Article # 422. 5 Benefits of Maintaining a Healthy Body Weight

5 Benefits of Maintaining a Healthy Body Weight

The benefits of maintaining a healthy body weight are numerous, not only to the quality of life, but also the quantity of life. Physically and emotionally, an unhealthy body weight is a burden, but it is something which can be avoided or lowered.

Aside from diabetes, the emotional toll obesity can cause to the person, as well as their family, is well documented; however, the benefits are equally numerous. Here are 5 benefits of maintaining a healthy body weight.

Benefit #1: Discomfort Relief

When someone has to carry around extra weight, the likelihood of being active drops. Losing even 5 to 10% of your body weight will aid in lessening various aches and pains associated with not being active. The extra weight causes more strain on the joints, bones and muscles, causing them to work harder than normal just to move around. Less weight on these portions of the body will allow them to work more efficiently and reduce damage.

Benefit #2: Healthier Heart

The higher your weight is, the harder your heart has to work, even when you are at rest. Even a small amount of weight loss can increase the amount of blood going to vital organs, while allowing the heart to work more efficiently. Maintaining a healthy body weight places less strain on the heart and reduces the risk of heart attack, high blood pressure and angina.

Benefit #3: Lower Risk of Diabetes

It is well documented that people who are overweight are at a greater risk to develop Type II Diabetes. If you have been diagnosed with Type II Diabetes, losing weight may allow you to better control the Diabetes. If don't have this form of Diabetes, being proactive and working toward a healthy body weight will lower your risks of developing Diabetes in the future. In some cases, after losing weight, along with the other benefits of maintaining a healthy body weight, the Diabetes may be controllable through diet as decided upon by your doctor.

Benefit #4: Cancer Avoidance

Losing weight won't prevent you from developing cancer, but it can greatly reduce the possibility of developing certain forms of cancer. Women who are overweight are more likely to develop uterine, gallbladder, ovary, breast, colon and cervical cancer. Men can also benefit by lowering the likelihood of developing prostate, colon and rectal cancer.

Benefit #5: Prevent Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is an affliction of the joints in the body and the extra pressure that is placed on them because of excess body weight can lead to this condition. By maintaining a healthy body weight, this crippling disorder can be easily prevented before it even starts. Along with a healthy diet and exercise, the joints of the body will carry less weight and suffer less damage over time.

These are only a few of the many benefits of maintaining a healthy body weight. The physical ramifications are evident in having more energy, having a healthier heart, lowering the risk of Type II diabetes, and helping to avoid both osteoarthritis and many forms of cancer. Eating a healthy diet and performing light exercise, along with advice from your personal physician, is a great way to begin to see the benefits of maintaining a healthy body weight.