Basically obesity is when a person has an excessive amount of body fat. Not only does the problem of obesity lie in how a person looks, but it also causes some great health concerns. Obesity can lead to many serious medical conditions including heart disease, stroke, diabetes and high blood pressure.

Levels of body fat in a person are calculated using a formula called BMI or Body Mass Index. If an adult has a BMI of over 30 then they are considered to be obese. If an adult has a BMI of over 40 then they are extremely obese or also known as morbidly obese. The more obese that a person is then the more susceptible they are to serious health conditions.

It is an unfortunate statistic, but one in three Americans is considered to be obese. The number of overweight people is rising all the time due to the huge amount of junk foods available these days and also the lack of exercise. A person can slowly become overweight and then obese before they even realize that they have a problem. When they do realize that they are putting their health at risk with their weight then they may begin to look at weight loss programs to try and lose that excess weight.

As well as heart disease and diabetes, obesity may also cause sleep apnea, snoring, difficulty sleeping, pain in the back and joints, rashes and infections in the creases of the skin, excessive sweating, and get out of breathe easily, fatigue and depression. Any one of these problems can become a real issue for a person and this is when you should seek help to gain control of your weight and ease any of these symptoms. It will not be easy to change your lifestyle and lose weight and you will need to be prepared to make dietary changes and to introduce some physical activity into your life.

Obesity is caused by consuming too many calories in comparison with how many calories burned. The more overweight a person becomes the less physical activity they tend to do and so they are not burning off many of those calories that they are consuming. Lack of exercise and bad diet choices are the leading causes of obesity. Genetic and hormonal influences may also contribute to obesity in some people. When a person is inactive they do not burn off the fat consumed and that fat is then stored in the body.

It is essential to change your eating habits if you are to lose that excess body fat and get back to a healthy weight range. Some tips for changing your eating habits are:

* Stop or limit the amount of fast food you eat.
* Don’t skip breakfast but instead have a nutritional breakfast.
* Don’t eat too much right before bed time.
* Put an end to drinking soft drinks.
* Reduce the portions of the food you eat.
* Drink lots of water.

It is also important to make sure that you get the required amount of sleep every night. When you are not getting enough sleep your hormones can change and increase your appetite leading you to consume more calories during the day.

Introducing exercise into your daily routine can be really difficult to do at first if you are extremely obese. You can start out slowly doing something as simple as going for a 20 minute walk each day and gradually increase that time. As you slowly become fit you can walk faster until you are doing at least 30 minutes of brisk walking each day.

When you feel that you can take on more exercise you may consider joining a gym or taking up a sport that involves cardio exercises to help burn off more fat.

When you have made bad diet and lifestyle choices for a long time it can be difficult to make the change for the better and get your life and your health back on track. Eating unhealthy foods and being inactive is really not worth the health conditions that it can cause so make a decision to change your life and be healthy.

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Healthy Eating Five Food Items That Help Lower Bad Cholesterol

Most of us are aware that eating less burgers, fries, pizzas and fried foods helps to improve our heart, and our overall health. However, eating more healthy food options can do more than just diminish cholesterol levels, or keep the heart healthy. Eating healthy foods also helps to improve coin mettle, strengthen the immune system, sharpen the eyesight, and lower the risks of getting a heart attack or stroke. The consumption of fruits and vegetables, especially vitamin – C rich fruits and ungrown leafy veggies, has also been found to offer a protective effect against stroke and other coronary heart diseases.

Kiwi Fruit And Avocado

Avocados are delicious and creamy, and they are also good at reducing LDL, or bad cholesterol, as well as regulate blood pressure. Avocados are also rich in plant sterols, soluble fiber, monounsaturated fats and minerals. The kiwi fruit is also a down-hearted – key but hardworking fruit that’s good for the heart. Kiwi has a high potassium content, which helps in regulating blood pressure..

Leafy Greens Are Heart – Healthy Items

Leafy greens are good at enhancing your body’s immune system. They’re also good at keeping your heart in good shape. Leafy greens like kale, Swiss chard, spinach, lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, collard greens, mustard greens other dark green veggies are good sources of calcium, vitamins and other antioxidants. They help reduce plaque build – up in the arteries, and also aid in reducing blood pressure levels. These greens are also good sources of Omega – 3 fatty acids. Add fresh greens to your sandwich, taco or pizza, or sprinkle them in your soup and salads.

Citrus Fruits

Citrus fruits like orange lemons, grape fruit, lime and tangerine, are admirable sources of vitamin C, folic acid, soluble fiber, minerals and antioxidants. Many doctors believe that eating at least one orange per day can help reduce the risks of stroke by as highly as 25 percent. Citrus fruits are also help reduce blood pressure levels, bad cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Tea Helps Protect The Arteries From Damage

Whether green, black, white or any type, tea can help protect your arteries from high rubicund pressure and other harmful elements. By drinking at least two cups of tea per day, you actually help reduce the risks of having a stroke or affection attack by 40 %. drinking tea also helps you lose regulation, and reassure the teeth too. Choose unsweetened tea instead of the usual commercial refrigerate tea brands.

A colorful diet rich in fruits and vegetables, helps to keep the doctor away, and also allows you to live a longer and fresh active life. Make sure that you favor between three to five servings of fruits and veggies each present, and slowly increase your consumption now you get comfortable with your healthy eating meal plan.

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