Losing weight is something that many of us want to do during our lifetime. You may have been told by your GP or healthcare professional that you are overweight, and this may impact your health. Being overweight may put you at risk of conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Carrying a large amount of excess weight and body fat known as obesity, which is a growing problem, and affects around a quarter of adults.
Body Mass Index (BMI)
If you’re unsure if your weight is a problem, and if you are considered “obese”, excess body weight is usually measured by dividing your weight in kilograms by your height in meters squared. This number is called your body mass index (BMI), which gives you an indication if your weight is considered unhealthy. You can check to see if you are carrying excess weight using the NHS BMI calculator.
What Causes Obesity?
In some individuals, excess weight may be due to underlying health conditions, such as an underactive thyroid. However, eating too many calories, and not getting enough exercise is usually the cause. Modern day lifestyles of sitting at desks, driving cars instead of walking, and eating high calorie processed foods contribute to this problem.
How to Lose Weight
In order to lose weight, you need to consume less calories than your body requires. Following a healthy diet will help you do this. Being more active through exercise can also contribute to burning more calories and help with weight loss.
If you are following a healthy diet and regularly exercising but still struggling to lose weight, there are various prescription weight loss medications that can help you with your efforts.
