The basic idea of this change is to burn more calories than consumed. This involves reducing caloric intake while maintaining a healthy balance and initiating a sustained program of exercise. Physicians and dieticians now take the viewpoint that obesity is a complex health problem. There is even evidence that it may be linked to genetic makeup, but this is still controversial. What are clear are the devastating effects on one s health if they are obese.
Obese people have an increased risk of heart attack and stroke and a higher incidence of diabetes.
Cholesterol and blood pressure are usually too high. They stand at a risk to develop osteoarthritis of the weight bearing joints. They also can suffer from depression and low self-esteem. Most doctors and nutritionists maintain that in order for weight to be lost safely no more than 1-2 pounds per week should be lost. To lose one pound a week requires cutting caloric intake by 500 calories a day.