Fighting Obesity

Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have an adverse effect on health. It is often the result of excessive calorie intake, lack of physical activity, and genetic predispositions.

The primary treatment for obesity is dieting and physical exercise. If this fails, anti-obesity drugs may be taken to reduce appetite or inhibit fat absorption. In extreme cases, surgery is performed or an intra-gastric balloon is placed to reduce stomach reduce stomach volume or bowel length. This leads to earlier satiation and the reduced ability to absorb nutrients from food.

Obesity is associated with an array of diseases, particularly heart disease, type 2 diabetes, respiratory diseases, sleep apnea, arthritis, and cancer. It is one of the leading preventable causes of death worldwide and health officials consider it as one of the most serious public health problems in the 21st century.

BMI is the leading indicator of obesity and is categorized thus:

1) < 18.5 BMI = Underweight
2) 18.5-24.9 = Normal weight
3) 25.0-29.9 = Overweight
4) 30.0-34.9 = Class I obesity
5) 35.0-39.9 = Class II obesity
6) > 40.0 = Class III obesity

In addition, some revised definitions include the following:

1) A BMI of 40.0-49.9 = Morbid Obesity
2) A BMI > 50 = Super Obesity

However, it is worth noting that BMI is highly subjective when considering people such as bodybuilders whose weight and height may classify them as overweight or obese, but they are actually mostly lean mass.

One of the focal points of the battle against obesity has been childhood obesity. Treatments used for childhood obesity mainly focus on lifestyle interventions and behavioral techniques. Surgery and medication is not FDA approved in this age group but has been used in some very extreme cases. It makes sense to begin with childhood obesity simply because they are the highest-risk group to become obese adults.

Childhood obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the 21st century in both developed and developing worlds. In the United States, depending on the age group, rates of childhood obesity have double and tripled.

Rising childhood obesity has been blamed on everything from self-propelled transportation, lack of school physical education, and a drop in organized sports. However, the overwhelming majority of experts agree that when it comes to childhood obesity, genetics accounts for a minute proportion, but lifestyle habits is the number one cause of childhood obesity.

Childhood obesity often persists into adulthood, studies show that 70% of obese children go on to become obese adults and 80% suffering from childhood obesity go on to become obese adults if either or both parents are obese.

The following are the leading 5 ways to battle obesity:

1) The main treatment course is diet and exercise. Not only does this produce weight loss, but also lessens the chances of developing the many chronic illnesses associated with obesity.

2) Weight loss programs are a great way to find support to promote lifestyle changes. They have shown modest results in weight loss, but can go a long way in changing the mental state of someone suffering from obesity.

3) FDA approved obesity medication is available in two forms: orlistat, or Xenical, reduces intestinal fat absorption and sibutramine (Meridia) is a neuro-inhibitor which curbs your appetite.

4) Surgery generally takes the form of a band placed around the stomach or bowel shortening surgery. These options are reserved for those suffering from severe or morbid obesity.

Prevent Obesity

We all know the dangers of obesity and overweight. While it is true that being a little overweight is extremely subjective to body-type (higher levels of abdominal fat is worse than fat that is evenly distributed throughout the body), obesity and overweight contributes to an already bursting health care budget. Overweight and obesity are associated with an increased risk for some types of cancer. An overweight person has a 20% greater mortality rate from associated conditions than a normal weighted individual while someone suffering from obesity has a 70% greater chance and someone who is suffering from morbid obesity has a 200% greater mortality rate. Statistics have revealed that two of the most commonly associated diseases with obesity and overweight, stroke and heart failure, are also the two principal causes of death and disability among people in the U.S.

In addition to the above, obesity and overweight have been attributed to various mental illnesses such as depression, social anxiety, and even Alzheimer’s.

There are probably too many healthy foods out there to list and although it would make for an important topic, so let’s focus on the most common bad foods and how to avoid them.

The typical American diet is chock full of the following:

1) Refined sugars
2) Hydrogenated and refined oils
3) Chemicals and preservatives

The above have been increasingly added to our diet over the last several decades and has had an enormous effect on overweight and obesity.

