According to CBS News, approximately 45 million Americans diet every year, spending between $1 billion to $2 billion dollars on weight-maintenance programs. Losing weight can offer many benefits, but it is important to do it for the right reasons. When done properly, dieting can help boost health, your physical appearance and athletic performance.
Obesity
Obesity is a medical condition that is defined as an excessive amount of body weight. The Mayo Clinic explains that it is more than just a cosmetic issue. Obesity also increases the chances of developing serious medical conditions and diseases, such as high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease. Because of these negative consequences, a doctor might encourage weight loss through diet and exercise. He also might suggest you visit with a nutritionist or therapist to help achieve weight loss.
Athletics
Many sports, such as swimming, dance and gymnastics, emphasize a low weight. Dieting is an option for athletes looking to maintain a healthy weight. The KidsHealth website says that it can help you reach peak performance without the aid of supplements or medications. Because athletes might require a higher amount of calories than people who are less active, talk to a doctor or dietitian to achieve a proper nutrition plan. Poor nutrition and lack of calories can cause the opposite of desired results. Instead of athletic improvement, it can promote muscle breakdown and growth problems.
Body Dissatisfaction
According to "USA Today," current culture places a strong emphasis on weight. Media is a powerful influence and can promote dissatisfaction with the body. This can lead to dieting and other forms of weight control, such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia. "Girls today, even very young ones, are being bombarded with the message that they need to be super-skinny to be sexy," explains psychologist Sharon Lamb. Thin bodies have become the idealized norm and are shown on television programs, catalogs, ads and magazines.
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