adults over 25 are overweight based on the body mass index (BMI); a national guideline computed through a combination of height and weight. Overweight and obese people risk health problems like hypertension, high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes. Overweight people are also more likely to be depressed.

And if the CDC statistics don’t paint a gloomy enough picture; HRSA/ASD Obesity/Weight Control Report

” 3.8 million Americans carry over 300 pounds
” With the average adult woman weighing in at a staggering 163!
” Perhaps the most shocking statistics underscoring obesity in the United States is that 400,000 Americans (mostly men) fall into a super-massive 400+ pound category

So why are so many Americans overweight? The surgeon general has said that obesity could soon cause as much preventable disease as smoking.

Some people can live their life eating all the food they like with no concerns of weight gain, others constantly are on a “diet” and can’t lose the weight. Could it be that diet alone isn’t the answer? Diet pills promise to; absorb, block, burn and metabolize fat. No matter what promises the marketing departments for these magical pills can come up with; NO PILL ALONE can help to lose weight!

Throughout the last century tremendous achievements have been made so that we do not have to work as hard. These improvements mean less physical activity at work and home. There are fewer occupations requiring significant physical work. The invention of the automobile and energy-saving devices at home and work, and the attractiveness and availability of home entertainment and computers have contributed to less active lifestyles. Improving life is making people less active.

Less activity should mean less food intake but, statistics show that this isn’t the case. Energy intake has not kept in time with the reduction in physical activity. The results for this inactivity are an increase in the prevalence of obesity. Physical activity helps you control your weight by using excess calories that would otherwise be stored as fat.

Girls who were inactive during adolescence gained an average of 10 to 15 pounds more than active girls, according to results of a 10-year observational study of obesity. Experts recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on most, if not all, days of the week. People who are overweight or obese often have other health problems and may be afraid or find it difficult to exercise.

Physical activity increases the amount of energy you use. Although most weight-loss programs incorporate an exercise program-such as jogging or biking-you can also use more energy by changing some everyday activities, such as washing your car yourself instead of going to a car wash. Participating in social activities that increase activity, such as joining a gardening club or dancing, also increases your energy use. Strength training is also an important part of a weight-loss program.

Patrick Hays is a freelance writer and journalist. You can learn more about Why 80% of Americans are overweight visit: http://www.martialarts3000.com

Losing weight is tough; that’s what they say. But does it have to be that way? There are so many programs, pills, plans out there for rapid weight loss that it is mind boggling. Consumers often turn to weight loss product reviews or information on what to eat to lose weight fast, but often times these methods to learn about weight loss are flawed. They don’t tell you the whole truth.

These sources want you the buy their programs. They advertise weight loss without a diet, or how to lose a lot of weight fast and in reality they are offering you nothing but water weight loss or dieting tips that you’ve seen over and over and have not helped you lose a pound much less lose it faster. Even doctors want you to buy into their programs, their surgeries. The more problems you have the more money they make right? So it only makes sense that they wouldn’t want to give you the answer to your mast burning question.

The burning questions: Why can’t I lose weight? Why do men lose weight faster than women, why do some people seem to lose weight without a diet, or without exercise? It’s the problem of the masses. American is fat; we hear this all the time, in the news, in the papers. It seems to be the European them they repeat the mantra almost as if they look down their noses at us. Fat Americans. And yet there is some truth in it, we seem to be spiraling downhill. Once, it was the minority in the obese column and now it is the majority and even our children are settling in that dreaded overweight category.

Obesity is not normal. No one who has experienced obesity will tell you they have had a normal moment. The vicious cycle claims an overweight person. The cravings for food, food is the enemy, the guilt bombards and they feel the stare of strangers watching every bite. Normal life escapes an overweight person because of the gilt of food, the pressure of a prepossessing society forcing its view of what is pretty and what is not. Escape from this sort of life has to be possible, no one wants to live life feeling fat and out of place.

