Published at August 23, 2024
Importance of Maintaining a Healthy Weight
Having an ideal weight is important for an individual, not only for their appearance but also for having optimum health. But it’s not always easy to maintain the perfect weight without actively working on one’s weight goals. Weight management is crucial because it helps reduce the risk of chronic conditions, such as heart diseases, certain cancers, diabetes, osteoporosis, and other nutrition-related disorders. Moreover, it’s essential as it plays an important role in improving energy levels, mood, and self-image.
We live in the era of Body Positivity. It means loving one’s body regardless of shape, size, ability, and/or color. It may sound counterintuitive as body positivity asserts that we must hold all body types in a positive light and not only those that conform to societal ideals of beauty. This may also include overweight, underweight, or bodies that might affect an individual’s physical abilities.
Maintaining a healthy weight isn't just about fitting into your favorite clothes—it's also crucial for your mental well-being. Whether you're overweight or underweight, both can contribute to a range of mental health issues including depression, poor self-esteem, lack of confidence, eating disorders, and even personality disorders. Beyond the inconvenience of frequently updating your wardrobe, keeping a balanced weight is an essential step in safeguarding your mental health. Isn't preserving your peace of mind a compelling reason to strive for a healthier you?
All these considerations lead to an important question: how do you determine a healthy body weight? There are several reliable methods to assess this, with Body Mass Index (BMI) and fat-to-muscle ratio being the most preferred. These metrics provide valuable insights into your overall health and help you maintain a balanced and healthy lifestyle. BMI is based on age, gender height, and weight, while body fat percentage additionally requires one’s neck and hip size. You may feel like laughing at the idea that random numbers could determine your life choices, but doesn’t laughter burn calories too?
Fun With Figures
Globally and within the United States, obesity rates are rising at an alarming pace. Almost 41% of American adults and nearly 20% of children fall under the obese category. A study predicts that in just 12 years, over 50% of the world’s population will be overweight or obese without proper guidance, prevention, and support. On the other end of the spectrum, approximately 9% of the U.S. population is grappling with underweight issues. These are serious challenges we are facing, and a host of reasons are to be considered for trying to bring the world’s waistlines into check.
A Deeper Exploration into the Root Causes
Many of us think that weight fluctuations are simply the result of overeating or undereating, but the reality is far more complex. Sudden weight changes can often signal underlying health issues. Conditions such as thyroid problems, hormonal imbalances, sleep disorders, heart conditions, gastrointestinal issues, depression, cancer, and diabetes can all contribute to unexpected weight gain or loss. It's crucial to consider these factors when assessing weight changes and overall health.
Apart from the above causes, an unbalanced lifestyle can also contribute to difficulties in weight management. A sedentary routine, for instance, could create fat accumulation around the hips. Not eating a nutritious diet could make one underweight. An individual’s genetic disposition also works in determining their weight.
A wise person once said, “Knowledge is power.” This certainly stands true in the case of weight management; the deeper a person’s understanding of their own case, the better decisions they will make. And the best way of gaining this understanding is by consulting the best healthcare professionals.
Some Further Complications, and a Likely Solution
We have already established that weight problems are not the main ailment, but are symptoms, or results of other hidden disorders. Also, a person’s ideal weight depends on age, gender, height, lifestyle changes, etc. This makes weight management a long-term, in fact, a lifelong matter.
We live in an age of instant gratification, and everyone desires a quick fix for their problems. While it may not be entirely possible to have an instant solution to weight regulation, it is certainly possible to have various specialists on your screen.
Who has the time or resources to pay regular visits to clinics?
Rather we rely on unauthentic sources such as random diet plans, online videos and blogs, advice from family or friends. However, these sources aren't medical professionals, and their information is often generalized, not tailored to individual needs. Online weight consultation, on the other hand, offers a personalized and convenient solution worth considering. Read on to discover why.
Why is it Called Weight “Management” and not “Treatment”, and What to Do?
Being obese or skinny is not a disease, so there isn’t a one-size-fits-all kind of treatment plan available. Instead, the physician needs to be aware of the client’s detailed medical history, routine, etc. Using all this info, the consultant suggests a comprehensive plan of action. This would include medications, diet charts, exercise routines, and so on. If need be, they might refer the client to a psychiatrist, another specialist, or a dietician.
Imagine this: you're already feeling unwell and lacking energy. On top of that, you have a demanding work schedule and a family that requires your constant attention. To make matters worse, your insurance doesn't cover weight management because it's not classified as an illness. Wouldn't you love a one-click solution to address all these challenges? Well, good news! Telehealth services allow you to manage your weight from the comfort of your home. No need to get dressed, miss out on Netflix and Chill, hire a babysitter, endure traffic, or miss work! With the need for constant monitoring, you can use these services as often as necessary, making it a convenient and effective solution for your weight management needs.
The Final Nugget of Wisdom
All of us struggle to have that perfect healthy body, and having age and gender-appropriate weight goals is an essential part of the rigmarole. But wait, lose those extra pounds, not your marbles! “How?” you ask. Let your gadgets do the work. Calm down, sit in a comfortable place, in a relaxed position, take in a deep breath or two, and call your Ailment Wizard. Get your personalized diagnosis, prescription, and diet plan, all in the blink of an eye. Add telemedicine to your health hack toolkit and experience the wizardry take flight! Take care and be healthy!
