Does Losing Weight Make A Difference?

If you are overweight, losing even 5 to 10 percent of your body weight can produce health benefits, reports the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Losing weight reduces your risk of developing obesity-related chronic diseases, including heart disease and diabetes. Improving your eating and exercise habits can help you reach a healthier weight.

Heart Disease Risk

Your risk of having a heart attack or stroke, and of developing heart disease increases as your body mass index --- the measure of your weight as it relates to your height --- increases. Being overweight or obese may also lead to heart failure, meaning your heart cannot pump enough blood to meet your body's needs. Losing weight contributes to a healthier cardiovascular system by lowering blood pressure and improving cholesterol levels. Improved cholesterol levels reduce your risk of blockages in your arteries, especially the arteries that supply blood to your brain and heart.

Diabetes Risk

The Harvard School of Public Health reports that excess weight is one of the main causes of type 2 diabetes, saying that if you are overweight, losing just 7 to 10 percent of your weight can reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 50 percent. Including physical activity as part of your weight-control strategy can further reduce your risk for developing type 2 diabetes.

Body-mass Index

The body-mass index is a commonly used screening tool to determine weight-related health risks. It is a measure of your weight as it relates to your height, and as your BMI increases beyond 25, your risk for developing heart disease, diabetes and cancer increases. A BMI above 30 increases your risks even further. You can determine your BMI by dividing your weight in pounds by your height in inches. Divide this result by your height in inches. Multiply this result by 703 for your BMI. You should aim to reach a weight that equates to a BMI of less than 25.

Considerations

To lose weight, you must burn more calories than you consume. Eating fewer calories than your body requires each day and burning more calories through regular exercise are proven ways to help you reach and maintain your goal weight. Losing weight gradually, at a rate of about 1 to 2 lbs. per week, increases your chances of weight-control success. Losing weight not only decreases your risk of developing heart disease and diabetes but also lowers your risk of developing some types of cancer, gall bladder disease and osteoarthritis.