While scientific evidence suggests that many of us are genetically predisposed to be overweight, it doesn't take a study to see that our modern lifestyle isn't helping either. We eat more, we watch more TV, we sit at desks all day, and we exercise less. It doesn't help that with our "culture of convenience," the very foods we buy and prepare to help us save time are larger in portion size and more calorie-dense than ever.

In the United States, obesity can truly be called an epidemic:

• Obesity is the #2 cause of preventable deaths, after smoking
• The prevalence of obesity has increased 60% in the last decade
• Over 400,000 deaths a year are attributed to obesity
• 64% of adults are overweight or obese
• According to 1999-2000 data, 15% of children and teens ages 6 to 19 are overweight (triple the proportion in 1980)
• Over 10 million adults in the U.S. are morbidly obese

You may be surprised to hear that obesity can actually be more damaging to your health than smoking or alcohol abuse. Obesity is also a major risk factor for serious medical conditions like type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, stroke, sleep apnea, respiratory problems, osteoarthritis - even cancer. Learn more about Obesity and Health Consequences.

The costs of obesity affect our economy, too: It's estimated that annual treatment costs exceed $238 billion, with about $100 billion of that is devoted to treating related health problems. In addition, Americans spend about $33 billion a year on weight-loss products and services.

You know the drill: in order to lose weight, you must first start by changing your lifestyle. That means eating less, changing what you eat, and exercising more. These tried-and-true methods are the safest and easiest ways to go about losing weight. Where do you begin? Try visiting our diet and exercise pages for some pointers. For more support, visit our Ask A Doctor section, where you can get answers to your questions and concerns from a certified Weight-Loss Physician.

The most aggressive - and often most successful - weight-loss treatment for morbid obesity is surgery. Surgical weight reduction is not cosmetic surgery, nor is it an alternative to diet and exercise. Rather, it's the next step for those who have not been able to maintain weight loss with non-surgical methods.

The surgical treatment of obesity is effective and leads to a long-term weight loss of 60-85% of excess weight. Just as importantly, most weight-related medical problems, like high blood pressure and diabetes, are improved or resolved with the weight that is lost. Learn more about the medical benefits of weight-loss surgery. Furthermore, surgical treatments are endorsed by the National Institute of Health and numerous other medical organizations as an effective treatment for morbid obesity. Just like any other method of weight loss, surgery requires self discipline and a strong desire to succeed!

Obesity & Health Consequences - Healthy Living >>