On this page are facts, figures and articles which back up what we are talking about.

Why 91% Of People Starting A Diet Fail

The generally accepted meaning of a ‘diet’ is an eating regime which restricts the number of calories you consume. Research has proven that in most cases this a totally ineffective way of reducing weight, and usually ends with the subject actually putting on more weight than they ever lose.

Medicare’s Search for Effective Obesity Treatments Diets Are Not The Answer The prevalence of obesity and its associated health problems have increased sharply in the past 2 decades. New revisions to Medicare policy will allow funding for obesity treatments of proven efficacy. The authors review studies of the long-term outcomes of calorie-restricting diets to asses whether dieting is an effective treatment for obesity. These studies show that one third to two thirds of dieters regain more weight than they lost on their diets, and these studies likely underestimate the extent to which dieting is counterproductive because of several methodological problems, all of which bias the studies toward showing successful weight loss maintenance. In addition, the studies do not provide consistent evidence that dieting results in significant health improvements, regardless of weight change. In sum, there is little support for the notion that diets lead to lasting weight loss or health benefits. (American Psychologist, April 2007, Vol. 62, No. 3)

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Overweight Statistics

By Vincent W

Look around us. There are many overweight and obese people all around. Here is some overweight statistics:

• 64 percent of people are overweight in the US
• 48 percent of people in Europe are overweight
• 27 percent of Americans are classified as obese
• Obesity is responsible for 325,000 deaths every year
• Obesity cost an estimated $ 75 billion in 2003 because of its long and expensive treatment
• 750 million worldwide are overweight, out of which 300 million are obese
• Weight loss market forecast to hit $61 billion by 2008

Just looking at the above overweight statistics drives home the point that overweight and obesity are serious problems.

Obesity is arguably the most common medical problem in the world today, particularly the advanced countries. There is a very strong medical consensus that overweight is bad for our health. In fact, the more overweight we are, the more serious its effects on health are likely to be.

There is a list of diseases associated with obesity, namely thyroid problem, Type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, high blood pressure and various forms of cancer.

While there is consensus among the medical fraternity acknowledging the overweight statistics and recognizing the dangers of overweight and obesity, there is a difference in opinion on just what obesity is. Opinions vary on whether it is more accurate to view obesity as a disease or as a condition with multiple causes that are associated with an array of other diseases. Some authorities are flatly announcing obesity as a chronic disease.

How is overweight quantified? In overweight statistics parlance, there is a unit of measurement called Body Mass Index, or BMI in short. BMI is derived from dividing the weight of a person (in kilograms) by the square of the height (in meters). For a male, a BMI of less than 20 is termed underweight, a BMI from 20 to 24.9 as normal, 25 to 29.9 as overweight and over 30 as obese. The corresponding figures for a female are under 19, 19 to 24.9, 25 to 29.9 and more than 30.

The overweight statistics relating to medical problems are of real concern. Many people recognize the danger sign posts and make concerted efforts to reduce their weights, be it dieting, exercise and so forth. There is also another category of people who undertake weight loss regimes for personal or social reasons. Look at the number of advertisements for slimming clubs, fitness centres to know there is a big market for this segment. For example, they may want to lose weight because:

• They want to look better, hate how they look in the mirror, get rid of double chins, get rid of that ‘spare tyre’ around their middle
• They may have just come out of a divorce/separation/break-up or they may lack sex drive
• For seasonal reasons, to lose weight before summer arrives so that they can wear their bikinis on the beach, or in time for their weddings
• For pregnant women, losing weight before and after child birth.

Whatever the reason, be it medical as revealed in overweight statistics or just for social or emotional reasons, it is actually very important to maintain our weight to an ideal BMI of between 20 to 24.9

It is important to know exactly where you stand in terms of your body weight, and to know what to do. Your life or happiness may depend on it.

To read more on this topic, please visit this link: Now Lose Fat

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Vincent_W
http://EzineArticles.com/?Overweight-Statistics&id=2052127

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The following is an extract from:

‘Statistics on Obesity, Physical Activity and Diet: England, January 2008’.

Obesity

• In 2006, 24% of adults (aged 16 or over) in England were classified as obese. This

represents an overall increase from 15% in 1993.

• Men and women were equally likely to be obese, however women were more likely than men to be morbidly obese (3% compared to 1%).
• Thirty seven per cent of adults had a raised waist circumference in 2006 compared to 23% in 1993. Women were more likely then men to have a raised waist circumference (41% and 32% respectively).
• Using both BMI and waist circumference to assess risk of health problems, of men 20% were estimated to be at increased risk, 13% at high risk and 21% at very high risk.

Equivalent figures for women were 14% at increased risk, 16% at high risk and 23% at very high risk.

• In 2006, 16% of children aged 2 to 15 were classed as obese. This represents an overall increase from 11% in 1995. Despite the overall increase since 1995, the proportion of girls aged 2 to 15 who were obese decreased between 2005 and 2006, from 18% to 15%. There was no significant decrease among boys aged 2 to 15 over that period. Among children aged 2 to 10, 15% were classed as obese in 2006.
• Boys were more likely than girls to be obese (17% compared to 15%).
• Of children aged 8 to 15 who were classed as obese, two thirds (66%) of girls and 60% of boys thought that they were too heavy.

Copyright © 2008. The Information Centre, Lifestyles Statistics. All rights reserved

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