There are a variety of biochemical and mechanical changes that take place when you lose weight, leading to improvements in your health. According to weight control network, these are some of the health benefits of losing weight:
- Heart disease and stroke: Losing 5-10 percent of your body weight may lower your risk of heart disease or stroke.
- Sleep apnea: Losing weight can help decrease the size of your neck. Excess fat in the body and neck collapses airways while sleeping.
- Type 2 diabetes: The Diabetes Prevention Program (DDP), a large clinical study sponsored by the National Institute of Health, looked at ways to prevent type 2 diabetes in overweight adults.
- Osteoarthritis: Losing Weight at least 5 percent of your body weight may reduce the stress on your knees, hips, and lower back.
- Cancer: Despite limited research, there’s growing belief that weight loss may lower your risk for certain types of cancer.
