Can losing a small amount of weight help my health?
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RealAge answered:Haven't reached your ideal size yet? Hang in there. In fact, make a pact that you'll at least shave off four pounds.
Why? Because a new study showed that dropping a mere four pounds could cut hypertension risk by 8% in middle-aged people and by 11% in the 50-plus set.
Of course, bigger weight loss had even better blood pressure benefits in the eight-year study. For example, losing 15 pounds reduced high blood pressure risk by 21% in the middle-aged folks. Better yet, people 50 to 65 who were 15 pounds thinner enjoyed an even more impressive 29% risk reduction. And isn't it great to know that a realistic mini goal of four pounds will still bring big health benefits on the road to 15?Helpful? 1 person found this helpfulHaven't reached your ideal size yet? Hang in there. In fact, make a pact that you'll at least shave off four pounds. Why? Because a new study showed that dropping a mere four pounds could cut hypertension risk by 8% in middle-aged people and... More -
Dr. Edward Phillips answered:Whittling off just 5% to 10% of excess weight can add up to surprisingly significant health gains. For example, combining a 7% weight loss with 30 minutes of exercise daily lessened the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes by 60% among more than 3,200 adults at higher than normal risk for that ailment, according to research reported in The New England Journal of Medicine. Another study found losing 10 pounds over six months was equivalent to medication in lowering blood pressure—a reduction of 2.8 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) in systolic pressure (top number of your blood pressure reading) and 2.5 mm Hg in diastolic pressure (bottom number). Your knees benefit, too, because losing weight eases pressure on the joint: each pound lost equals a four-pound reduction in knee pressure during every step you take, according to a study reported in Arthritis & Rheumatism. That's a real blessing if you have osteoarthritis.Whittling off just 5% to 10% of excess weight can add up to surprisingly significant health gains. For example, combining a 7% weight loss with 30 minutes of exercise daily lessened the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes by 60% among... More