The following food categories are often the most common ways we gorge ourselves into obesity and overweight on those three unnecessary substances:

1) Processed and Junk Food – Any food that has chemicals, preservatives, hydrogenated and refined oils, and refined sugars is not good for you. Fast food is high in all of the above. Pay attention to ingredients labels and avoid foods with high sugar, hydrogenated or refined oils, and dyes or colorings.

2) Avoid The Processed “White Devils” – This would encompass white processed flour, many processed wheat products, white bread, non-whole grain pasta, white rice, crackers, cereals, and non-whole wheat pizzas. These products are highly processed, high in sugar and carbohydrates and low in nutrients.

3) Avoid Refined Sugar – Refined sugar is often called a “poison” by nutritionists. It holds zero nutritional value and is merely empty calories. If you can do away with one substance for your life, it should be refined sugars.

Instead, anyone suffering from obesity or overweight should consider the following:

1) Lean meat – Whether it’s beef, pork, lamb, or chicken, they are all excellent sources of protein and do not contain large amounts of fat

2) Protein-rich foods – Protein rich foods appear to trigger mechanisms in our brain telling us we are full.

3) Pasta, rice, rye bread, and other whole grain foods are useful because they contain complex carbohydrates and have a low calorie count. These foods are digested slowly and lead to a gradual rise in blood sugar levels, unlike the spikes caused by fast foods, and leaves the stomach feeling fuller for longer.

4) Yogurts and fruits make good snacks because they help keep the biochemistry of the blood balanced. They can also be combined to make a pretty delicious snack. Be careful of taking in too much refined sugars though.

Childhood Obesity Epidemic

There is an obesity epidemic in the United States. This means that the number of people suffering from obesity has increased steadily in recent years. The root of this problem is often blamed on childhood obesity. According to recent data from the National Center for Health Statistics, approximately one child of every five in the U.S. suffers from obesity.

First, let’s cover what it means to be overweight.

You may think that you can look at someone and tell if they’re overweight, but this is not always true. In fact, obesity is not diagnosed simply by looking at someone, but by taking into account our individual body shape and then measuring our body mass index (BMI), which is calculated using a person’s weight and height. BMI gives an estimate of the amount of body fat relative to lean body mass.

What causes childhood obesity?

There is evidence that ties obesity to genetic factors, but personal behavior and dietary habits are probably the most important factors. Childhood obesity is often the result of children gorging themselves with an increasing amount of calories, especially calories from fat, than they need a day.

What are the complications of childhood obesity?

Besides the social difficulties, and the emotional issues that arise from thus, childhood obesity puts children at risk of health problems such as orthopedic problems, sleep disturbances, menstruation problems and diabetes. Some researchers have also suggested at a link between childhood obesity and asthma. In addition, children who suffer from childhood obesity are also more likely to suffer develop high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, arthritis, and certain kinds of cancers as adults.

Childhood obesity can also increase chances of being bullied and lead to a life of obesity. The obesity epidemic has extensive personal consequences and, inevitably, significant financial implications as well.

What can be done?

If you suspect your child suffers from childhood obesity, contact their pediatrician. Your child’s BMI will be compared with national growth charts to decide if he will be diagnosed with obesity. Your doctor will then suggest a target weight for your child.

Next, it’s time to sit down together as a family and make a plan. The whole family must be involved, especially if parents or siblings also suffer from obesity. Remember, the child does not make decisions regarding family meals and activities. In addition, refrain from approaching the problem with a “you are fat and need to lose weight” approach, but attempt to convey the idea that “we all need to eat right and be active so that we can be healthy.”

In addition to any changes made at home, be sure that the fight against obesity does not end the minute your child steps into school.

Schools have a responsibility to help students avoid obesity by encouraging them to become more active and eat better. The following are reasons why schools are having such a tough time battling obesity:
1. Soda and snack machines along with snack bars boast impressive financial incentives from their  suppliers.
2. School districts “in the red” are hard pressed for resources to create quality phys-ed programs
3. Increasing demand for higher academic achievement in core subjects

The rate of childhood obesity has skyrocketed since the 1980′s. While the immediate impacts are worrisome, the long-term effects on sustainable health care, general well-being and quality of life are profound. Obesity is a full-blown epidemic and it needs attention now.