From bountiful spreads of rich foods to festive cocktails, there are plenty of ways to treat yourself this season. Yet, watching your weight should become a family health care priority for yourself and your loved ones. Practicing moderation, filling up on nutritious foods, and working out regularly can help you maintain a healthy weight through this time of year and beyond.

3 Important Reasons to Maintain a Healthy Weight

1. Minimize Cancer Risks

Your weight and waist size can influence your odds of developing serious diseases, including cancer. This is especially noteworthy for adults beyond their 20s, as the amount of weight gained beyond this decade plays an especially important role in dictating disease risks. Being overweight can increase the risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Overweight and obese individuals also have greater risks of developing kidney, liver, pancreatic, and colorectal cancer, among other types.

2. Prevent Type 2 Diabetes

Body weight is suspected to play a significant role in a person’s likelihood for developing type 2 diabetes, especially over the age of 45. In fact, being overweight or obese is considered the best predictor of the disease. Your family health care provider can assess your blood sugar levels to determine your risks. In many cases, prediabetes can be reversed with healthy eating and exercises.

3. Improve Health Measures

Maintaining a healthy weight also helps you improve your overall health. From reducing blood pressure to controlling your cholesterol levels, losing weight if needed can help you optimize a number of different health measures. Many of these measures are linked to serious issues, such as cardiac events or stroke, so gaining control of them in your middle ages or younger is an investment for your long-term health. If you’re unsure whether your levels are where they should be, schedule a physical with your family health care provider.

If you’re pursuing weight loss and are interested in receiving guidance from a caring and supportive team of family health care professionals, turn to Mille Lacs Health System. With four family clinics throughout the Mille Lacs Lake area in MI, these medical providers make quality health care convenient and accessible for patients through all phases of life. Browse through their clinic locations by visiting their website or call (320) 532-3154 to schedule an appointment.