We are bombarded be the ads for greasy, yummy fat filled concoctions that tempt us to the breaking point. We all have our soft spots, our weaknesses. Chocolate for some, ice cream for others and greasy fast food delights the masses. In this day and age of fast calorie laden food how is it possible to avoid the pitfall of obesity.

We need to adjust or view. Change our thinking. So diet and exercise haven’t been working the population of the U.S. has proven that. We need something new It isn’t and shouldn’t be as hard as you think. There are things out there today that are known to a seclect few. These secrets to weight loss are helping people rid themselves of pounds and harmful build up that can even kill you.

There are harmful things in our bodies that prevent us from losing weight, that make the processes of the body sluggish to the point where we are unable to lose weight or we plateau and can’t lose anymore. People who do lose weight can’t keep it off. Getting rid of harmful substances in the body can change the way the body is working. The body can then stop concentrating on these harmful substances and focus on harmful fat.

Yes, it can be that easy; a simple answer that has escaped people fro years and now is getting out and changing lives. Find out more about this subject at http://www.isearchfordeals/loseweightnow

Author Sara Bilden writes on a variety of topics. To learn more about this topic Sara recommends you visit: The Weight Loss Secret

Topic: Alcohol Rehab: Understanding Addiction:

Alcohol Rehab has made many changes since the days of locked doors and smoke-filled meeting halls. There has been considerable research into the psychological factors that underlie addiction. There are still many conflicting theories as to the root causes of addiction. Some still consider alcohol as a “disease” suggesting a cause inflicted from some outside force acting on the body, a more modern version, but not unlike earlier notions that alcoholics were possessed by the devil.

Modern psychologists have come to believe that a combination of internalized beliefs, psychological or physical traumas, and other emotional factors are more likely the cause of addictions. Recent findings have identified feelings of helplessness as being central to the addiction process. The addict, driven by this helplessness, attempts to regain a feeling of power and control over his or her life by using increasing amounts of alcohol. Rehab programs increasingly are adopting new approaches in an effort to obtain improved results.

Alcohol Rehab: Traditional Approaches:

The first step in traditional Alcohol Rehab is detoxification. It can take 3 to 7 days to complete the process. Most chronic drinkers will experience some level of withdrawal when they are suddenly deprived of alcohol. Most physical effects can be treated at outpatient services; however the more severe physical withdrawal symptoms as well as the addicts extreme desire to obtain alcohol may require close monitoring in a controlled environment. In the most severe cases, prescription tranquilizers or other medicines may be required to combat withdrawal. After seven days, the addiction to alcohol is primarily psychological. There are no universally effective medications to keep a person from drinking. Alcohol Rehab cannot offer a pill that will stop a person from drinking. There are some medications, the best known of these, Antiabuse, which makes the addict sick when he or she drinks.

Traditional Alcohol Rehab includes a combination of intensive individual and group therapy, family therapy and spiritual counseling. To lessen the chance of relapse, ongoing therapy and support is also recommended for an extended period once the initial Alcohol Rehab is complete

Alcohol Rehab: New Approaches:

Alcohol Rehab programs are increasingly incorporating previously unrecognized holistic approaches to combat the addicts feelings of helplessness. Holistic Alcohol Rehab addresses the physical, the emotional, the mental and the spiritual in an attempt to bring all four components within the addict into “balance.” Some methods commonly used in holistic Alcohol Rehab include acupuncture, acupressure, blood chemistry analysis, physical fitness training, herbal remedies, meditation and massage. These are in addition to more traditional spiritual counseling and individual and group therapy.

Alcohol Rehab: A Family Affair: Many studies have concluded that Alcohol Rehab is more successful if the addicts family, primarily the spouse or partner, is supportive. It has been well documented that family relationships play a vital role in the development and continuation of addiction. A spouse or partner may even be an addict also. Most Alcohol Rehab programs now incorporate couples and family therapy as an integral part of the addicts overall program. Groups such as Alanon can provide ongoing support for families once the addicts Alcohol Rehab is complete. A recovering family has the best chance of success.

