More Medical Assisted Weight Loss Programs May Be the Key to Controlling Obesity

Obesity is a growing problem in our society. What is even more serious is that obesity can lead to additional medical problems including heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, and cancer. This could put a strain on healthcare if it is not controlled better, especially as we move toward healthcare reform. Will effective medical weight loss programs become more available - even for those who are not morbidly overweight? Chances are quite possible.

People Continue to Try Losing Weight the Wrong Way

Meanwhile, it's not as though people aren't trying to lose weight. Otherwise the latest fad diet wouldn't become so popular so fast. Of course, people who do try these fad diets find that while the diet may work short term, the weight generally comes back - sometimes even extra.

The unhealthy starvation, the basis of most fad diets, not only ruins metabolism, but the post weight gain then affects the person psychologically. This makes it even more difficult to lose weight.

Medical Assisted Weight Loss is Only for Extreme Obesity?

Of course, another way to lose weight is through bariatric surgery. Yet this type of medical weight loss offers many options for an extremely overweight patient (morbidly obese). As it continues to prove success for such patients, however, it appears that newer, even safer procedures, such as gastric banding are emerging.

To explain how the bariatric surgical process is evolving: Gastric banding is a bariatric surgery procedure that is less invasive, is adjustable and reversible, plus it can be performed on an outpatient basis. In addition, gastric banding requires the patient to follow a stringent follow-up process with the support coming from either their surgeon or another weight loss medical professional.

Why Do Doctors and Patients Avoid Talking About Obesity?

So it seems that bariatric surgery is popular enough for such improvements to be made in the area of medical weight loss. Or is it that popular? Recent studies are still finding that patients and doctors are not talking to each other about obesity, as reported in a recent article by Medical News Today.

What's more, these studies have found that following surgery, the feeling from both the bariatric patients and the doctors is that they wish they would have addressed the issue sooner, since bariatric surgery works so successfully. The Obesity Action Coalition couldn't agree more. In fact, they expect healthcare professionals to do more, like discuss other weight loss options besides surgery.

Unfortunately, it is something that is not done. Perhaps it would be if it were covered by insurance. This, of course, may require additional training for healthcare professionals in the area medical assisted weight loss. In the long run, though, it may be worth the training.

Insurance Proposal May Pave the Way for Improvements

Well it may just change to this. For instance, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has recently proposed to begin allowing obesity as a covered diagnosis, in attempt to lower the obesity rate.

This may mean big changes in the healthcare community and society in general as we head toward healthcare reform. Finally, people will get the help they need to make necessary lifestyle changes to improve their quality of life.

Until then, if you are suffering from weight issues, talk to your healthcare professional. The more people who make these requests, the more medical weight loss offerings may become available sooner.

Please visit our site to learn more about medical weight loss and weight loss programs.

View the original article here

Obesity: The Triumph of the Sextraverts

Overweight is not simply a matter of what you eat, and how much exercise you take, it's also closely linked with your personality. Some people are extraverts, which means that by nature they're lively souls programmed to spend their days in a constant hunt for excitement and pleasure in their immediate physical and social environment. At the opposite end of the behavioural spectrum are the introverts, who tend to shy away from social contacts and allow themselves to be preoccupied with their own private thoughts. These emotional differences play a major role in weight control. This was revealed in a study carried out at the Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago, which compared the sex lives of matched groups of fat and slim married women. The results showed that 'in terms of erotic readiness and general sexual excitability' the fat women were nearly twice as sensuous as their slim counterparts. 'These women obviously weren't overeating instead of having sex,' the researchers concluded, 'their craving for both food and sex exists almost simultaneously.'

It's good to have a lust for life and be the life and soul of the party. One small snag is that extroversion trends to be linked with substance abuse and addictive behaviour. This means that if you're an outgoing type, you'll probably find it easier to be hooked on food and drink. That drawback can be overcome by taking firm control of your social and physical environment. Make sure that when you look around to find some way of tickling the pleasure centres of your brain you'll see a skipping rope rather than a tempting plate of chocolate biscuits. If you want to stop for a jovial chat with your colleagues at work, make a point of meeting them on the stairs rather than in the lift. And when you select your chums and lifetime partners, do your best to choose subjects who are slim rather than overweight. In that way you'll be more likely to take your evening entertainment in a bowling alley rather than a pizza parlour.

And keep taking the erotic medicine. Sexual intercourse is an energetic occupation, whether it's a vigorous romp in the hay or a few minutes refined coupling in the marital bed. Metabolic studies show that on average it uses up about 200 calories, which makes it as energetic as half an hour's jogging. So don't let your passions die when you settle down in a long term relationship. A poll carried out by researchers at Loughborough University found that married couples were far less likely to take the recommended daily level of physical activity than those living on their own. As a result married couples are twice as likely to be obese as their single counterparts. This fact has been put to practical use by dairy farmers, who have restricted the sexual activity of their heifers by fitting them with 'Wei-Gro' vaginal inserts. The insertion of these plastic chastity belts has led to an an acceleration of up to a quarter in the rate at which they gained weight.

Ursula Andress, the Swiss bombshell whose dramatic emergence from the Caribbean sea in Dr No, wearing only a skimpy white bikini with a sheath knife tied around her waist, was voted number one in the 'World's Sexy Moments'. Some years later, when she was asked how she maintained her sylph like figure, the still svelte star replied 'Loving keeps me slim.' That surely must be a more enjoyable was of keeping slim than pumping iron or running marathons.

© http://www.donaldnorfolk.co.uk 2011

View the original article here

Proof That We Are Eating Ourselves to Death?

One of the greatest gifts we possess as humans is the power to choose, and we use it recklessly. We choose all kinds of things that are horrible for us. This has never been truer than when it comes to our daily nutrition choices. As Americans we have access to the best foods in the world, but unfortunately we also have access to the worst. This is where we take the turn to reckless. Instead of making healthy decisions, we make all kinds of excuses as to why it is easier and cheaper to just go thru the drive-thru and grab a happy meal. Which should be renamed the unhappy meal for the havoc it wreaks on our bodies, but that is for a different conversation.

Based on obesity rate from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) we are the unhealthiest country in the World!

This is extremely sad to me. When I am in public, sometime I just sit and observe the crowds of people. I have determined based on my purely visual study, that 80 percent of the people I see are overweight. I am not saying by any means that everyone needs to be in excellent shape and be able to run a 4 minute mile. What I am saying is that as a society we are out of control. We are growing at an excessive rate.

We will successful bankrupt on healthcare system by eating ourselves to death!

Here are some statistics to wrap you head around. The following statistics are from the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

33.8% (1/3) of adults in the USA are obese (for details on how the CDC defines obese visit their website at http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/defining.html)

17% (12.5 Million) children and adolescents (age 2-19) are obese.

These numbers don't include the millions that are overweight and borderline obese. As a result of these staggering numbers the disease of diabetes is at an all-time high. The American Diabetes Association states that 25.8 million children and adults in the USA have diabetes. They estimate the cost of diabetes on the healthcare system to be $174 Billion Dollars (this dollar amount was based on 2007 statistics). Can you imagine what the 2011/2012 cost will be? $250 Billion? Maybe more?

The sad true is that we can stop this epidemic. We have the power to choose and we MUST start choosing our health over the happy meal.

Jay Nixon B.S., CFNC, SNS, CPT
jay@nixonelite.com

Jay Nixon -Weight Loss Success Coach, Certified Nutrition and Fitness Specialist - devoted to helping you achieve your weight loss goals. If you need to lose weight and have tried and failed with countless efforts, I am your solution. I will guide you through your weight loss journey and give you all the tools you need to maintain your results for the rest of your life. To start your weight loss journey call me at 818-571-5287 or visit http://www.nixonelite.com/ to schedule a consultation.

For FREE tips you can follow me on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/NixonElite and twitter @nixonelite

View the original article here

Using Mineral Supplements With a Natural Diet

Professionals of the modern world are, invariably, on the heavier side because of the kind of lifestyle that they lead. In fact, the problem of obesity is one that has been plaguing the majority of developed nations and numerous developing countries as well. The direct cause for this problem being so widespread in the world is simply the fact that people are depending on unnaturally processed foods and gorging on fast foods too much. These foods, while extremely tasty, tend to lack the major and minor nutrients that the body needs to keep itself healthy.

Moreover, even if you switch from these types of foods to a natural and balanced diet to lose weight, you would find yourself lacking some small but equally vital nutrients because processed food items and hybrid fruits and vegetables lack them. The solution to this weight loss problem, of course, is to make sure that your body gets these nutrients with the help of natural supplements.

One type of nutrient that is particularly hard to find in right quantities these days is essential minerals. This means that, if you wish to lose weight, one of your more important targets should be to get a good natural mineral supplement. Here is some information on why your body is going to need minerals from mineral supplements to lose weight and remain healthy.

1. Minerals are a major part of hormone production and management in the human body. This means that the minerals that you will draw from your natural supplements and balanced diet would help you deal with a wide range of hormonal problems. For example, the right type and quantity of minerals can reduce the intensity of the symptoms of menopause in women. This means that the whole menopause period goes by in a much smoother manner. Moreover, as minerals also help a person deal with emotional problems, a woman suffers from minimal mood swings and emotional outbursts.

In addition to this, natural mineral supplements would allow a person to have a healthy thyroid gland, which means that the hormonal balance of the body is maintained consistently.

