Obesity Prevention

Gallstones form in the gallbladder from solid material, mostly cholesterol. They may be as small as a grain of sand and reach the size of a golf ball. The silent gallstones are painless but the symptomatic gallstones cause abdominal or back pain.

The common symptoms of gallstones include severe pain under the right shoulder, in the upper abdomen, or in the right shoulder blade that may last from thirty minutes up to several hours. Nausea or vomiting are also symptoms that indicate gallstones, as well as indigestion after eating high-fat foods.

Obesity is a risk for gallstones especially among women, according to specialists. Obese people produce more cholesterol than people with a healthy weight. The problem for the obese people is that the bile produces more cholesterol that in can dissolve and gallstones form.

Studies showed that weight loss is a risk for developing gallstones too, especially for people who lose a lot of weight in a short period. The fast weight loss may transform silent gallstones into symptomatic gallstones.

Researchers proved that many people who followed a very low-calorie diet developed silent gallstones. Common practices of dieters, like too low in fat diets or long periods without eating may decrease gallbladder contractions and lead to gallstones formation.

Symptomatic gallstones may also occur in the first months after the intervention for people who had bariatric surgery. However, the risk of developing gallstones may be decreased if people lose weight gradually and aim to a modest weight loss that can be maintained.

Experts recommend that people should include fat on their diet in order to stimulate gallbladder contracting. Studies proved that high-fiber diets and calcium reduce the risk of developing gallstones.

Physical activity can also prevent gallstones and unhealthy weight gain. An hour of moderate to high intensity physical activity can decrease the risk of having gallstones.

The silent gallstones usually disappear on their own, for the symptomatic gallstones the common treatment is surgery. In some cases, drugs may dissolve the gallstones.

The repeated loss of body weight followed by weight re-gain is called weight cycle. A small weight cycle is the loss and regain of up to ten lbs. Large weight cycles imply the loss and regain of fifty lbs or more.

Although specialists can`t say for sure how weight cycling is related to health problems, some studies showed a connection to high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and gallbladder disease. In time, women affected by weight cycle gain more weight compared to women who don`t, according to studies.

Binge eating was also associated to weight cycling for women. Some people who deal with weight cycling tend to feel depressed, although gaining weight is not a failure and may disappear when eating habits change.

Researchers did not prove that fat tissues increase or muscle mass decrease after a weight cycle. However, studies showed that weight cycling has nothing to do with the metabolic rate, or how fast food energy is burned. This rate can be slowed down as people get older.

Specialists recommend lifelong changes for people who try to maintain a healthy weight but face weight cycling. A healthy diet that includes more high-fiber food such as fruit or vegetables should be a start for them.

Some people think that they put more fat around the stomach because of weight cycling but studies proved this to be a myth. However, some researchers noticed that women with a history of weight cycling present thicker layers of fat in the stomach area than women who didn`t faced weigh cycling.

Many issues regarding weight cycling are still unclear, and researchers need to conduct further studies in order to establish what influence this process has on people. One research goal is to establish weight cycling is a cause, or effect, of insufficient physical and mental health.

Meanwhile, if you`re dealing with a weight cycle, remember to change your eating habits and bring more physical activity to your life.