As with many medical conditions & risk factors, obesity seems to have a genetic basis.  Many individuals look at their family and say that since they come from a family that is “big-boned” or that have “more fat cells” being obese is “normal” for them.  While it may be their genetic tendency, it doesn’t make it any less of a problem from a health standpoint.  Family history is a risk factor for obesity, but it does not make obesity any less a risk factor for diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease.   It is important to understand this point.  If you understand the additional risk and are willing to take that risk, by all means, live your life as you please at whatever weight you prefer.  Just don’t be deluded into thinking that with a family history of obesity, you have no additional health risk if you yourself are overweight or obese.

Also consider that if you want to maintain your size, there are other risk factors that you can lower to minimize your health risks.  For example, focus on your activity level to lower your heart disease risk.  Increase your activity to at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week.  Not only that, those 30 minutes don’t have to be done all at once.  As long as you do at least 10 minutes at a session and those sessions total at least 30 minutes, you’ll get the same benefit as if you exercised 30 minutes all at once.  Of course, if you stay overweight or obese, you still have an added risk due to that, but you may be able to lower your overall risk a bit in other ways.  Talk with your doctor about it.  It’s your body & your decision.

What do you think?  Share your thoughts!

For Your Health – Dr. Bob