2. It is a well-known fact that the immune system and the bone structure of obese people are weak. A body cannot remain sturdy for long with this kind of weakness. Therefore, you need to shore up both these systems. Minerals are important components for both these systems because they strengthen the immune system of the body while simultaneously making the bone structure stronger.

3. Finally, natural mineral supplements can also help the digestive system of the body because minerals are known to make the digestive system healthy. This would, in turn, result in the body being more energetic and resistant to fatigue. It is also worth mentioning that natural mineral supplements can help the blood sugar levels of the body through facilitating the digestive and circulatory systems.

While there may be many lab synthesized mineral supplements in the market, it is crucial that you go for natural mineral supplements because your body would recognize bio-available minerals more easily.

Scott C Brunne invites you to enjoy your Ultimate Lose Weight Program for Life, using only these Natural Nutritional Products.

View the original article here

Obesity In America - How Did We Get Here And What Can Be Done About It?

Oddly enough, several weeks ago, weight loss and health issues were not much of a concern to me. Granted, I was aware that I had put on some extra pounds over the years, but not to the point of being overly concerned. I had been to my family doctor earlier this year, and happily enough, she had told me that I was in "great shape". Needless to say, it left me feeling pretty good about my current physical condition, and rather complacent to trying to improve my health.

That being said, we as Americans are in some of the worse shape of any people on this planet. Statistically, 1 in 3 people in America are obese, that is over 33% of us, and that isn't including those who are just over weight. This is not only an adult issue either, this is affecting our children as well. In the history of our existence, we are the heaviest we have ever been.

You have to ask yourself, "how has this happened"? Seriously, we were once, one of the wealthiest and most powerful countries on this planet. You would think, we would have used this wealth and power to educate and intervene long before this epidemic ever even started.

Why is being over weight such a problem, you ask? Before we go into the internal physical health issues, lets take a look at the basic external issues. First of all, it is very unattractive, for the most part, the heavier one gets, the less attractive they become, and not just to others, but to themselves as well. This can certainly lead to a life of loneliness and isolation, which can have a major effect on mental health. It is all connected, so physical health issues are soon to follow.

Physical health issues are not limited to, but can include, heart disease, pulmonary issues, diabetes, and skin disorders, just to mention a few. These issues are no laughing matter, one or more of them, if not handled properly and more importantly reversed, can lead to untimely and premature deaths. Obviously this will have a huge impact on the individual who is directly going through this, but it also has serious effects on their family and friends.

More often than not, the basic cause for this growing epidemic boils simply enough down to choices. Every day, we all make the choice of what we are going to put into our bodies, via our mouth. Unfortunately, fast food has become the most common choice for a large number of Americans. Not only are you getting far to many calories from this bad decision food, but then you are washing it down with gallons of soda, (sugar, sugar, sugar). As if this isn't bad enough three times a day, then there are multiple sodas consumed though out the day, jet adding more unnecessary calories that you body just can't process and burn off in a fast enough manner.

For those who do not eat "drive in" fast food daily, they are still eating fast food at home, such as "tv dinners" and processed and refined items. The old "heat em up, eat em ups" found in the frozen section of the local grocery store. If you pay attention, some are better than others, but for the most part, you may as well go to the "drive through" because you are basically putting the same junk in your body as you would be getting, had you just gone to the "drive through". The end result is more and more fat building up, and unless something is done to change this cycle, it will more than likely not end until that person is dead.

The bottom line is, if you want to take your health back, get off all of the lousy prescriptions drugs, you need to start treating your body like the temple it should be. The only way to do this is to cut out all the processed and refined foods. Go to an all natural diet, fresh fruits and vegetables are by far the best disease fighters. Nuts and berries are also great food choices in fighting obesity and disease. Getting a little more exercise isn't a bad choice either.

It comes down to choices, and you can choose to stay on the path you are on and continue to be unhappy with your weight and run the risk of serious illness, or you can chose to change it all right now, this very day. I did a food experiment, and at first I really didn't have any particular goal, but as I started to drop pounds, I decided my goal would be to lose 20 pounds. I wanted to do this without exercising, just changing my diet. The reason for not exercising was I wanted to prove it could be done this way, because a large number of Americans are far to lazy to exercise, mostly because they are over weight and it is far to much effort for them. By doing it the way I did it, I'm hoping it will motivate at least one over weight person to at least give it a shot, even if just for a few weeks. If you don't see results, then by all means, go back to your own ways, and let fate play out as it should.

It took me 5 weeks and 4 days to achieve my goal. I eliminated all meat from my diet, cut way back on my dairy products and ate mostly fruits and vegetables, and for the most part ate them raw. I found the best way to eat raw vegetables was by juicing them, so I bought a juicer. I even went to the point of doing a 10 day juice fast in order to detox my body from all the garbage that had built up over the past 40 plus years. Be eliminating meat, refined sugars and processed foods, my grocery bill also went down as my weight was dropping too. In short, I was double dipping on the positive side of things.

Why not give this a try yourself? What do you have to lose, besides a lot of weight, prescriptions drugs and a very negative outlook on your life? All the medicine you need is growing in a garden in someones backyard, why not make that your backyard?

If you have any desire to learn any more about this amazing journey I went on, you can read all about my food experiment, how I got started on it and see the see the charted results. Click here to learn more.

View the original article here

Overcome Obesity - An Epidemic Explained

Obesity is a risk factor for so many serious health problems that it has been declared a chronic disease in its own right. In the United States, more than 75% percent of obese people suffer at least one other major health problem, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, arthritis, some cancers, respiratory problems, or other difficulties. But despite this toll, the ranks of the dangerously overweight have gone up by 50 percent in the past 20 years.

Experts say that there's more obesity partly because most people exercise infrequently, and labor-saving devices and entertainment such as computers and television have helped make us increasingly sedentary. We're also eating more packaged, processed, and fast foods that are high in fat and calories. One sign of this is a trend toward "colossal cuisine," with portion sizes for many foods, notably hamburgers and sodas, often double or more what was typical two decades ago. Ironically, some studies suggest that Americans are including less fat in their diets. Some experts say that this is small consolation because we're eating much more of everything, so the absolute amount of fat consumed is still going up.

Obesity is a complex disorder with a combination of causes. One theory suggests that your body determines and works to maintain a set point for weight that makes any effort to lose and maintain weight difficult. Thus, while obesity in Americans is caused largely by what and how we eat, it is also governed to some degree by genetics, by an intricate system of chemical signals that tell the body when it's hungry and when it's not, and by social or psychological factors.

Some people assume that obesity is all due to genetics and other uncontrollable factors. Genetics plays a role, but there's a great deal you can do to work toward a healthier weight. In fact, experts say that the pounds you lose first have the greatest impact on improving overall health. It's wise to start by taking small steps and building on success with these strategies:

Balance Calories--Crash diets make the body think it's starving, so it actually conserves calories. You must eat, but what? Experts say it's important to get a healthy balance of foods: The bulk of your daily calories (about 60 percent) should come from complex carbohydrates such as whole-wheat pasta, potatoes, and brown rice. Fat should account for no more than 30 percent of the diet.

Control Portions--How much you eat is just as important as what you eat. As a rule, aim for small portions of many different foods; studies find that variety will help make you feel satisfied more quickly, especially if you're eating healthy vegetables. Note that the USDA Food Guide Pyramid's suggestions for serving sizes in a healthy, balanced diet tend to be quite small: a single slice of bread, for example, or 1/2 cup of raw or cooked vegetables. Keep in mind that contrary to what you may have been told as a child, you really don't have to eat everything on your plate.

Dine Out Wisely--When eating out, order an appetizer as your entree: Often, appetizer fare is portioned large enough to make a decent meal. If you do order off the main menu, share dishes to avoid eating more than half. Order dishes that combine ingredients such as cut-up meat with a variety of vegetables, and resist the temptation to order lots of different dishes--too much sampling may lead to overeating. Be sure to ask for a pitcher of water on the table: Studies have found that the "I'm thirsty" signal that the brain sends out is often mistaken for "I'm hungry."

Graze--Eating several small meals or snacks throughout the day instead of "three square" can help you keep hunger at bay. At work, home, or when traveling, keep portions of baby carrots, berries, raisins, graham or animal crackers, and other healthful treats within easy reach.

Respectfully submitted by Idaline Hall. For more useful insider weight loss tips you might find informative, visit: http://weightlossthatfits.com/

View the original article here

Treatment For a Bloated Stomach

For those of us who suffer from a stomach bloating, the two things we need to ask ourselves is what is the actual cause of a bloated stomach and then, what is a good treatment for a bloated stomach. Once we have answered the first, we can address the second. Over the last decade I have spends countless hours searching for a cure to what ailed me. While I wasn't specifically looking for a treatment for a bloated stomach as there were other things causing me more discomfort, in finding a cure for me, my bloated stomach was no longer an issue, and here's why.

The cause of having a bloated stomach is the release of hydrogen gas into your digestive track by micro bacteria (yeasts and Candida). In effect, what you are actually experiencing is a bloated intestinal track as it fills with gas. The gaseous hydrogen often works its way to your stomach and can then continue heading up causing you to burp. So now that we know that the actual cause of your bloated stomach is the yeast and Candida living in your gut lets focus on a treatment for a bloated stomach!

In a healthy individual, the intestines are managed by a ratio of 80% beneficial bacteria and 20% none beneficial. This ratio, however, in over 70% of the population is completely reversed causing all sorts of symptoms such as an uncomfortable bloated stomach. So what is the treatment for a bloated stomach? Eliminate the yeast and Candida, promote the healthy growth of the good bacteria and restore the balance of the ratio in your gut!

