Weight Loss

According to the latest statistics on weight loss published by the World Health Organization (WHO), there are currently over $1 billion overweight adults globally, and the number is growing.  Last year, the U.S. alone has spent over $60 billion in weight loss programs and products.

The 10 Most Startling Facts About Weight Loss:

1. The entire world needs to lose weight.

According to the World Health Organization, 1 billion of the world's inhabitants are overweight. (That is almost equal to the number of people who are malnourished in the world.)

Globally, over 22 million children under the age of 5 are considered overweight. This epidemic is largely due to increased consumption of processed foods high in calories and saturated fat, and a decrease in physical activity.

2. Nearly two-thirds of Americans are overweight or obese.

The World Health Organization estimates that nearly two-thirds of all American adults are overweight. The National Center for Health Statistics recently found that 34% of Americans are clinically obese.

3. 50% of American women and 25% of American men are currently on a diet.

With numbers like the ones above, it is no wonder most Americans feel the need to count calories.

However, society's obsession with thinness comes at a price: Chronic dieting and emerging eating disorders are becoming more common among elementary school children.

4. America's top three killers are linked to obesity.

National Geographic published some eye-opening facts about mortality in the USA.

They found that the top three most statistically likely causes of death were heart disease (with a 1 in 5 chance), cancer (with a 1 in 7 chance), and stroke (with a 1 in 24 chance). All of these have been linked to excess weight.

5. Surprisingly, America is not the world's fattest nation.

The World Health Organization gives that dubious honor to Samoa, where more than 93% of the population is overweight or obese. The Pacific isle of Kiribati comes next, with an 82% obesity rate.

America rounds out the top three, but is closely followed by Germany (66.5%), Egypt (66%), and Bosnia-Herzegovina (63%).

6. The weight loss industry is fat and happy.

The obesity epidemic might mean misery for some, but it has certainly padded the pockets of the weight loss industry.

In 2007 alone, the American Dietetic Association found that Americans spent $58 billion on weight loss products. Considering that obesity has gone global, you can imagine how lucrative the weight loss industry must be.

7. Over half of the diet industry's claims are false.

As with any booming industry, there are plenty of unscrupulous sellers trying to prey on individual’s weight loss dreams. The Federal Trade Commission published a study in 2002 which found that 55% of all weight loss claims "strained credibility".

The American Dietetic Association concurs, pointing out the fact that most weight loss products focus on atypical success stories instead of real chances of success.

8. Bariatric surgery does not always work.

Discouraged by multiple failed attempts at weight loss, more people than ever are turning to bariatric surgery. However, there is no evidence that gastric bypass or banding result in permanent weight loss.

The University of Virginia conducted a study that revealed gradual weight regain after 6 years post-surgery.

9. Diets do not work either.

The National Institute of Health has estimated that dieters can expect to regain two-thirds of their lost weight within a year of completing their diet plan. These dieters can expect to regain all of their weight, and possibly more, within 5 years.

10. Fortunately, there is a perfect recipe for lasting weight loss.

The National Weight Control Registry tracks 3,000 people who have lost more than 30 pounds and kept it off for more than a year.

They have found that most of the successful dieters have four behaviors in common: they keep a food journal and monitor their weight; they never skip breakfast; they get an hour of exercise almost every day; and they eat diets consisting of 24% fat, 56% carbs, and 19% lean protein.

Should You Have Weight Loss Surgery?

If you have tried everything and still cannot lose weight, then surgery may be an option for you. However, weight loss surgery is recommended only for people with one of the following:

• Severe obesity (body mass index above 40) (calculator 1 and calculator 2) who have not responded to diet, exercise, or weight loss medicines.
• Body mass index between 35 and 40, along with a serious medical problem (including diabetes, severe joint pain, or sleep apnea) that would improve with weight loss.

You should be sure that you understand the potential risks and benefits of weight loss surgery. You must be motivated and willing to make lifelong changes in how you eat to reach and maintain a healthier weight after surgery. You must also be realistic about weight loss after surgery

Our Network

MedCareLink has partnered with many highly skilled doctors and surgeons that work out of internationally accredited hospitals and clinics worldwide. Our aim is to help our patients seek the best weight loss treatment options at affordable prices.

MedCareLink has identified 7 of the most common types of weight loss surgery. Feel free to click on any of them on the menu bar to the left to learn more about the individual procedure and how MedCareLink can help you find a skilled doctor or surgeon, for a weight loss surgery, absolutely free.

Contact us now. If you are in the USA or Canada, call us toll free at 1.888.832.2089. If you are calling from an international location, please dial us directly at 1.949.783.6827. You can also click on CONTACT US in the menu above and submit your information in the contact form.