According to Marketdata Enterprises, a market research firm, Americans spend more than $60 billion a year fighting weight gain. The huge weight loss industry includes everything from diet programs to gym memberships to exercise equipment. Lost in all this excess, however, are the disappointing and downright depressing statistics that people who want to lose weight must face.
The numbers
At a time when Americans are exercising and dieting more than ever, our waistlines are still expanding. One third of the US population is now officially obese, while two thirds are simply overweight. In the last three decades, adult obesity has doubled and childhood roundness has tripled. The negative effect our growing sizes have had on our collective health is staggering.
The cold hard facts
Obesity is now the leading preventable cause of death in the United States, surpassing smoking and drunk driving. It is primarily responsible for the rapid rise in chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. According to a recent study, the toll it takes on your body can shorten your life expectancy by up to eight years.
The solution
An oft-cited statistic tells us that 95 percent of dieters regain the weight they lost. Many overweight and obese people try dozens of diets before throwing in the proverbial towel. They waste their time and money hoping things will change, but they rarely do. The reason? Diets only work if you follow them 24/7/365. By the time you put them off, your waist will most likely return to its previous size. The only proven way to win the battle of the bulge once and for all is to have obesity surgery.
How does it work
One of the reasons obese people can eat more than average people is that they have much larger stomachs. Obesity or bariatric surgery addresses this problem by reducing the size of the organ, making it impossible for patients to comfortably consume large amounts of food. Whether the stomach is simply restricted by a gastric band or has a piece surgically removed, the patient will be physically unable to overeat at any given time.
How effective is it?
Almost everyone who has obesity surgery loses some weight in the first 18 to 24 months. After that time, many patients regain some of the pounds they lost, but few regain them completely. Surgery has also been shown to be remarkably effective in treating weight-related chronic conditions such as high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes.
Who needs it?
As we have mentioned, obesity is extremely harmful to a person’s health. Additionally, studies show that the risk of death from chronic weight-related problems returns to normal once a person’s waistline is reduced to a healthy size. But what exactly is a healthy waistline? There are several accepted parameters.
According to the latest research, people with a body mass index (BMI) between 35 and 39.99 who have weight-related conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure could greatly benefit from surgery. of obesity. The ideal candidate is also someone who has not been able to maintain a healthy size with diet and exercise. It is also important to note that patients must understand the risks associated with any surgical procedure.
Much more effective than non-surgical options, bariatric surgery offers a permanent solution to obesity.