Step 1: Find a good yeast cleanse program. Be careful, many of the programs out there don't really focus on the actual problem but rather simply promote a healthy lifestyle change. While there is nothing wrong this, we want a program that truly addresses the act of killing the yeast and promotes a healthy lifestyle. Programs will include information on a good pro biotic and all the yeast killing supper foods such as Kale, Curry, Pau De Arco Tea and Oil of Oregano. Add these foods to your diet now as a fast treatment for a bloated stomach while you finish killing all the yeast!

Step 2: Yeast live on simple sugars! This includes candy, soda, breads, pasta, white rice, pastries and all of those other tasty foods we love so much. Give your body a rest from these foods for a month. Eat a diet of lots of veggies and healthy meats. Vegetables alkalize your body, creating a friendly environment for the good bacteria we want to promote and is one the best treatments for a bloated stomach!

For information on the candida yeast cleanse that I use every season to clean out and regulate my body visit my blog and get a FREE 60 Day Money back guarantee! And by the way, I lost 23 pounds the first time I used it!

http://thecandidayeastcure.blogspot.com/

View the original article here

Are Obesity and High Cholesterol Linked?

Medically speaking, the health condition in which excessive fat accumulation on the body occurs that has negative effects on health is known as obesity. Millions of men, women and children suffer from this health condition all over the world. This condition is growing rapidly as more and more people are drawn towards a poor lifestyle that includes consumption of fatty food, less exercise and even lesser rest. All these factors lead to obesity, which in turns leads to many health conditions that take a toll on one's health. An individual is considered obese if his/her bodyweight is at least 20% higher than it should be. Also, the body mass index (BMI) should be above 30.

Obesity leads to many health problems and also causes millions of people to die each year. Although these people do not die of obesity as a direct cause, they die because of health conditions that are associated with obesity. Obesity leads to health conditions and diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, high cholesterol, heart attacks, and various types of cancers. If you are thinking that are obesity and high cholesterol linked, you know the answer now. Yes, obesity is directly related to high cholesterol. If you are suspect obesity in you or anyone around you, seek treatment so that you can live a happy and healthy life again.

Obesity treatment

This health condition can be treated in many ways and the treatment depends on the severity of it. You can opt for a surgery, use medications or try exercise. The best form of treatment is a healthy combination of diet, exercise and rest. This includes some form of lifestyle alteration as well. You can start with enhancing your eating habits. Add more healthy foods such as green vegetables, pulses, whole meal bread, and pasta. Ensure that you reduce your intake of fat as much as possible. Include fruits in your daily diet and do not consume packed foods. Fresh food is the best.

Exercising regularly is also a great way to deal with obesity. If you do not like the idea of exercising, start with light jogging and morning walks. Then, you can move on to light exercises such as cardio and aerobics. If you exercise regularly, you will not only be able to lose weight but also help you cope with stress and anxiety. You can combine a healthy diet and exercise with the use of weight loss pills. Xenical is a weight loss pill that has helped millions of people lose weight the easy way. Many people who have thought are obesity and high cholesterol linked, have used this pill to tackle both the problems.

What is Xenical?

This medication is known as Orlistat in medical terms and it is used for the treatment of obesity. It is an FDA approved oral prescription medication. Xenical prevents the body from absorbing dietary fat. Almost one-third of the dietary fat that is eaten is not digested. This drug works best if you use it with a good exercise schedule and a healthy diet.

Webmaster associated with online clinic "HealthExpress" this site provides various information on Xenical (Orlistat) and helps people in curing Obesity, resources are available on site HealthExpress.co.uk.

View the original article here

Obesity Risks Increase Over Time

Here's a worrying finding for those of us carrying too much weight. When it comes to weight gain, calculation of obesity risks to your health has focused on the severity of the weight gain on its own, but paid no attention to how long that weight had been hanging around.

Some compelling new research finds that every added decade you are obese doubles your death risk. Just like pack years for a smoker, recent research calls for the "obese year" to become part of any assessment of health for a patient. Researchers believe that the health toll of all those extra pounds is far higher than we know because estimates haven't factored in the duration of a person's obesity. Today the obesity epidemic has gotten tremendous press. Sadly, there are all too many of us who fall on the high side of the BMI scale... over 25.0.

In the U.S., a full third of adults belong to the obese category. In the U.K. the number is a quarter of adults - still significant to be sure and predicted to rise. What's worse, if the current trends continue, obesity will become a prominent health problem for more and more of us the world over. Work by the researchers found that the duration of obesity has a direct impact on death risk. And this is not related to other risk factors such as age or just how heavy a person is. The team examined the health of over 5,000 patients who lived in the U.S. who were enrolled in a study that monitored their health on a two yearly basis over many decades.

Among the subjects, death risk rose by 7% for each added two years of obesity. Being at this weight for 15 to 25 years doubled the death risk, compared to those study participants who had never been obese. Death risk tripled for those classed as obese for longer than 25 years. Now you see why researchers are so concerned... the risk of death for those currently obese might be so much higher than any other time in history. What's more, people are falling into the obese categories at younger ages, which means that kids today might actually expect a shorter lifespan than past generations. Obesity often starts up to 10 years earlier compared to past records. The team of researchers suggests that the number of years you've been obese needs to be considered when doing an assessment of overall health.

If your doctor can tell you the consequences of your extra weight, in terms of how shortened your life will be, this might be enough to get some people on the road to weight loss. But scare tactics don't work for everyone. If they did, losing weight wouldn't be such a struggle for so many. The truth is, losing weight isn't quick... or easy... but it can be done by making small, manageable changes and sticking with them over the long haul. It's also important to understand that losing weight, at any age, will do wonders to help reverse obesity risks, extend your lifespan and leave you with less risk of dangerous, life altering disease.

FREE Bonus Secret Health Reports - For a limited time you can grab 5 FREE essential health reports from the Daily Health Bulletin. Click through now to discover more on obesity risks and steps you can take to reduce or prevent them.

View the original article here

Obesity Deaths and Related Illness

Obesity Deaths and Related Illness are at epidemic levels in the U.S.

The Mayo Clinic track trends in obesity and states that they are seeing an increase in Obesity Deaths and Related Illness.

Latest estimates are 130 million adults are obese and estimates are as high as 15% of all children are obese. Let's get a clear understanding of the term obese: Wikipedia defines obesity as a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have an adverse effect on health, leading to reduced life expectancy.

Obesity Deaths and Related Illnesses are:
High Blood Pressure, hypertensionHigh Blood CholesterolDiabetes Type 2Congestive heart failureHeart diseaseStrokeGall stonesGoutOsteoarthritisSome types of cancerComplications of pregnancyPoor female reproductive healthBladder Control ProblemsPsychological disorders

The Mayo Clinic recommends many changes to combat obesity deaths and related Illness. As do most other professional medical websites, the number one recommendation is to start making healthy changes in your diet to eliminate obesity deaths and related Illness. Most obese people have a long history of overeating and making poor food choices. Now there is a more recognized way of eating to take off weight than ever before. Many companies are offering meal replacement products and supplements that are very low in calories but deliver all the necessary nutrition in a meal replacement product.

The challenge is deciding which one will work for you. At age 62, after years of eating the wrong type food in large quantities, I had a body mass index, often listed as BMI, of 34 and fell into the obesity category. For me it meant I had to find something that was easy to prepare, mobile for eating on the go, tasted good and finally allowed me to still enjoy most of the foods I enjoy.

I found the best program for me was a meal replacement shake. The company is traded on the New York Stock Exchange and has grown to a multi-billion dollar annual sales company with a good record of success with their clients. The company offers clinically tested products that are reasonably priced. With this program I was able to drop my BMI to 25, lost 50 pounds and have kept it off for over 6 years and still counting. I spend about $6.00 per day for food from on this program, which is less than I spent at the fast food restaurants I ate at in the past. I have a home cooked or cooked to order out meal each day and now enjoy my old favorites and new foods like, salads, seafood, vegetables and fruits.

I do not get hungry and have more energy than I have had for the last 30 years. With all the renewed energy I decided there is a business opportunity. I had way too much energy to retire. I investigated the business side of Wellness Coaching and have enjoyed substantial income for the last 6 years while providing a needed service to my family, friends and neighbors. Partner with me by clicking here. You can get more info on Obesity Deaths and Related Illness by visiting the business opportunity site.

http://www.leavittmcbride.com/ is a source for information on weight management, income opportunities general topic discussions

View the original article here

Manage Obesity With A Good Diet and Moderate Exercise, Or With Surgery - It's Your Choice

The management of obesity follows a predictable and logical sequence of approaches starting with the simplest approach, and going on to the most complex. The initial approach to weight loss will always be diet and exercise. A plan to reduce calories (smaller portions of "normal" foods) balanced with a modest exercise program is step number one.

In some cases this approach has been sincerely and consistently implemented but to no avail. You've done everything you can do and have still not lost the weight. What's next? Any other ideas? Well,...yes. You may be a candidate for surgery to reverse the trend of weight gain.

If your doctor believes that your excess weight is such that it cannot be controlled by conventional methods, he may suggest that you are a candidate for weight-loss surgery. There are two approaches that he will likely discuss with you:

• "Banding": Laparoscopic banding is a technique in which the surgeon puts a band around a portion of your stomach in to reduce its size. You will "fill up" faster and will feel more satisfied with your food intake.

