In our many years as a trusted family medical clinic in Lawrenceville, Georgia, our commitment to the health of all our clients has never wavered. From containing symptoms of the common cold to battling more serious diseases, from administering flu vaccines to dealing with a variety of women’s health issues – we have assisted our clients through it all. And one of the issues we see most frequently is obesity. 

Obesity

Nearly 155 million Americans age 20 years and older are considered overweight or obese. Among children age two to 19 years, the number comes close to 24 million. It is estimated that obesity costs the U.S. economy almost $254 billion each year in terms of lost productivity and direct medical costs. If left unchecked, the total healthcare cost of obesity could reach more than $900 billion or almost 18 percent of total health expenditures by the year 2030.

There are many reasons behind these alarming statistics. One reason can be found not in the kitchen but in the bedroom. Poor sleeping habits can trigger weight gain and lead to obesity.

Altered Brain Activity

Lack of sleep leads to impaired activity in the brain’s frontal lobe. This is the area of the brain that controls complex decision-making. Sleep-deprived individuals therefore find it difficult to make complex decisions such as why it is better to have an apple over a pizza as a mid-morning snack.

At the same time that sleep deprivation alters frontal lobe brain activity, there is an increased activity in the deeper region of the brain that responds to rewards. This means sleep-deprived individuals tend to give in to their basic desires due to the stimulation in the primal brain structures that control motivation and reward.

This tandem result of a lack of a good night’s sleep explains why we tend to favor unhealthy snacks and junk foods when we do not get a good night’s sleep. A steady diet of high-calorie foods can quickly lead to weight gain and obesity if left uncorrected.

Look no further than Rodriguez MD for reliable and caring doctors in Lawrenceville, Georgia. Our Gwinnett family clinic includes a medical weight loss center designed to cater to the needs of your entire family. We are minutes away from the Gwinnett Medical Center in Georgia. Your family’s health and well-being have always been, and will always be, our top priority. Contact us here.