I’ll admit it…I could try a lot harder to stay on a healthy eating plan all year, let alone during the holidays. Luckily, the New Year brings the promise of new resolutions designed to rein me back in from my culinary over-indulgences. It’s chocolate that I cannot say no to, even if my stomach feels about to burst. Full disclosure: as I’m writing this blog, fudge brownies are baking in my oven, the heavenly smell wafting around me like an aromatic hug.
Despite (or because of) my sweet, chocolatey tooth, I’d like to lose a few pounds. Nothing feels better than having ample room inside my jeans! But when do our extra pounds truly become a health concern?
Obesity is a complex disorder involving an excessive amount of body fat. A person is considered to be obese if they are more than 20% over their ideal weight, or more precisely defined by the National Institutes of Health as a BMI (Body Mass Index) of 30 and above. A BMI of 30 is about 30 pounds overweight.
Obesity, one of the most pressing health problems in the United States, has doubled among adults and more than tripled among children since the 1980s. It can reduce life expectancy by an average of 3 to10 years, depending on how severe it is.
Obesity can cause a number of problems, including difficulties with daily activities.
Day-to-day problems related to obesity include:
- breathlessness
- increased sweating
- snoring
- difficulty doing physical activity
- low energy
- joint and back pain
- low confidence and self-esteem
- feeling isolated
Being obese can also increase your risk of developing potentially serious health conditions, including:
- type 2 diabetes – a condition that causes a person’s blood sugar level to become too high
- high blood pressure
- atherosclerosis — fatty deposits narrow arteries which can lead to coronary heart disease and stroke
- asthma
- metabolic syndrome – a combination of diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol
- several types of cancer, including bowel and breast cancer
- gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD)– stomach acid leaks out of the stomach and into the esophagus
- gallstones – small stones, usually made of cholesterol, that form in the gallbladder
- reduced fertility
- osteoarthritis – a condition involving pain and stiffness in the joints
- sleep apnea– a condition that causes interrupted breathing during sleep, which can lead to daytime sleepiness with an increased risk of traffic accidents, as well as a greater risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease
- liver and kidney disease
- pregnancy complications such as gestational diabetes
Bio-Touch has been shown to ease health complications of obesity. While not a substitute for standard medical care, Bio-Touch is an effective complement to mainstream medical protocols. And there are no negative side effects to worry about. Everyone, even children, can learn Bio-Touch!
The Bio-Touch organization is offering a workshop on overweight and obesity at the Center in Tucson on Thursday January 24th from 6-8PM. Workshop attendees will learn the Bio-Touch points necessary to address the health concerns of obesity.
So come and bring your family and friends to the Center at 5634 E. Pima St. in Tucson. It’s so rewarding to share Bio-Touch, and you’ll feel great learning how to help others feel better! For more information or to learn about online classes, go to justtouch.com.