• Gastric bypass surgery re-routes the path that food takes from the stomach to the small intestine. Much of the food that is eaten is not absorbed.

Both types of surgeries cause weight loss. If the stomach cannot hold more than a small portion of food, or, if the food bypasses the stomach and goes directly to the intestine, extra calories cannot be absorbed. However, these serious procedures are not to be considered lightly.

Following either type of surgery, an individual is likely to experience nausea, vomiting, and complications such as bleeding or ulcers. The large weight loss will also leave one with loose, excessive skin which often requires additional surgery for its removal.

An inherent problem following surgery is that the nutrients absorbed are so limited that one will require large amounts of vitamin and mineral supplementation. There is no allowance for extra "treats" because the stomach space is small and every bit of it is needed for healthful foods.

The decision to have surgery is serious. Hopefully a competent surgeon will not even consider you for the procedure unless you have a well-documented history showing that you have really tried to lose weight and have been unable to do so by usual means or that your life is endangered by your weight.

For the vast majority of folks a weight loss program and modest exercise is adequate.

Look at this "eating plan" before considering surgery.

By Sue Bristol, R.N.

There is only one correct way to eat.

Here's the "Secret Weight Loss Diet" that virtually EVERY successful dieter uses
(Whether or not they are even aware of it!)

"Click Here" to get your Free e-book, which will give you the "Weight Loss Secret"
http://www.how-to-loseweight-101.com/index1.html

View the original article here

Is Obesity an Epidemic?

Ok let's get down to the nitty gritties of weight loss. Let's start the very beginning, the very best place to start!: as Julie Andrews would sing.

Did you know that obesity is THE greatest public health problem of the 21st century. The GREATEST! It causes any number of long term medical conditions, an inability to work so therefore increasing poverty and increases the burden on taxpayers to pay for those who are unable to pay for themselves. It also reduces the length of one's life by an average amount of nine years. Nine years! That is a whole lot of time that could be spent enjoying life with family, friends, seeing the world etc. For parents particularly, this is also affecting our children. Surely we need to take control of this aspect of our lives.

Now I recognize that some of you readers have a Body Mass Index of 19.5 - 24.5kg/m2 and so you may look on with self-righteous pity at the rest of us poor folk that struggle with our weight. I suppose you have a right to that (not that I have to like you for it), unless you are one of those that can eat whatever you like and not see any change in your weight, If you are - beware! It may yet catch up with you.

How common is it?

An organisation called Worldwatch did some research recently and found that more than 1.9 billion people worldwide were overweight. They also figured out that about 75% of all adults in rich countries (like ours!) were overweight or obese. I have to repeat that for emphasis - SEVENTY FIVE PERCENT! 3 out of every 4 people! That is astounding really. We defeat other epidemics like smallpox and then gain new ones, it would seem.

In the UK, the percentage of women who are obese has more than doubled in the time from 1980 - 1997. In 2009, almost a quarter of all adults in the UK were obese and a third of all women were overweight. 44% of men were overweight as well so they seem to even be worse off than we women are. I mean, being male is considered a risk factor in some diseases such as heart disease without adding an excess of fat into the mix.

What of our children? 30% of children aged between two and fifteen are overweight. 10% of those in reception year were obese! That is terrible! What chance do these littles have if they are already OBESE! Gosh we parents really need to pay a lot more attention to what we are exposing our little ones too. I definitely need this reminder so I KNOW I am far from perfect.

In the US, 33.8% of adults were obese in 2008 while a whopping 68% fell within the overweight and obese category! It is shocking really. The better off a nation is, the worse their eating habits tend to be.

Just to finish off on a positive note, this does not have to carry on, we are all masters of our ship and we can take the weight management steps required to change the path of humanity. Remember, every little helps!

So what is causing this epidemic of fat? How can we defeat it? Is it really as simple as 'eat less, do more'? What do you all think?

Nonny Knight is passionate about inspiring women.

A pharmacist, business owner and property investor, she shares her journey at http://mum-in-business.com/.

View the original article here

Obesity - My Story

Please allow me to share my near death experience of being morbidly obese with you. And although I took control of my life and turned my obesity around, I still shortened my life expectancy considerably, due to an enlarged heart, caused by extremely high blood pressure.

I am writing this article with the hope of touching other obese people and maybe inspire them to also change their lifestyle.

To those, fortunate enough, not suffering from obesity, for better understanding of what obese people are going through. It is not all their fault as there is a number of factors leading to obesity.

My mother was a very lazy to cook, even though she was very accomplished in the kitchen. The result was that as far as I can remember there was always fast food, cookies, candy and sodas. The only proper healthy home cook food was once a month when we visited my grandparents.

Needless to say that from my days as a toddler I was always bigger than other children, this meant I was always receiving negative remarks from my peers. People made fun of me and I had to listen to a lot of snide remarks and ridicule.

My weight problems also meant that I could not excel in any type of sport and was always on the sideline, which meant I was not very popular with the opposite sex.

My unhealthy diet lead to acne which obviously made me very shy. This caused me to withdrawn from society and to spend most of my childhood in my room, with easy access to the wrong types of things to eat.

My solitary lifestyle caused me to withdraw and I started to suffer from depression. The only comfort, more food!

From my teens I contracted diabetes which forced me to a sentence of insulin injections.

My heart could not take the strain of having to work extra hard, resulting in me having a heart attack at the age of 22. At the time of my heart attack I weighed 275 pounds.

In hindsight this was a blessing in disguise as it really shocked me into seriously taking stock of my life, and forced me into making decisions to change my lifestyle, if I do not want to end in a grave at a very early age.

A big mistake was thinking I can fix the problem by myself, with a series of diets. These diets always seem to help initially, however I always regained the lost weight. I cannot even try to calculate how much money I spend on all types of pills, tables, diet shakes etc.

I also suffered from Osteoarthritis on my weight-bearing joints. I suffered from a lot of pain caused by inflammation, plus severe back pain due to bones and muscles of the back being constantly strained. This also meant decreased mobility.

I also suffered from sleep apnea and respiratory problems because of all the fat which accumulated around my neck, constricting my airways.

The constant depression and the yo-yo weight gain and loss made me decide to find help. I realized I just could not do it on my own.

Fortunately I found a fantastic bariatric surgeon; he recommended and patiently explained the various surgical options available. The more I consulted with him I started to trust him, and I realized the only way out was surgery.

The biggest change in my lifestyle came after the surgery. The most obvious change was my diet and the realization that this is a lifelong commitment. I decided to follow my surgeon's instructions and guidelines to the letter, as this was my last chance.

Crucial was my commitment and dedication to also regular physical exercises. The easiest for me was swimming as this exercise placed the least strain on my limbs. I also got in the habit of walking at least thirty minutes three times a week.

For the first time in my life I started eating lots of fruit and vegetables and to my surprise I am enjoying it. To reduce my dependence on my prescribed medicines I also started taking advice from an experienced herbalist who is guiding me in the use of herbs for blood pressure stabilizers.

This is my story, I am very proud of having made the decision to have the surgery, to follow the guidelines from my surgeon and herbalist; I am feeling full of life and have much more energy. I am also much more mobile and sleep a lot better. I even found a new job, one where I do not have to sit behind a desk for long periods of time.

I hope I will have inspired even one person to also make a change.

This is my story, I am very proud of having made the decision to have the surgery, to follow the guidelines from my surgeon and herbalist; I am feeling full of life and have much more energy. I am also much more mobile and sleep a lot better. I even found a new job, one where I do not have to sit behind a desk for long periods of time.

I hope I will have inspired even one person to also make a change.

http://www.herbsforbloodpressure.com/

View the original article here

One Of The Risks Of Obesity And Effects Of Lack Of Exercise Is Chronic Pain

This probably comes as no surprise. That the risks of obesity and effects of lack of exercise can lead to the onset of chronic pain. A recent study has found that those who partake in some form of exercise for at least an hour each week have a reduced risk of pain in the back, neck and shoulders.

This finding supports the idea that obesity and being inactive might just play a significant part in the chances of chronic pain occurring in these parts of the body.

The researchers followed over 30,000 adult subjects who were taking part in a larger health study. Recordings were made of subjects' body mass index at the study outset, and the participants were also questioned about how long they exercised. They were then tracked for 11 years.

The subjects were divided into four groups based on how active they were, and four groups according to their BMI measurement alone.

The research team also examined how many of the subjects in each group developed chronic pain in the neck, shoulder or lower back. Overall, one of every ten subjects developed pain in the lower back; nearly 20% had pain in either the shoulder or neck.

After accounting for age, BMI, smoking status and the type of job (manual labor vs desk job) they had, the researchers discovered that men who exercised for 2 or more hours a week at the beginning of the research had a 25% lower risk of suffering from lower back pain; 20% less likely to experience shoulder and/or neck pain when compared to those who were not active at all.

For women who worked out for that same 2 hours each week, the numbers were smaller but still impressive - exercisers had an 8% reduced risk of lower back pain compared to those who were inactive; 9% less likely to experience neck and/or shoulder pain than their sedentary counterparts.

No surprise that weight also was a factor in chronic pain. Obese men had a 21% more risk of lower back pain compared to normal weight men; 22% more likely to have neck and/or shoulder pain than those of normal weight.

