Obesity is not simply the accumulation of excess body fat. Obesity is a chronic (long-term) disease with serious complications that is very difficult to treat. As such, it requires long-term treatment to lose weight and keep it off. There is no overnight solution. Effective, permanent weight loss takes some time. The essential factors in losing weight and keeping it off are motivation, proper eating, exercise habits, and an appreciation of better health. Losing weight will help you feel better. It also will improve your health. Obesity is the second leading cause of preventable deaths in the United States (tobacco is the first). People who are obese have much higher risks of many serious health problems than nonobese people. The most devastating of these health problems include the following:
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Stroke
- Osteoarthritis
- Gallstones
- Lung disease and sleep apnea
- Colon cancer
- Endometrial cancer
- Depression