There are so many unhealthy habits that, unfortunately, we can acquire too easily. Drinking, smoking, and overeating can be extremely dangerous to your health. What is really more harmful to health, lighting a pack of cigarettes a day or packing a few extra kilos? New research by the National Cancer Institute in Maryland indicates that both can be equally dangerous to your health. Just as cigarettes can take years off your life, obesity can do the same.

For a long time, being overweight was considered more of a cosmetic or vanity problem than an actual health problem. This was until researchers began to discover that fat cells weren’t cells that did absolutely nothing. Instead, these fat cells were performing actual functions throughout the body. More specifically, the fat cells were releasing hormones that were interfering with the body’s immune system. These hormones were damaging the body’s ability to fight foreign invaders, including cancer cells.

The negatives of putting on extra pounds don’t stop at the body’s immune system. Obesity is also associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, reproductive problems, gallstones, and more.

Scientists calculated the number of years lost in a person’s life due to morbid obesity. This was calculated based on the BMI or basal metabolic rate. For example, a person with a BMI between 40 and 44.9 has the potential to lose 6.5 years of his life. A BMI of 45 to 49.9 has the potential to lose 8.9 years of your life. People with a BMI of 50 to 54.9 could potentially lose 9.8 years of life. For those with a BMI of 55 to 55.9, the potential loss of years can range from 10 to 13.7 years.

The researchers also found that men who were extremely obese had a higher death rate than women who were extremely obese. (856 deaths compared to 663 deaths per 100,000 per year). Comparing this to those with a normal BMI, there were only 347 deaths in men and 281 deaths in women. Researchers have found these findings to be quite significant when it comes to obesity and loss of life.

What is the solution to our obesity problem?

It is important to remember that this is not the only study showing a correlation between certain unhealthy habits and early death rates. It seems that people are ignoring the dangers of obesity. The only thing this study did not consider is that there are other causes of illness and death that traditional medicine is not taking into account.

Some believe that one of the reasons for such prevalence when it comes to obesity is major changes in our food supply. Dr. William Davis, a cardiologist and author of the bestselling Wheat Belly, indicates that genetically modified wheat ends up causing addiction-like substances that are activated in the brain. This is related to the desire to continually eat more and more wheat. This has the potential to contribute to morbid obesity; especially since the glycemic index of wheat is high and the food contributes to a higher than usual insulin release each time wheat is consumed. This release of excess insulin has the potential to cause diabetes.

What can you do to help keep obesity at bay?
The answer can be as simple as taking care of yourself. Regular exercise and a healthy diet can help you maintain a healthy weight. Getting routine medical care can also help prevent and detect disease.

To keep up with the latest changes in society, consult your chiropractor. Your chiropractor has extensive experience with a wide variety of health-related concerns. Your chiropractor will likely attend regular conferences and continuing education to help you stay on top of all the latest issues that may affect your health; including obesity. Your chiropractor will be happy to share information with you and develop a plan for you to lead a healthy lifestyle.

Copyright (c) 2014 LifeWorks Integrative health