For women, obesity made it 21% more likely you'd had chronic pain in the lower back; 19% more likely to have neck and/or shoulder pain than women at a normal weight.

Remember that the study wasn't designed to prove cause and effect. No one is saying that not doing exercise causes chronic pain, or that frequent workouts would keep it at bay. Those with chronic pain are likely dealing with a complex condition that researchers have yet to understand.

These results do suggest that even moderate exercise, an hour or more each week, can compensate for the effects of being too heavy on chronic pain risk in the future. Anyone who now struggles with this type of unrelenting pain will tell you that preventing it is far better than living with it.

Pain in the lower back, neck and shoulders impacts quality of life and need for health care resources, it takes days away from work and your family and it takes a silent, steady toll on your mind and your will.

If you've been inactive for a bit, talk with your doctor before starting any exercise program to avoid any side effects of lack of exercise like pulled muscles or strained tendons. Once you get the okay, you'll be amazed at the many benefits that will come with just a little more activity as you lower your risks of obesity.

FREE Bonus Secret Health Reports - For a limited time you can grab 5 FREE essential health reports from the Daily Health Bulletin. Click through now to discover more how the risks of obesity impact on your overall health and wellbeing.

View the original article here

How To Diet: Did You Know That Some Drugs Will Combat Obesity? Do You Know If They Are Safe?

There are some cases of obesity that appear to require the use of medications in order for the individual to experience weight loss. Still, these drugs are not eagerly dispensed by most physicians because the pharmaceutical management of weight is an evolving science. Perfection and predictability have not yet been achieved.

In fact, some of the "weight loss" drugs have even led to addiction.

The vast majority of drugs that have historically been used for the treatment of obesity have been removed from the marketplace because time and evidence uncovered risks that out-weighed any potential benefit. Significant adverse effects have included heart disease, hypertension, consequential alterations of mood, and even death.

Many of us remember the debacle in the mid-90's with a drug combination called "Fenphen" which took the American marketplace by storm. Within a mere two years after its introduction, it was shown that this drug caused problems with heart valves after as little as one month of treatment. Risky surgery was required in order to correct the problem.

As a result, most drugs currently prescribed are for short-term use only which of course limits their use in the management of obesity. Even so, important studies have indicated that even small weight loss (achieved by any means) significantly reduces the incidence and severity of chronic diseases resulting from obesity.

There are two major classifications of drugs that are currently used in the treatment of obesity: appetite suppressants and lipase (fat) inhibitors. The appetite suppressants subdue the appetite and thus aid the individual in resisting the temptation to overeat. Lipase inhibitors block enzymes that are needed to digest fat. (An obvious downside to the lipase inhibitors is frequent and often urgent passage of "oily" stools.)

Other types of drugs which may be dispensed to aid in weight loss are those which are actually designed for another purpose but have a collateral effect of weight loss. These would include antidepressants, anti-seizure agents, and medications used to treat diabetes. Their use for the treatment of obesity has not been sanctioned by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration).

Why in the world would you even consider taking an un-proven (and potentially risky) drug; when there is an absolutely safe, and correct way to lose weight naturally? You didn't gain those 10, 25, 50, 100, or more pounds overnight. Why would you believe that an un-tested drug will solve your problem in a day, or two? The fact is: some person, or company, is not telling you the whole truth; so they can take your money!

There are clearly pros and cons regarding the use of drugs in the treatment of obesity. Drugs are only advisable for cases of extreme obesity and those which have not been responsive to dietary and exercise approaches. So, if you haven't tried the correct diet, and exercise plan, AND, If your doctor agrees that you are a suitable candidate, the decision will rightly be left up to you. Consider the options carefully and best of luck to you in your decision.

Drugs and obesity! A risky proposition!

by Sue Bristol, R.N.

Read my E-book and you will forget about drugs

Here's the "Secret Weight Loss Diet" that virtually EVERY successful dieter uses
(Whether or not they are even aware of it!)

"Click Here" to get your Free e-book, which will give you the "Weight Loss Secret" Kids and parents needn't be obese.
http://www.how-to-loseweight-101.com/index1.html

View the original article here

Jumping Through Hoops For Lap Band Surgery

Having lap band surgery is actually a serious decision that shouldn't be made without consulting a specialist. In a perfect world the only thing that would factor into that decision is whether you are a good candidate for the surgery. Then again, in almost all cases the decision is much more complicated. Factors like emotional stability, financial situation, and insurance coverage will undoubtedly play a huge role in your ability to get the lap band surgery.

Let's take a look at the first of these other factors, emotional stability. There is a reason you are obese, and without exception it often has something to do with an emotional need that you cover up by eating. That's why all renowned programs will include some sort of mental evaluation as part of the program. For those that take this seriously, it's an opportunity to actually deal with the issues that cause you to over eat. For those that see this part of the process as a hassle, you will probably not take it seriously and you will be much more likely to regain your weight after the lap band surgery.

Then there's your financial situation to consider. The reality is that lap band surgery costs are pretty high. Most people say they'd gladly pay whatever it takes to be skinny. Unfortunately, in this case it's over 25 thousand if you don't have insurance. So unless you happen to be rich, don't expect to walk in and pay cash for the procedure. Lots of folks have went bankrupt from the medical costs associated with the lap band surgery. Have a plan and don't be one of them.

If that wasn't enough to think about, insurance coverage is something else to consider. Since most people can't pay for the surgery by themselves, having insurance do it is the only option. If only it were that simple. Insurance companies make you jump through hoops in order to have the lap band surgery. You have to have a certain BMI, you have to have multiple medical problems associated to your weight, and even if all that passes their test, you have to go on a medically supervised diet before you can get the surgery done. Honestly, it's amazing anyone makes it through the process. You can be confident though if you are one of the lucky ones, it's typically well worth it.

If you can handle the six to eight months it typically takes to get approved for surgery, you can expect a 50-80% reduction in excess weight. For most morbidly obese people that is over 100 pounds. In addition to just looking and feeling a heck of a lot better, you will also typically get healthier. Things like sleep apnea, diabetes, high blood pressure, and other diseases related to obesity tend to disappear after losing that much weight.

The point here is a simple one. If you can put up with all the nonsense, and jump through all the necessary hoops, the reward is huge. You will be glad you had the lap band surgery and it will change your life.

If you've every considered getting lap band surgery you need to take a look at this site on lap band surgery costs. It's an incredible resource for anyone who is overweight and wanting to figure out real solutions for their lifelong weight problem.

View the original article here

Bariatric Surgery? Learn Some Good Points, As Well As Some Risky Aspects - Learn How To Diet First

Bariatric (weight loss) surgery is an approach to weight loss typically reserved for those individuals who have a BMI of more than 40 (morbidly obese) and who have been unable to lose weight despite sincere and prolonged efforts. Gastric (stomach) bypass may also be used for those individuals whose weight is threatening health and life.

This kind of surgery will indeed cause weight reduction. However, it also changes the way one eats because the natural pathway of food has been disrupted. Eating habits will need to be changed because the size of the stomach has been greatly reduced and you will have a feeling of "being full" after consuming much smaller amounts of food.

Members of the surgical team will provide you will information and guidance about the kinds of foods you can...and cannot...eat. Following are some general guidelines as to what you may expect.

Immediately following the surgery your diet will consist of 'pureed' foods (liquid) for two or three weeks and then soft foods will gradually be added according to your tolerance. Eventually you will be eating regular foods again but in much smaller amounts. You will eventually be able to eat larger amounts of food at one sitting because usable stomach pouch will stretch a bit. However, you must not attempt to artificially stretch the pouch by eating excessively. Your body is no longer designed to process large amounts of food.

You will need to eat more slowly than you most likely have in the past. You will need to puree your food with your teeth and the chemicals (enzymes) that are naturally present in the inside of your mouth before you swallow. This will take some practice but you've been through more difficult challenges than learning to chew slower. You can do it.

Remember this tiny pouch that is now your stomach, when stretched, will hold less than one-fourth of its previous capacity. If you swallow food that has not been thoroughly chewed, you may cause a blockage of the opening between your stomach and the intestine. This will cause nausea, vomiting, or a sensation of deep pain under your breastbone. Therefore:

1. Chew your food until it is smooth.

2. Eat slowly. Allow 20-30 minutes for each meal.

3. Eat small amounts.

4. Stop eating at the first feeling of fullness.

5. Keep a food journal and note which foods give you distress.

6. Increase your daily intake of fluids but do not drink anything during your meal or for thirty minutes after your food. (Mealtime is to fill the small stomach pouch with food...not liquid.)

7. When you drink liquids, don't gulp. Sip slowly over a period of time.

8. Follow the diet your surgeon has outlines for you. This will ensure that your intake is nutritious.

The decision to have gastric bypass surgery is a big one. Follow your post-operative instructions to the letter and call your surgeon whenever you have problems.

If you want to avoid this unsavory scenario, Look at this "eating plan" 1st.

By Sue Bristol, R.N.

There is only one correct way to eat.

Here's the "Secret Weight Loss Diet" that virtually EVERY successful dieter uses
(Whether or not they are even aware of it!)

"Click Here" to get your Free e-book, which will give you the "Weight Loss Secret"
http://www.how-to-loseweight-101.com/index1.html

View the original article here

How To Lose Weight: Are You Obese Or Overweight? What's The Difference? Learn How To Diet

The basic difference between obesity and overweight is one of degree. Both apply to a condition of carrying more weight than is considered than is conducive to good health.

