It is alarming to note that more and more people are getting obese these days. Studies have found that obesity is primarily caused by people's increasing and uncontrolled appetite for food.

However, most of the food sold in the market nowadays is processed; almost all the essential nutrients are replaced by substances that contribute to the accumulation of harmful fats.

Thus, as long as people take in more processed food, more and more cases of obesity would be reported. In the United States alone, it is estimated that seven out of ten kids under 12 can be categorized as obese.

The figure in the global scale can even be depressing, because the trend in food production tends to be inclined more towards food processing.

Moreover, so many different and innovative procedures and diet-activity programs are being introduced nowadays to curtail the problem pertaining to excessive weight.

Ear stapling

During the first half of 2006, many weight loss aficionados tried the wonders of ear stapling, which, as sources claim, significantly helps one to lose weight. Many figure-conscious individuals in the United States have flocked to clinics and shops offering ear-stapling services.

What is ear stapling? Ear stapling is the process when a staple is inserted in the ear, at the area near the acupuncture point for the stomach. The area is on the cartilage near the hole of the ear.

The process is almost like ear piercing and acupuncture. The stapling procedure would hurt like an ordinary ear piercing.

Many people who have tried the procedure claim that ear stapling really works. Most of the ear stapling recipients report losing a few pounds within only two to three weeks.

From the anecdotal evidence, it appears ear stapling is truly an effective measure for weight loss. That may give credence to the procedure, but not formal test yet has proved its effectiveness.

How ear stapling works and the dangers posed

Since the ear staple is placed near the pressure point that is linked to the stomach, people assert that the procedure triggers a significant loss in appetite.

There are reported cases, however, that indicate a direct physical effect. There are reports that since the staple is put in the ear cartilage, it causes pain when the person opens the mouth and chew food.

If the appetite is not lessened, the pain caused by the chewing activity makes people not want to take in food anymore. Thus, the person with an ear staple would drastically lessen food consumption.

Another potential problem would arise from infection. Since ear stapling creates a wound, improper handling and unhygienic procedure would certainly lead to accumulation of bacteria and other microorganisms in the small wound.

The problem of infection can be serious and even fatal if the would remains untreated. Thus, the weight loss regimen becomes a trigger for other medical condition.

Experts warn people against jumping into the bandwagon. They recommend that obese people simply follow normal eating and exercise programs instead of relying heavily on such non-conventional weight-loss strategies.

People should also be wary of who would perform the simple stapling operation since the ear area is very sensitive and some other pressure points might be pricked, causing adverse body reactions.

Do not perform the activity by yourself or ask a friend to do it for you. If you can't resist trying it out, at least seek help from medical practitioners who are experts in piercing or creating minor wounding activities.

Do not compromise your overall health by just hoping to yield results from a minor procedure that is not yet tested to help reduce weight.