Ose Martinez | January 20, 2013 |
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Exercising daily and eating well balanced meals is ideal for people who want to keep a healthy lifestyle. Unfortunately, that is not the case today in America. Obesity has had a dramatic increase over the past 20 years; adults “(35.7%) and approximately 17% (or 12.5 million) of children and adolescents aged 2—19 years” in the past 20 years (CDC, 2012). Weight loss is a difficult journey and you sometimes hear stories of people reaching their ideal goals. Weight loss takes time and effort but what if that is not the case? One key understanding to reach your goals may be learning about body composition. Why is it so important? To help you understand your body is made up of fat mass or fat-free mass. “Fat-free mass includes lean muscle, bones, organs, tissue and water. When people refer to body composition, they are generally talking about body fat percent, or the percentage of your body mass that is fat” (Frey, 2012). There are several risks from having too much body fat. Normally, ones self- image is enough to make you think twice about eating that pizza, but we also need to be aware of what’s going on inside our bodies. “There are currently 18 million people living with type 2 diabetes, according to the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologist” (Campbell, 2011). There are also risks of cancer and stroke when having too much body fat. “Approximately 137,000 people die of a stroke every year. Being overweight can lead to higher cholesterol levels, high blood pressure and diabetes” (Campbell, 2011). These diseases can be maintained and even prevented by regular exercise and good nutrition. Obesity has become such a problem in youth today that other diseases have arisen because of the fear of being different is so high. Anorexia, Bulimia and Binge eating are taking over teen and adult lives. “There are two types of anorexia nervosa: Restricting type -- The person restricts their food intake on their own and does not engage in binge-eating or purging behavior. Binge eating/purging type -- The person self-induces vomiting or misuses laxatives, diuretics, or enemas” (John M. Grohol, 2012). Although, the persons goal is to achieve their goal weight, but going to extremes can hurt your body mentally and physically. “Feelings of inadequacy, reduced capacity for work and relational problems are common. Anorexia may cause constipation, increased sensitivity to infections, stomach ache, very low pulse, anaemia, kidney damage, cardiovascular disorders and shortage of skeletal calcium” (Palme, 2008). These health problems are all associated with malnutrition, your body needs the nutrition it gets from food in order to survive. Bulimia is also another disease that causes great harm to your body. “Self-induced vomiting may cause dental damage, shortage of minerals and enlarged salivary glands. Use of laxatives may harm the stomach 's normal functions. Stomach ulcers and dangerous heart rhythm problems are rarer side effects” (Palme, 2008). Knowledge is only gained from reading and understanding the facts about your body. One could prevent extreme measure to lose weight with a simple guide on how your body works. A physician or a nutritionist can help with providing the tools needed to begin the path to weight loss. Patience will come a long way when striving towards your goals.
References
CDC. (2012, April 27). Retrieved from Centers for disease control and prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/facts.html
Campbell, N. (2011, 14 April). weight management. Retrieved from Livingstrong.com: http://www.livestrong.com/article/514564-health-risks-associated-with-elevated-bmi-or-excessive-body-fat/
Frey, M. (2012, December 5). Weightloss. Retrieved from About.com: http://weightloss.about.com/od/exercis1/a/What-Is-Body-Composition.htm
John M. Grohol, P. (2012, January 15). Disorders. Retrieved from Psychcentral.com: http://psychcentral.com/disorders/sx2.htm
Palme, G. (2008, August 8). Web4health. Retrieved from web4health: http://web4health.info/gr/ed-other-negative-effects.htm
References: CDC. (2012, April 27). Retrieved from Centers for disease control and prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/facts.html Campbell, N. (2011, 14 April). weight management. Retrieved from Livingstrong.com: http://www.livestrong.com/article/514564-health-risks-associated-with-elevated-bmi-or-excessive-body-fat/ Frey, M. (2012, December 5). Weightloss. Retrieved from About.com: http://weightloss.about.com/od/exercis1/a/What-Is-Body-Composition.htm John M. Grohol, P. (2012, January 15). Disorders. Retrieved from Psychcentral.com: http://psychcentral.com/disorders/sx2.htm Palme, G. (2008, August 8). Web4health. Retrieved from web4health: http://web4health.info/gr/ed-other-negative-effects.htm
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