Both conditions result from an imbalance between the number of calories eaten and the number of calories used up by means of normal body functions, and physical exercise. When a balance between calories in and out is achieved body weight will be normal.

You must learn proper nutrition, and what makes a diet the "correct diet", to protect your health. The correct diet includes portion control, as well as avoidance of added sugar; (of course there are other factors too).

There are a variety of factors that influence how quickly our bodies naturally burn calories. Genetics (what we inherit from our ancestors), eating the wrong kinds of food (high fat), and the kind of work we do, all play a part in achieving "balance". In uncommon instances illness or disease may play a part. For example, some kinds of kidney and heart disease as well as thyroid disorders may be responsible for weight gain...either actual increase of tissue, or by retaining fluid. See your doctor for any of these illnesses.

But, even without a predisposition to any of these problems, being overweight or obese will contribute to the development of many disorders, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, abnormal sleep patterns, arthritis and other joint conditions, and some cancers. Recent studies have shown that losing only five to ten percent of body weight can contribute to overall health and lower risk of becoming sick.

Body mass index (BMI) is a one measurement used to calculate body weight. You can calculate your BM by the following three steps:

Multiply your weight in pounds by 703

Divide the answer by your height in inches

Divide that answer by your height in inches again.

(This formula will not only determine the condition of your body weight, it will also sharpen your brain. If your brain is already sharp enough, you can ask the doctor or nurse to calculate it for you or you can find a BMI calculator online).

If your BMI is calculated between 25 and 25.9, you are overweight; if it is between 30 and 39.9 you are obese; if it is over 40 you are considered to be morbidly obese. There are exceptions to these rules. For example, athletes may have a high BMI because muscle tissue weigh more than fat. Please note: this BMI calculation does not apply to children...consult your physician if you believe your child is overweight.

The reason most adults are overweight is because we are all eating more food than is required for the maintenance of body and health. The extra calories are stored as fat.

Your BMI result is not a foolproof way to determine your state of health. However, it is a highly accurate tool for determining whether your weight is an issue that needs to be corrected.

You now have your BMI number. Now start the correct diet!

Diet without drugs or any pills, and protect your health. If you're serious, I'll help you.

By Sue Bristol, R.N.

My eBook will lead you through the way to make it work for you, and your obese child, or spouse. Here's the "Secret Weight Loss Diet" that virtually EVERY successful dieter uses. (Whether or not they are even aware of it!)

"Click Here" to get your Free e-book, which will give you the "Weight Loss Secret" Kids shouldn't be obese. http://www.how-to-loseweight-101.com/index1.html

View the original article here

Is Personality Type One Of The Causes For Weight Gain?

Here's a first of its kind look at personality and the causes for weight gain during adulthood. A research team has discovered that those who have certain identifiable personality traits are more likely to carry too much weight, or watch the scale go up and down in the unhealthy "yo-yo" pattern.

The researchers looked at data that had been compiled from a longitudinal study conducted over fifty years on just under 2,000 mostly healthy, highly educated subjects to see if there was an association with personality and weight.

Beyond being regularly weighed and measured during the study, participants were analysed on what are known as "big 5? personality traits.

These five are broad categories of traits including:

1) agreeableness,

2) conscientiousness,

3) extraversion,

4) openness and

5) neuroticism.

The categories are meant to cover a wide range between two extremes - in the real world most of us fall somewhere in the middle on all of these.

And while we all know it's natural to put on a bit of weight as we grow older the study found impulsive subjects had a higher risk of being overweight. Those who ranked in the highest 10% on impulsivity were 22 pounds (on average) heavier compared with those in the lowest 10%.

Earlier work has shown that impulsive people are more likely to indulge in binge eating and overconsumption of alcohol, and it may be that these behaviors, over a lifetime add up to weight gain.

Imagine the challenge that adds to making the hard life choices that lead to weight loss.

The thinking goes that people with this particular group of traits are more likely than others be seduced by temptation. It's harder for them to summon the discipline to stick to a healthy eating and exercise plan in the face of all of life's challenges and frustrations. For these personalities, weight management appears to be a most difficult challenge.

But impulsiveness isn't the only personality factor that might put you at risk for weight gain.

Risk takers, antagonistic, competitive, cynical and aggressive people also gained more weight according to the study findings. On the opposite end, conscientious people were found to be slimmer, and their weight didn't set off personality changes in adulthood.

The authors of the study are hoping the work helps to develop more tailored approaches to weight loss, that take personality factors into account. Perhaps group weight loss and support programs for extroverts, private sessions or other interventions tailored just to introverts are practical applications of the research. Anything that might help people manage their weight is a welcome addition to the approaches in use today.

Experts know that the link between personality types and weight gain is most certainly a complex one. There are likely both physiological and behavioral factors involved in the causes for weight gain over our lifetime, still the work gives an intriguing and first ever look at the effect personality might have on weight.

FREE Bonus Secret Health Reports - For a limited time you can grab 5 FREE essential health reports from the Daily Health Bulletin. Click through now to discover more about what's behind the causes for weight gain and how you can avoid them.

View the original article here

Obesity: Something to Chew Over

Many health fads have a very short shelf life. One of these was Fletcherism, a cult which was launched at the start of the twentieth century by an overweight American business man called Horace Fletcher. At the age of forty, Fletcher was turned down for a life insurance policy as a bad health risk because of his excessive girth. He was so stunned by this experience that he promptly quit his business and went in search of health. After numerous experiments, he finally hit on a fitness regime which he rather portentously called 'the science of head digestion.'

He freely admitted that he got this idea from William Gladstone, who served four terms as Britain's prime minister. Gladstone was noted for his exceptional vigour, a man who in his early eighties was still felling trees and who, at eight-five, thought nothing of moving 32,000 of his books by wheelbarrow to a community library a quarter of a mile from his home. The Grand Old Man of British politics claimed that he owed his vitality to his habit of thoroughly chewing every morsel of food he ate. This became such an obsession that he went over the top and trained his eight children to give every mouthful of food a minimum of thirty-two chews - a chew for every tooth. His argument was that, since the stomach has no teeth, unless a chunk of meat is broken down in the mouth it can't be properly mixed with the digestive enzymes found in the saliva and gastric juices. This has since been proved by trials which confirm that if a lump of meat is swallowed whole, only its outer layers will be digested after two hours in the stomach. On the other hand, if the bolus is first broken down into tiny slivers, most of its fibres will be processed during the two hour period.

Finding time for 'head digestion' also helps to preserve the teeth, since it stimulates the flow of saliva and so flushes away particles of food lodged around the teeth, which is one of the prime causes of dental decay. In addition, it eliminates the risk of 'café coronaries', the name given to the medical emergencies which occur when people choke on large portions of food. One minute they're happily bolting a chunk of steak, which may prove to be the size of a playing card, the next their struggling for their life, showing symptoms which in the panic are often mistaken for an acute heart attack. But today, the main reason for being a Fletcherist is to fight the flab. Countless studies have shown that overweight folk tend to eat more quickly than normal, giving their bodies no time to realise when they've had enough. It takes at least twenty minutes for food to be absorbed and messages transmitted to the brain's satiety centre. During this time a good trencherman can consume a thousand calories more than their need to satisfy their calorie requirements. So, anyone who wants to maintain an optimum body weight, and still enjoy the full range of gastronomic pleasures, should learn to eat more slowly, savouring each mouthful of food and chewing it until is almost reduced to a liquid consistency. Gobbling ruins our health and reduces our enjoyment. If we want to improve our digestion and preserve our youthful figures, we must learn to be gourmets rather than gluttons.

© Donald Norfolk 2011

(If you'd like to receive these weight reducing tips as soon as they're posted, please register your interest using the contact button on the right hand side of the tool bar on the home page of the Self Help Alliance - http://www.selfhelpalliance.co.uk.)

View the original article here

Children's Health - Steps to Prevent Childhood Obesity

So you eat out regularly and the children tag along as well. You spoil them with all the junk food they want. You think that you are a good parent because you give your children what they require.

You look at your children and realise that they are FAT! They don't do sport, hate exercise but love doing other less stressful thing. Obesity has never been a problem amongst children like it is today. Preventing childhood obesity is not as difficult as it may seem. It starts with you the parent. Open the fridge and see what you buy them. Look at how you feed them. Preventing childhood obesity starts with you! Change the eating habits of your children. Get them into an exercise routine. Yes that is right... Cut their access to social media. They are young and should be out running in the back yard. Not loafing around on chat sites, watching television, etc. Get involved in their lives and encourage them to play a sport. And I do not mean that they play baseball on their game console and your encouragement ends with you playing with them.

A healthy diet, good excercise and quality family time will prevent childhood obesity making an unhealthy appearance in your family. You do know that fat children develop breathing problems, heart problems (blood pressure either too high or too low) and they are tired most of the time.

Now is the time to really act and stop this from ruining the next generation.

Childhood obesity is a world-wide problem. The more junk food we consume the more unhealthy we become. And if it is okay for us to eat, then so it will be for our children. We even force them to finish their soda, because you paid for it and hate it when they waste food that you have paid for.

I have more helpful hints that you may find interesting and implement in your life. It will be beneficial for your whole family. Obesity is just as serious as some of the most dangerous diseases out there in the world. Be wise and act now. These words may sound like a infomercial, but I will say it over and over till I can say it no more.

Please visit my blog site, read through the information there. If you are like me and have fat child/ren, then I urge you to read blog and many others that I have found quite useful. Their links can be found on my site as well.

