Is Weight Management Really Necessary?
by Martin A. Davidmartin.david@medicalhealthcarecareerschools.com
Health Columnist
According to recent studies by the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, obesity is the real enemy. Weight loss is important, the study pointed out, but moderately overweight people are not at greater risk for early death than people whose weight is much lower.
Of course, the director of the center, Dr. Julie Gerberding, was quick to point out that the new information doesn't mean you can throw your weight loss program out the window. According to Dr. Gerberding, obesity and extreme overweight are still critically important health threats in America.
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What's Wrong With Being Fat? While the new study shows that the premature death risks are not as great as previously believed, obesity still has many adverse consequences and a healthy diet is still important. In fact, the center is still promoting diet and exercise as the path to natural weight loss.
Obesity, they point out, can raise the danger of hypertension, diabetes, kidney failure, some cancers, arthritis, and sleep disturbances. An exercise program and a weight loss plan can reduce the risk of most of these conditions.
When Reports Disagree The study merely points out that thin people die at the same rate as moderately overweight people. Of course, very few death certificates list "obesity" as the cause of death. That makes it difficult to have accurate statistical data. Still the new study seems to point in the opposite direction from other recent reports.
As the manager of the obesity and diabetes prevention project in Contra Costa County, California, said in a recent newspaper interview, "There will continue to be studies that will contradict each other, but what has remained true will likely continue to be true."
About the Author Martin A. David consults as a Senior Technical Writer for a number of Silicon Valley firms. He is also a translator, specializing in Danish, French and Spanish literary works. He has written numerous feature articles for publications including the Los Angeles Times. He has also published a novel, and a non-fiction book in the area of dance. Martin earned his B.A. in Liberal Arts from Brooklyn College in his native New York. He currently chairs the Santa Clara Cultural Advisory Commission in Santa Clara, California.
