Obesity is one of the nation's most serious and fastest growing health problems. Unless you act to address the emotional issues that lead to overeating, you could face long-term problems.

Here are few tips to learn on how to reduce weight

Obesity is one of the nation's most serious and fastest growing health problems. If your body mass index (BMI) is very high (meaning your weight is significantly higher than what is considered healthy for your height) you may be increasing your risk for many serious medical conditions , such as hypertension, heart disease and stroke, type 2 diabetes, gallbladder disease, chronic fatigue, asthma, obstructive sleep apnea, and some forms of cancer.

In women, obesity can cause problems in the reproductive system. And studies show that severe cases of obesity can reduce your life expectancy, particularly if you are a young adult.

The causes of obesity are rarely limited to genetic factors, long-term overeating, or a sedentary lifestyle. What we do and don't do is often derived from how we think and feel. For example, feelings of sadness, anxiety, or stress often lead people to eat more than usual. However, unless you act to deal with these emotions, these short-term strategies can lead to long-term problems.

An interplay of mind and body

Obesity is often accompanied by depression and one can cause and influence the other.

Although the risk for women from having an unhealthy BMI is slightly higher than for men, they are much more vulnerable to the obesity-depression cycle. In one study, obesity in women was associated with a 37 percent increase in major depression. There is also a significant relationship between women with a high BMI and more frequent thoughts of suicide.

Depression can cause and result from stress, which, in turn, can cause a change in your eating habits and activities. Many people with trouble recovering from sudden or emotionally draining events (for example, the loss of a close friend or family member, difficulties in their relationships, losing a job, or facing a serious medical problem) start out without realizing it. , to eat too much of the wrong foods or to give up exercise. In no time, this becomes a habit that is difficult to change.

Binge eating disorder, a behavior associated with obesity and other conditions such as anorexia nervosa, is also a symptom of depression. A study of obese people with compulsive eating disorder problems revealed that 51 percent also had a history of severe depression. Additional research shows that obese women with compulsive eating disorder who have been teased about their appearance later developed body dissatisfaction and depression.

What you can do

Tackling obesity and similar weight management issues requires adopting new habits that encourage a healthy lifestyle, but don't attempt radical changes to your diet or activity patterns. You risk not only exacerbating what is already a precarious health situation but also overlooking the major attitudes and emotional issues that caused obesity in the first place.

Instead, consider a team approach that involves several qualified health professionals. Your doctor will help you develop a safe weight loss plan that includes both diet and exercise. A psychologist can help you with emotional issues, such as stress, depression, or the experiences that caused your weight gain.

Here are some other tips to help you or someone you know take action against obesity:

• Think about what you eat and why. Keep track of your eating habits and write down everything you eat, the time of day, and the amount of food. Also record the thoughts you had at the time. Were you sad or upset about something? Or, had you just had a stressful experience and felt the urge to eat "comfort food"?

• Reduce portions when eating the same foods. In addition to making the diet less exclusive, you will soon be satisfied with the smaller portions. This will also give you a platform to further reduce your appetite.

• Keep in mind that while treating obesity helps reduce feelings of depression, weight loss is never successful if you continue to be burdened by stress and other negative feelings. You may have to work to resolve these issues before starting a weight loss program.\

• Losing weight is always easier when you have the support of your friends and family. Try to involve your whole family in eating a healthier diet. Many hospitals and schools also sponsor support groups of individuals who offer valuable encouragement and support to one another. Research shows that those who participate in these groups lose more weight than if they dieted alone.

• Use the "buddy system."  Ask a friend or family member to be "on call" to offer you moral support when you are tempted to stray from your new lifestyle. Just make sure you don't compete with this person for weight loss.

• Don't obsess over the days when you lose discipline and can't help but eat more. This is often a problem for women who tend to be very hard on themselves by losing discipline. See what thoughts or feelings lead you to eat more on that particular day, and how you can cope in other ways than overeating. A psychologist can help you formulate a plan of action to control these uncomfortable feelings.

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