View the original article here

High Fructose Corn Syrup's Contribution to Obesity in the US

Over the last two decades, the obesity rate in the United States has risen at a steady rate. There are many contributing factors to why this is; from people not eating healthy, to people not exercising, to people having health issues; such as, hypothyroidism, is when the thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormone, and could cause weight gain. The CDC, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, has kept track of the obesity trend in the United States over the last 20 years, and found that the obesity rate in the United States has risen to well over 30 percent of the population. This trend is in line with the introduction of high fructose corn syrup and the fact that it's put in every type of processed food or drink in the United States. High Fructose Corn Syrup can be found in soda, cereal, breads, and even dog food. I believe that the processed sugar, High Fructose Corn Syrup has contributed to rise in obesity in the United States.

How the Body Processes Sugar

Fructose, is a sugar that is found in most fruits: and glucose is a sugar that is also found in fruits and vegetables, which is processed through the liver. Glucose is almost always used as energy for the body, since it needs energy to function. Fructose on the other hand, is more than likely to be stored as fat and to be used for energy later.

What is High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS?)

HFCS is a processed sugar, where corn is used as the main ingredient. The corn is processed into the consistency of syrup, at this stage the syrup is just fructose. Enzymes are added to the syrup, so some of the fructose is converted to glucose, to make a fructose-glucose mixture. Since the late 1970s, HFCS has been added to almost every processed food in the United States, as a sweetener. HFCS has replaced the traditional table sugar; which is sucrose, another type of sugar, in most of these foods. A couple reasons HFCS has become so heavily used in the United States is that it was cheaper to process HFCS, than import sugar cane from the Caribbean; another reason the United States government offers subsidizes to farmers who grow corn.

High Fructose Corn Syrup's (HFCS) Contribution to Obesity

According to studies, HFCS is not anymore unsafe than any other sugars but sugars need to be consumed in moderation. Ever since U.S food manufactures switched to the use of HFCS as its sweetener, the sugary syrup has found its way into almost every food product that we consume. Now, that's where the problem occurs; for example, in an Italian three course dinner, almost every food item that would be consumed has HFCS in it. Since, HFCS is mainly fructose; and the body stores fructose as fat, people are putting on more fat and are unaware of doing so. While other things, such as lack of exercise and some health issues may contribute to weight gain; HFCS is playing a major part in obesity.

In conclusion, in order to fight against obesity and other health risk, one must be attentive to the amount of their daily sugar consumption, whether it is natural or processed. By doing so, one must try to include more natural foods, rather than processed foods in their daily diet. Creating good eating habits, will benefit ourselves and can be passed down through the generation, so that the obesity rate in the United States can finally curve into a downward trend.

For more information on family health and nutrition topics visit http://myfamilyplate.com/

View the original article here

Why Is Drinking Soda So Bad for Our Bodies?

Most people think that drinking soda is harmless flavored water with a few bubbles that all the family will drink and quenches their thirst; making it an easy palatable method for drinking water.

Think Again! Soda happens to be the worst consumable drink on the market for your bodies in terms of nutritious health.

You may think the soda pop quenches your thirst, but in fact it runs directly to your bladder and is disposed of immediately. Why? The drink is pumped with carbon dioxide, in order to create the fizz and our body does not want it. Remember that we breathe out carbon dioxide, so why should we want it in our drinks?

This is even not the worst news! The really bad news is that the other two ingredients are extremely addictive substances and therefore very difficult to stop our body from craving for them. We have created a dependency on caffeine and sugar, which are very difficult to stop the dependency.

Sugar is cheap to buy and is in pretty much everything that we eat and drink, unless it has the words "natural" are on the label. It is one of most difficult habits to quit, because it is there is too much of it everywhere.

Sugar also does not help people that are trying to lose weight as there is no nutritious content to the drink and it is wasted in a drink, when you should be drinking plain filtered tap water. Even alternatives to sugar are questionable because of their synthetic content, which may have carcinogenic properties that could lead to cancer of the stomach or bowel.

The other dangerous content of soda is caffeine, because it gives you a false sense of alertness, or a false boost of energy. Many children survive on this 'quick fix', losing valuable sleep that will most certainly affect their education by keeping them up late at night and then becoming sleepy at school.

This false sense of alertness or burst of energy is an unnatural chemical that is substituting the adrenaline used by your body in times of emotional need. Your body becomes totally confused now with what is normal and what is abnormal emotions, so that the caffeine takes over from your body's natural defense and you become unnaturally dependent on the caffeine instead.

The fizz or carbonation of the ingredients is really carbon dioxide pumped into the sugary water. Your body expels carbon dioxide when you exhale, so any other carbonation process will immediately expel the water from your body.

This is not the type of water your body needs for body to hydrate It may temporarily quench your thirst, but your body needs natural neutral water. It is always better to offer your family cold tap water, as the chlorine settles out of the water when it is cold and not pay for bottled water which is a waste of money and will not help your body.

The author Gail McGonigal is trained Occupational Therapy and now has a website called Active Living Solutions Ltd. Her master's degree in Health Promotion, along with her knowledge in Occupational Therapy aims to show Baby Boomers how to heal their aches and pains through proper sitting on an ergonomic chair. Gail has herself suffered with spinal pains and has cured her own scoliosis in her spine through her ergonomic sitting on a bicycle. Gail now has an Active Living Solutions Plan, which is free with each ergonomic chair that will help customers live actively and pain-free in life, plus provide safe and supportive solutions for Baby Boomers. She will show you how to live a comfortable and pain-free quality of life that will help you remove excess pounds and enjoy a more active existence while using one of her ergonomic chairs. Gail sells all types of chairs, but specializes in those customers who have discomforts in prolonged sitting. Her expertise is to help the Big & Tall customers be comfortable in their chairs. http://www.activelivingsolutions.net/big-and-tall-chairs.html Gail now has a blog where she will discuss the different chairs for your benefit.

View the original article here

Tips to Overcome Obesity

In the world of junk foods, fizzy drinks, stressful environment and super fast life there is bound to be lapses in maintaining health. The result of ignorance is obesity. Once obesity strikes, you can't sit quite and be oblivious to the problems it throws upon you. You start exercising heavily, adhere to awkward diet, pop up pills and follow advices of some money grabbing weight loss institution. As a result, not only do you lose money, you lose peace of mind. Fitness programs like a boot camp would give you desirable results in losing weight but still you have to be careful about your habits you follow in day today life.

Food habits
The main culprit of obesity in today's fast-paced life is junk food. Foods like pizzas, burgers, chips and fries contain more fat producing substance than any other food. Stuff your plate with more vegetables and fruits; once you make a habit of eating them, you will easily forget your cravings for junk food. Vegetables and fruits contain fibers that absorb the unwanted fat from your body. Maintain a time table for having food, and avoid skipping your meals. Having small quantity of food at intervals is good rather than having large quantity of food at once.

Drinking habits
Myth: drinking more water keeps your body healthy. Fact: your body is designed to ask the amount of water it needs. So drinking water beyond the capacity of your body is not useful. But having other drinks when you are thirsty is harmful. Fizzy drinks, hot beverages and alcoholic drinks are not alternatives for water. They not only contain unhealthy ingredients, they produce harmful effects on the body when consumed with junk foods. Avoid having other drinks when you are thirsty. Instead, rejuvenate yourself with coconut water or just plain water.

TV and PC habits
Sitting in front of TV or PC with the movie playing and munching on popcorn, chips, fries bowl after bowl sounds exciting. But it is fatal to the body which bears the brunt of your excitement. Researchers have found that people gobble up more junk food when sitting in front of TV or PC. Avoid eating while watching TV or working on PC. Fill your bowl with fruits if you can't avoid it.

Exercising habits
Workouts play an important role in reducing weight. More often than not people fail to manage a regular workout session because of lack of interest or work pressure. You may feel performing simple exercises like attending a boot camp in the initial stages but once you pass the phase, you will find difficulty in stopping the habit. So adhere to a set of exercises until you make it a habit. You will be surprised by the result it produces.

Working habits
Today's world is of commitments and deadlines. Once the deadline nears, the stress level rises. Studies have shown that whenever people are in stress they tend to eat more to relieve the pressure. Some go one step further and binge heavily on alcoholic drinks. There by increasing fat content in the body. Practicing meditation, listening to music, playing, spending more time with family are some of the remedies to cool off your nerves.

Mind your habits
All said and done, it's the mind that controls your body. Stronger the mind, easier it is to lose weight. So make your mind strong by setting targets and deadlines to lose those extra kilos. And if the opportunity comes to attend a boot camp to lose your weight never be afraid to take the plunge.

If you would like to book a bootcamp, visit Boot Camp Sydney.

View the original article here

End The Trend of Obesity

It's startling. In an article written by Elizabeth Mendes for Gallup, the obesity rate is now higher than 20% for ALL 50 states in America. The state with the lowest obesity rate is Colorado at 20.1%. The state with the highest obesity rate is West Virginia at 34.3%. That means that the National Average is now 27.2 percent. Think about that for a moment; over one quarter of our country's population is now considered OBESE.

Let's just take a moment to look at some of the numbers for what they are. The current population of America is a little over 311 million people. If the national average is 27.2 percent, that means that roughly 85 million people in America are considered obese. Let that sink in for a minute; not over weight, but obese.

