| The American
Heart Association has declared obesity a
"major risk" factor in heart attacks,
adding it to a list that includes smoking, high
blood pressure, high cholesterol and a sedentary
lifestyle. Though
health officials have long warned that obesity
can cause coronary heart disease, which leads to
heart attacks, the heart association decided to
upgrade its warnings after recent studies found
that more and more Americans are overweight.
Previously, the
heart association listed obesity as a
"contributing risk" factor for heart
attacks.
A study published
in the journal Science last month found that 54
percent of U.S. adults and 25 percent of the
nation's children are heavier than is healthy.
Obesity itself has become a lifelong disease and
not a cosmetic issue. it is becoming a dangerous
epidemic.
Obesity needs to
accepted as a chronic disease, just like high
blood pressure or high blood cholesterol. Studies
have shown that gradual weight losses of between
5 and 10 percent of body weight can decrease
blood pressure and cholesterol levels, which are
often higher in obese people.
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