Obesity: A Heavy-Weight Health Hazard

Obesity is a potentially fatal disease that increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and even cancer.

Overweight people are more likely to suffer from high blood pressure, high levels of triglycerides and LDL cholesterol, which increases the risk of heart disease or having a stroke. More than 80% of people with Type 2 diabetes are overweight. Obesity contributes to more than 100,000 cases of cancer in the United States every year. Women who are overweight or obese tend to have more aggressive cancers and lower survival rates. Moreover, the extra weight puts additional pressure on the joints aggravating the symptoms of arthritis.

A safe and effective weight-loss strategy includes both a healthy diet and exercise. The ideal diet should be one that the person can maintain for the rest of his/her life, and should include balanced amounts of good carbohydrates (vegetables, fruits, legumes and unrefined grains), fats and proteins. Trans-fatty acids, partially hydrogenated fats, sugars, refined flour, and sweetened soft drinks should be avoided.

Since the key to balancing the equation between calories consumed and calories expended is- besides proper nutrition- physical activity, engage in some form of physical activity on a daily basis. Moderate exercise is effective in reducing the risk of heart disease and other health threats. An exercise program for weight-loss should include both aerobic activity and strength training.

Fad diets, on the other hand, often promise a very rapid weight loss, are pushed by salespersons that present themselves as “counselors” or “experts”, do not mention the risks associated with the diet, promote unproved gimmicks and offer no maintenance program. The greatest danger: losing your health and wellbeing in the process of losing weight.

CHILDREN ARE ALSO AT RISK

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that for children and adolescents aged 2-19 years, “The prevalence of obesity is 18.5% and affected about 13.7 million children and adolescents. Hispanics (25.8%) and non-Hispanic blacks (22.0%) had higher obesity prevalence than non-Hispanic whites (14.1%).

Lifestyle and diet play a crucial role in this disease. Round-the-clock snacking, fast-food eating and a sedentary lifestyle are the main culprits. Many Americans prefer “supersized portions” of fattening foods such as sodas, French fries, hamburgers and processed sweets. American children are currently eating more and exercising less than in the past, favoring passive entertainment such as watching TV and playing video-games, over sports or outdoor recreational activities.

The strategy to combat this problem is simple: help them adopt a healthy diet and engage in physical activity. Parents at home should limit their children’s intake of fast food and incorporate a healthy diet based on vegetables, fruits, grains and legumes. At the same time, they should limit the time their children spend doing sedentary activities and have them engage in sports and outdoor activities. In school, a key step would be to review their Physical Education classes and especially eliminate from the school menu all the junk food that they serve daily for snack-time and lunch. Local communities could implement programs in local libraries, parks and coops to educate people on the dangers of obesity and the benefits of a healthy diet, as well as developing more social programs to engage children and parents in physical activity.

The CDC also reports that “Low income children and adolescents are more likely to be obese than their higher income counterparts”, and “Children and adolescents living in households where the head of household has a college degree are less likely to be obese compared with those living in households where the household head has less education, but the relationship is not consistent across race and ethnicity groups.”

That’s right, there is a clear relationship between education and socio-economical level and obesity. That’s why I believe the state and federal governments should reach out and offer help to people that fall into these categories. However, parents of any education and socio-economical level should take responsibility for their children’s health. People don’t need a college degree to know that obesity is not only a serious health problem, but also affects the self-image and confidence of children.

Do not wait until the end of the year; instead of a new year resolution, chose a new life resolution… and start now. I coach my clients at our Ashland studio or at their own home.