According to WebMD, obesity is an excess portion of body fat. A person is considered obese when his/her weight is 20% above normal. The most common measure of obesity is the BMI or Body Mass Index which measures a person's percent of body fat. A person is considered overweight if their BMI is between 25 and 29.9. A person is considered obese is their BMI is 30 or higher, and they're considered Morbidly Obese is the BMI is over 40.

Obesity occurs when a person takes in more calories than they burn. For many people, this boils down to eating too much and exercising too little. But there are other factors that play a role in a person's BMI. These can include: Age, Gender, Genetics, Environmental Factors, Physical Activity, Psychological Factors, Illness and Medication.

Obesity can lead to a plethora of health problems down the road; they include Heart Disease, Type 2 Diabetes, and certain types of Cancer, Osteoarthritis and Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

The Problem

As stated above, there are extenuating circumstances that lead to some people's obesity, but for the most part, it just comes down to good old over eating. The recommended Daily Caloric Intake is 2,500 Calories for Men, 2,000 Calories for Women, and 1,800 Calories for Children ages 5-10. But not surprisingly, in a report from the United Nations tracked the Caloric Intake of Americans from 2001-2003 and found the average American consumed 3,770 calories per day. That report does not differentiate between Men, Women or Children; that's just the average.

Americans are eating more and exercising less. That's the problem. We have become a nation of sedentary lifestyle. Video Games have replaced kids playing in the yard. Automation in the workplace has replaced hard work. Fast food restaurants with their 1,000 calorie drive through death knell constantly jingling on the television or over their car's radio lure people to bad health and worse diets like the Sirens' Songs lured the sailors to crash into the rocks in the Sinbad Movies from years gone by. It's gone beyond a trend, it's an epidemic.

The Solution

There is in fact only one solution to this problem. Americans need to eat more healthy foods and get back to exercising. Diet and exercise are the mainstays in treating obesity. As your Grandfather used to say, "There's no replacement for good old-fashioned elbow grease." Obesity is the LEADING PREVENTABLE cause of death in the world, and yet, not many (comparatively speaking) seem to care.

Oh, it's for certain that many people say they care; last year alone over $35 Billion was spent in the healthcare/fitness industry. Gym memberships were up, but so were waistlines. We've all seen the 2:00 am infomercial for the "Tummy 1000", and people flock to these things and buy them in bulk, only to hang socks or towels on them within 2 weeks of their arrival.

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm all for someone deciding to make a change and get their bodies back to being healthy again. The problem with some of these quick fix machines is that they're just designed to separate the fool from his money in hopes that they can see their toes again sometime soon. There is no quick fix for reversing the effects of obesity.

People today spend a great deal of money buying Gym Memberships, only to be frustrated by the people there, coupled together with the fact that they don't really know how to work out properly. So, after a few weeks, the gym membership goes the way of the Tummy 1000, only you can't hang a towel on it, it's just wasted money.

There are some really good programs out there however. But Caveat Emptor or buyer beware, only the programs that offer hard work, coupled together with proper diet and nutrition can be expected to help get them where they want to be. There's no pie in the sky promises that if you'll just squeeze this for 30 seconds a day you'll have abs like the Governator in two weeks. A real workout program only promises that if you'll stick with them every day and do the best you can in the workouts, you'll not only get slimmer and healthier, but you'll feel a lot better as well.

Now, obviously these types of workout programs are not for everyone. Some, because of medical conditions, are never going to be able to do the aforementioned workouts, but that's the exception not the rule. But even if those folks can't do the workouts, they still can watch their diet, and there are numerous vitamins and supplements they could incorporate into their diet. A person can also look into drinking a Meal Replacement Drink, which generally has all the vitamins and nutrients you need for a day, in one Meal Replacement Shake, with little to no fat, low carbohydrates and a fair amount of protein, and most times at very low calories.

If a person were to only drink one of these shakes per day, just imagine what that might do. If the average American is engulfing 3,770 calories per day, what would the results be by drinking one Meal Replacement Shake per day? If we only look at replacing one meal in their current dietary intake, then on average, they would shorten their caloric intake by 1,116 calories, which would result in 7,812 less calories in a one week period. Just by drinking one Meal Replacement Shake a day, it would be the same result at the end of a week missing 2 days of their normal diet. And since the FDA states that getting rid of 3,500 calories per week results in losing one pound, that would be 2 pounds per week, and that's if they did nothing else different.

There are alternatives out there to dying an early death just because one could not control their diet or just didn't care.

Hard work, a sensible diet and the proper nutrients; this is the only way to end the trend of obesity. Or you could just squeeze the Tummy 1000 while you're waiting in line at the drive-thru.

Dan Gandee is a husband, father of five and grandfather of two. He is a Team BeachBody Coach who is passionate about ending the trend of obesity and helping others get in great shape through hard work and proper diet. He is also an authorized distributor of Shakeology Meal Replacement Shake. He can be reached with any questions at Dan@Hardcorefitnessnow.com

View the original article here

Obesity and Being Undereducated or Poor?

Statistics show that obesity is often associated with lower incomes and less education. How can we make sense of that statement?

As humans, we need basically three conditions to make sure that we feel reasonably well and our needs are not substituted with feel-good-food or by emotional eating.

1. We need to understand what is going on in our own lives

2. We need to ability to shape and influence our own lives

3. We need to be able to feel that whatever happens around us makes sense and that we have found our place in our families and in society

These three key points are the foundation of what keeps us healthy, and, ultimately, at a normal weight.

Are these three components often lacking with poorer and less educated people?

Yes, as they no longer feel that they can shape anything to their desire due to the lack of funds or the lack of being needed or the feeling of not being able to make a difference. Even managers in corporations seem to break down, fall ill or end up with depressions when their creative freedom to shape events is somehow curtailed.

Most people who ended up at the edge of society due to unemployment or poverty rarely feel that they are needed anymore; they rarely feel that they are able to make a difference in anybody's life anymore. They also might have lost the sense of understanding on how to change their situations and what their life's purpose might be, even though as child they, like everybody else, were hopeful that they would find a place in this life in which they would be able to bring meaning to their and other people's lives. Lacking this kind of fulfillment is as if constantly living with some sort of craving and desire for something that cannot be satisfied or reached.

And this unfulfilled desire leads directly to overeating?

Especially for those who have learned as early as childhood that problems can be substituted with candy; children who fall down or cry get something sweet to ease the pain. Especially parents of poorer and lesser educated backgrounds are prime examples of customers who keep buying chocolate bars and other junk foods; they keep buying this stuff even though they actually have very little money available. But this audience is of course also very susceptible to advertising because they have had so many problems early on in their lives and have learned that they cannot really solve their problems, but rather only satisfy - and substitute - their desire for change and a better life.

So can this be considered a social problem?

Yes, in some ways these people are holding up a mirror in front of society and show where things are headed when people no longer care for one another; when people end up being labeled and stereotyped and are no longer given the room or the opportunity to make a real difference in theirs and other people's lives. From this point of view, then, being unemployed is not so much a problem because of the lack of funds, but it becomes a huge problem because of the lack of meaning; because one can no longer contribute to society in a meaningful way.

Is this the reason weight loss classes on healthy eating don't work so well?

To decide how to behave in certain life situations is based one's life experiences up until now. Anyone who has learned that sweet and fatty foods will help satisfy their desires has developed an attitude like "If I am a little fat, what does it not matter?" or "The main thing to me is that it tastes good." These attitudes are not purely cognitive, (i.e. we're not always thinking about it), but stem from experience and conditioning. And every experience is distinguished by something that gets under one's skin; something that is linked with a powerful feeling or emotion. Both components, the emotional and the cognitive link combined, will eventually lead to a conviction that a particular behavior is good for us, even if it is overeating bad foods.

So lecturing alone won't help?

Exactly, because this approach won't reach the emotional components. You cannot change an attitude by convincing people because you only reach the cognitive component; and you can not achieve change by punishing or hugging them all the time because you only reach the emotional components that way.

So what will help?

You should invite such people to encourage and inspire a new and different experience with themselves. For example, moving their bodies so that they can feel and get in touch and experience their own bodies again; or in relationships with other people, where they realize that they can actually talk with others without feeling bad or ashamed and where they feel that they can talk about problems and solutions as well. And, of course, in relationship to their role in this world and in society, where they realize that they are able to partake in shaping it and making a difference. For these steps to work, nutritional counseling alone is far from being enough. It sometimes it takes the help of a psychotherapists or a life coach.

Some might ask: Why won't big people achieve this by themselves? They only need to get their act together.

This is the talk of the educated middle class, which itself had enough opportunity to take responsibility for their own lives and have thus learned that they can make it. But for those who are are used to not being able to succeed in anything and those who didn't have any positive experience in changing themselves and those who were ridiculed at their whole life - how can they possibly have an experience of taking on self-responsibility? For these people the cognitive and emotional reasoning is so strongly developed and intertwined that breaking through and letting go of their substitute behavior of overeating is rather difficult.

So we need a new approach towards helping people lose weight?

What we need is another relationship culture at home, at school, at work and in our communities. If our living together becomes so empowered that everybody can find their place in society and recognizes themselves as valuable to other people, we wouldn't have many obesity problems. I am firmly convinced of this.

Rainer A. Rohde is passionate about life coaching. His approach to coaching is as unique as his personality and he has helped many individuals to achieve more than they ever thought possible.

Want to find out more about coaching or learn if coaching might be helpful for you? Go to http://www.rainerrohde.com/.

View the original article here