Chose to lose weight to a level that doesn't compromise your health nor quality of life.
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We are bringing up a generation that will need to lose weight.
As parents we are concerned about road safety and stranger danger. However we seem to be less vigilant about a widespread danger to our kids. We appear to be compromising their health at an increasingly younger age. While historically many adults have drifted into obesity in middle age we are raising a generation that will enter adulthood obese. Not the proudest of legacies!
An investigation of children’s meals at fast food outlets found only 3% met the standards set by the National School Lunch Program. The average energy density of the meals that failed the standards was 2.3 calories per gram compared with 1.5 in the standards. Of the meals that failed 65% had too much fat while the levels of a number of key nutrients were inadequate.
reference: J.M. Mendoza, “Kids, Fast Food, & Obesity: Menu Reviews From a Houston Pediatrician” Agricultural Research, October 2009
To read the article click on: article
Lets make sure our kids eat well and enter adulthood healthy. It will then be up to them to determine their future health and hopefully they will follow the guidance provided to them in their formative years.
regards, Keith
Researchers have found adequate sleep levels were a factor in workers making healthy food choices.
reference: O.M Buxton et al, Vol 99, No. S3, American Journal of Public Health, November 2009,
While the research has relevance for workplace practices we can take the finding on board personally. If we are not sleeping properly we are more likely to make poorer choices about what we eat.
Sleep well, Keith
While you may have a natural tendancy to put on fat easily you can lose weight and control weight loss whatever genes you have.
A review of an article in the November 2009 issue of the Journal of Nutrition reported on research regarding a possible link between genes and the propensity to develop belly fat. It was found the presence of various genetic factors increased the ease at which individuals put on body fat. It was noted some participants were consuming excessive saturated fat.
While there were genetic links to obesity there was not a link between genetic traits and the risk of developing metabolic syndrome. (See blog on metabolic syndrome)
Probably the most interesting comment from the study is – “while we may have a genetic disposition to obesity we are largely in control of our weight.”
According to Health Day the orginal source can be found in Journal of Nutrition, November 2009.
To source the article click on: Health Day review of article
regards, Keith
According to research 100,500 cases of cancer in America each year are due to overweight/obesity. Obesity also affects the recovery rate after cancer treatment.
One of the authors, Melinda Irwin, recommends exercise for cancer survivors. It would appear exercise assists to regulate hormones, with regular activity improving survival rates for both obese and healthy weight individuals.
To read the article click on the link: American Institute for Cancer Research article
source: http://www.aicr.org/site/News2/
regards, Keith
If you are obese lose weight to reduce the risk of damage to your heart.
Left atrial enlargement of the heart can lead to atrial fibrillation, stroke and death. The Journal of the American College of Cardiology reports obesity is the most important risk factor for left atrial enlargement. The authors conclude early intervention is important if young obese people are to avoid premature changes to their heart.
If you are obese it would appear important to lose weight, what ever your age, to avoid or minimise left atrial enlargement. A change in diet and possibly lifestyle could be life saving.
To access the article click: JACC article abstract
regards, Keith
A recent study reported participants on a low fat diet had an improved mood compared with those on a high fat – very low carbohydrate diet. While both diets had contributed to similar weight loss over a year the better mood may contribute to more successful long term weight loss for those on the low fat diet.
Click here to access the article: Archives of Internal Medicene, November 2009 article abstract
What I find amazing is that science is still spending so much resource investigating low fat and low carbohydrate diets in the first place. It is increasingly clear low fat/carbohydrate are only short term fixs. Until the mindset is firmly on adequate / balanced eating habits the results of diets will be short lived and disappointing.
Eat good fat, carbohydrate and protein in moderation…
The only low diet I recommend is a low glycemic diet and the main things that this diet is low in are the high sugar foods that are the major contributors to the health crises we face today – including obesity and metabolic syndrome.
regards, Keith
A recent study indicates excessive red meat, particularly cooked at high temperature, may increase the risk of prostate cancer.
To access the article click on the link: Meat and Meat-related Compounds and Risk of Prostate Cancer in a Large Prospective Cohort Study in the United States
regards, Keith
The need to lose weight is, or should be, a concern for many - where ever they live.
Obesity: the public health challenge of our time
While the report (extract below) is now several years old it remains relevant today. If two thirds of Americans are overweight or obese how is this wave of obesity to be addressed? If this is the American experience other developed countries are likely to have the same issue, making the article widely applicable.
While the authors look at the issue from both an individual and a public perspective each one of us can take responsibility for our own health and manage our weight, chosing to lose weight and maintain the weight loss if required.
The full article is available at:
M.T. Bassett & S. Perl, Vol 94, No. 9, American Journal of Public Health, September 2004.
Extract: “Obesity has become the public health issue of the day—and for good reason. The data outline a dismal picture and a more foreboding future. The prevalence of obesity has doubled in adults and children and tripled in adolescents over the past 2 decades. Two thirds of Americans are overweight or obese. Each year in the United States, 400 000 deaths and $117 billion in health-care and related costs are attributable to obesity.
There is little debate over how an individual person becomes obese: she eats more calories than she expends. Rather, debate rages over how entire populations have become obese so quickly. Sedentary lifestyles, calorie-dense foods, large portion sizes, and excessive television viewing are among the identified contributors.
Which side of the equation is most to blame? There is no doubt that physical activity levels have declined. The “eat more” influence of the food industry on nutrition and health also has been documented (see, e.g., Nestle M. Food Politics. Berkeley: University of California Press; 2002).
There is debate over whether increasing physical activity and improving nutrition are matters of individual behavioral change (eat better, exercise more) or environmental change (add bike paths, ensure the availability of fresh produce). While both are important, limited resources dictate that choices be made.
The sad truth is that when it comes to helping individuals lose weight, public health professionals, health care providers, and the diet industry have all been woefully unsuccessful. Long-term success stories are few. Stories of weight regained abound. “
A recent study found Latino adolescents who increased their fiber intake reduced the amount of fat around their waists.
reference: J.N. Davis et al, American Journal of Nutrition, November, 2009
While the authors were cautious about generalising from these results its worth considering how they might apply to the rest of us. How much fiber are you currently consuming? It is likely many people could improve their overall diet by increasing their fiber levels. One of the possible benefits might be a reduction in belt size!
For fiber look to fruit and veges as the best sources. If you eat an orange rather than have an orange drink you get the fiber as well as the vitamin C!
And, if you’re really interested in reducing your belt size consider getting my book Enjoy Losing Weight. I reduced my waist measurement by many inches (and enjoyed doing it). Whats more my waist has remained the same size since.
regards, Keith
We’re told to lose weight to stay trim and to keep active. However, will this really lead to better health, particularly as we age?
A study looked at the relation between body mass index, exercise, overall health, and physical functioning in people in their fifties. Results indicate maintaining ideal body weight is important in preventing decline in overall health and physical functioning. However, regular exercise can reduce the risk of health decline even among individuals who cannot achieve ideal weight.
The findings reinforce the importance of eating well to maintain weight and losing weight if need be. I recall another study finding over 30% of middle aged people are overweight. This would indicate many of us are at risk of poor health and would benefit from losing weight. The value of exercise is also reinforced and indicates the importance of maintaining activity whatever our age.
So eat well and keep moving, Keith
reference: Xiaoxing Z. He, MD, MPH and David W. Baker, September 2004, Vol 94, No. 9, American Journal of Public Health
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Now is the BEST time to start losing weight!
Get the book, enjoy losing the weight
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