@Copywrite by Stephen Huston. Mr Huston is a freelance writer on various topics. You can find more articles and resources on alcohol, and drug treatment at: http://www.bestadviceabout.com/alcohol_treatment

You are what you eat, goes the old saying. You are also what you drink and what you breathe. In the battle against aging skin, it’s vitally important to pay attention to what goes into your body. Toxins, dehydration and pollutants are all factors that play a part in making your skin look older.

In addition to modifying your habits, using a good anti-aging, anti-wrinkle product can help.

Free radicals contribute to the signs of aging on the skin. These are tiny unstable molecules that arise naturally and that kill healthy cells. They cause wrinkles and lack of elasticity in the skin. The production of these small but nasty molecules is accelerated by environmental factors such as pollution, chemicals, and exposure to cigarette smoke.

The best way to battle the effects of free radicals is to eat a diet rich in antioxidants. These are found in a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. Anti-oxidants are also key ingredients in anti-aging products. Look for a skin care product that boasts an unusually high percentage of antioxidants.

Good nutrition is tremendously important in the quest for younger-looking skin. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables and low in chemical additives leads to greater overall health, which is reflected in the skin. If your diet is inadequate, the addition of supplements and vitamins will help to keep your skin healthy, making it appear younger.

Avoiding pollutants such as cigarette smoke is vitally important to skin. Toxins in smoke and pollution age the skin, producing fine lines and a blotchy complexion.

For years, healthcare professionals have been encouraging us all to drink enough water. Eight 8-ounce glasses, or three to four pints, is considered an adequate amount for the average adult. It is especially important to replace fluids if you are drinking caffeinated or alcoholic beverages, both of which are dehydrating.

How does your water intake affect your skin? First, it cleanses. Water removes toxins from our bodies. Next, it hydrates. Moisturized skin has fewer fine lines and is firmer. Your cells are made mostly of water, and need it to stay plump and healthy.

Using a high-quality moisturizer is another necessary step in keeping your skin hydrated. Skin that is exposed to sun and other elements is depleted and dehydrated. A good cream locks in moisture, aiding in the disappearance of fine lines and sagging.

So when you eat right and take steps to feed your skin the right nutrients you can slow the effects of aging both inside and out.

Make sure your skin cream has a high concentration of anti-aging anti-oxidants.

Many people think wrinkle removing cream is a scam. They believe that the only people who have wrinkle-free skin are the ones whom are rich and can afford to have expensive cosmetic procedures. They don’t believe that removing wrinkles with a cream is even remotely possible. Well, I’m here to tell you that all those people are wrong!

To be honest, they aren’t completely wrong, as there are in fact many companies out there that’ll do everything they can to scam wrinkle sufferers out of there money. However, that does not mean that they are all bad. In fact, a large majority of them actually care about people (to some degree anyway) and want to help with wrinkle removal.

How do you sort out the good companies from the bad ones? That’s the tough part, as you can’t simply assume the worst of every company you deal with. Having said that, it’s actually better NOT to judge a wrinkle cream company — instead, see how other people judge their products.

Hearing & reading what other people have to say about a particular anti-wrinkle cream is your best line of defense against buying poor products. After all, if 300 people claim that the wrinkle cream doesn’t work, wouldn’t that have an impact on your decision? Of course it would! This is precisely why reading wrinkle cream reviews & ratings is so important — It’ll give you a clear picture of what you’re dealing with and whether or not you should proceed with a purchase.

Will anti wrinkle cream reviews always help? Probably not, as what works for some might not necessarily work for you. However, 9 out of 10 times they will help you make a more informed decision when it comes to buying a wrinkle removing cream. Beyond that though, well, you’ll just have to learn a bit more about anti-wrinkle cream.

For More Specific Information About Wrinkle Removing Cream and Other Wrinkle Correction Techniques, Try Visiting http://www.WrinkleRemoverCreams.com, One Of The Most Popular & Informative Wrinkle Cream Websites On The Web.