Being overweight can affect the way that people feel about themselves and how they interact with others. Often, concerns about appearance overshadow the real health risks associated with being overweight.
Over half of this country's adult population is overweight. In addition to the emotional and social consequences, people who are overweight are at risk for many conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, arthritis, and certain types of cancer. In fact, "over-nutrition" contributes to approximately 300,000 deaths per year in the United States and is second only to smoking as a preventable cause of death.
The good news is that even with moderate weight loss, as little as 10 or 15 percent of body weight, can reduce health risks, prolong life and enhance self-esteem.