No Shortcuts to Health and Weight Loss

For some, losing weight is a never-ending battle that entails personal and social consequences. Being overweight is now a health problem for about two-thirds of the current U.S. population. Being overweight and obese increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, and some forms of cancer, and other diseases. As a social problem, being obese or overweight makes a person more susceptible to ridicule and name calling. In fact, it is now common to hear friends and relatives greet each other by saying, Oh! You gained weight! The more complimentary form is when people greet others by saying, Wow! You look like you’ve lost a lot of weight! Either way, the subliminal message of these greetings point to society’s obsession with physical beauty. No wonder, many overweight and obese individuals struggle with maintaining their confidence and self-esteem in the face of society’s aesthetic demands.

Due to these health risks and social consequences, more and more people are now becoming more conscious about their figure and lifestyle. Fitness and health industries are now experiencing a business boom due to the sheer number of people who want to...