Losing and maintaining weight will help treat and even prevent the conditions associated with increased weight. Weight loss is one of the most effective ways to lower blood pressure.

Losing weight also improves joint pains.

Genes do play a role: About 30 to 50 percent of weight is related to genetics; the rest is environment. Then, there are individual factors, such as diet and physical activity habits, that are separate from the environment.

Weight and Diabetes: When compared to someone with a normal BMI, people who are overweight are three times more likely to have diabetes, and people who are obese are seven times more likely to have diabetes.

Physical Activity: While changes in both diet and activity factors are related to the increasing prevalence of obesity, there is more evidence that the major factor responsible is a decrease in daily physical activity, separate from exercise. One study reported that Americans burned 130 calories per day less at work in 2010 than they did in 1960.

Sleep and Weight: The energy balance equation states that the calories we eat minus the calories that we burn will determine our weight. There are things you can do that influence the equation. For example, if you get too little or too much sleep, you tend to burn fewer calories and weigh more.

For more information,  please discuss your weight issues with Dr.Paul Kattupalli MD.