According to surveys conducted by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 65.2% of Americans (both male and female) aged 20-74 years old are overweight, and 31.1% of the population is obese. Weight loss is becoming a primary concern because the trend of obesity-related health conditions is rising. To address the issue of obesity, some people turn to Very Low Calorie Diets.

Very Low Calorie Diets are helpful for people with mild to serious obesity problems. It is a short term weight loss program that is not meant to become a lifestyle for anybody.

In a Very Low Calorie Diet, commercially-prepared formula with low calorie content to replace your usual food intake. This is not the same as those over the counter meal substitutes. This kind of diet can result to a steady weight loss of about 5 lbs per week for people who are severely or moderately obese. It is very helpful in keeping obesity-related conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure in check.

For people who have a body mass of over 30, a Very Low Calorie Diet can be relatively safe provided that it is done under the supervision of a qualified medical professional. People who have moderate obesity, with a body mass of about 27-30 typically just go through Very Low Calorie Diet due to medical complications resulting to their mild obesity.

This means that Very Low Calorie Diets are not for everyone. It is prescribed on a case-to-case basis as this is not appropriate for some people. Pregnant women, adults over 50, children, and adolescents are not advised to go through this weight loss program except in circumstances where the doctor prescribes it.

Very Low Calorie Diets can also have several side effects on people who are on it. The most common side effect is the formation of gallstones. Gallstones are common in obese people, especially in women, but the possibility of formation is heightened when the body is going through rapid weight loss. The rate with which weight is loss through Very Low Calorie Diets causes the gallbladder to contract bile slower. However the formation of gallstones is more likely to be connected with the rapid weight loss rather than the diet itself.

In any weight loss program, however, the key to losing the weight and keeping it off is a change in lifestyle and attitude. In obesity treatment, it’s good to try a Very Low Calorie Diet together with behavioral therapy. This is to address the issue where a person does not recognize the signals their body is giving them when they are full. Behavioral therapy can also help pinpoint the psychological and emotional triggers that cause you to overeat, and then address these triggers.

In any weight loss program, neglecting to understand what made you need it in the first place would eventually bring you back to that same situation where you need to lose weight. The best way to keep the weight off is to form healthy habits. An active lifestyle, a proper and balanced diet, a good attitude towards your body will help. In some instances, exploring other types of weight loss option would also help, such as natural weight loss pills like Proactol.

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