Obesity, Whats The Big Deal

Nowadays, so much of the public is obese (fat) that it is the "norm". So much so, that we are starting to ignore this epidemic.

Thankfully, the Surgeon General has issued a warning about the plague of obesity that has been considered to be as significant or moreso than the warning issued about the hazards of cigarette smoke.

As long as you are carrying extra weight (beyond the acceptable upper limits of body fat), you increase your risks for a variety of health complaints. These complaints and risks include conditions such as diabetes, heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, osteoarthritis, and more.

Definition of Obesity and Overweight

Obesity has been defined as an abnormal accumulation of body fat in proportion to body size. Overweight persons, although still technically obese, will have a body-fat proportion that is intermediate between normal and obese. (1)

Some Common Excuses for Being Obese

This section will probably ruffle the feathers of some people who read it. It is not meant to be demeaning or belittling. Rather it is meant to shed light on some of the "unhealthy" thought patterns that contribute to obesity, its consequences, and other conditions.

A lot of people will say to themselves and others something like "Yeah, I'm a bit overweight but I feel okay about it" or "Maybe I'm carrying a few extra pounds, but so is everyone else" or even "I might be fat, but I can lose it anytime I want". Other things that you might hear someone else say are things like "Jeez, you look pretty good ?" "for someone who just had a baby" or ? "for someone who has had three kids" (my wife absolutely hates hearing those 'compliments') or ? "for someone who hasn't played hockey in ten years."

Then of course there are the "medical" excuses. "I've got metabolic syndrome", "ever since my surgery, I've had no energy", "my knees hurt", "I have arthritis", "It's hereditary", "I've got asthma" ?

All of the above probably have a seed of truth in them for many people. However, more often than not, these excuses are a way to avoid doing something that you don't want to do, such as getting more exercise, or controlling your eating habits.

Why does this occur? Because we are in D.E.N.I.A.L. (an addictions counselor/mental health worker told me that it stood for Don't Even (k)no(w) I Am Lying).

Lifestyle Factors

Today's life is, no doubt, incredibly hectic and seems to be getting moreso every passing year. Gone are the days when most people in our society must do heavy physical labour every day just to survive. Automation has created many labour saving devices. This in turn has created a largely sedentary, inactive society.

Look at the kids today. Instead of being outside playing shinny or a game of pick-up basketball, or any of thousands of other outdoor activities, they are inside playing video games or getting mesmerized by the T.V.

Patricia Markham Risica (2) writes that ?

The number of people affected by obesity continues to rise along with the prevalence of comorbid diseases that result from this condition. What could be considered the modern-day plague, caused by higher consumption and less expenditure of energy, has been broken down into its economic components by Eric Finkelstein.[1,2] The likely economic culprits for the marked increases observed in the 1980s and '90s include the increased availability of higher-calorie-dense foods, increased portion sizes, and lower overall costs of food along with increased exposure to television advertising of the same products. These trends are coupled with the earlier trends from the '60s and '70s of lower energy expenditure at work, more women in the workforce, and not making family meals at home. The increased prevalence of obesity carries a parallel increased demand for economic resources; 5% to 7% of total medical expenditures are already being devoted to this very costly condition.[1,3,4]

And she further writes that ?

Obesity and overweight (the term preferred by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other organizations when referring to children and adolescents due to the potential negative connotations associated with "obesity")[5] represent a challenge of vast dimensions to the public health community, with causes of the epidemic permeating American society. Americans are surrounded by facilitators of an eat-more/expend-less society -- from the individual and family; to the food producers, processors, sellers, and advertisers; to the city planners of our neighborhoods; to the business organizations that demand our time during the day and the media that entertain us in the evening. Clinicians generally are not equipped to control this epidemic that greets them every day. Behavioral change counseling is not in their repertoire and effective treatments are not readily available; in fact, even when they are available, such programs are usually not reimbursed by third-party payers.

-----

In today's society, the cost of eating in a healthy fashion is more often than not, much more expensive than eating all of the garbage that is available. Additionally, in virtually all processed foods, there is some sort of additive which will increase hunger and cravings. (reminds me of a line from "So I Married An Axe Murderer" with Mike Myers were his father was discussing "the Colonel" and how he puts an addictive chemical in his chicken to "make you crave it fortnightly!") Nowadays the home vegetable garden plot is fast disappearing which again will limit the availability of wholesome produce at a lower cost.

Look at artificial sweeteners. They have the ability to artificially increase your hunger. Not only that, but when they break down in your body, some very harmful chemicals can appear. One particular artificial sweetener is in over 2000 products! Think of the impact on society. Try finding chewing gum without it.

All of the above can contribute in some small or even in some large way to increase the increasingly present burden of obesity.

Until next time?

Yours in Health,

Dr. M. Montgomery @ www.healthyunderstanding.com

References 1. Obesity. Jonathan Q. Purnell, M.D., Medscape.com 2. Prevention of Overweight and Obesity: Focus on Children and Adolescents. Patricia Markham Risica, Dr.PH, RD, Medscape.com

Disclaimer: As always, check with your health care provider to see if this information applies to you. Due diligence is your responsibility. This information is meant to supplement your knowledge, not to replace your own decision making process or take the place of your health care provider.

This newsletter is provided for free by HealthyUnderstanding.com This newsletter may be distributed in its entirety without alteration.

Dr. Marshal Montgomery is a practising chiropractor in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada and is the creator of http://www.HealthyUnderstanding.com. He has practised in Canada and Australia.

---

FAT LOSS: The Truth On Fat Loss And How To Achieve It!

Fat Loss in GeneralThis morning I conducted a search engine... Read More

Do Diet Pills Really Work?

You've seen diet pill advertisements? You have read the testimonials... Read More

Weight Loss Setbacks and the All or Nothing Attitude

I want to talk about the "all or nothing" outlook... Read More

Maintaining Your Weight Loss Momentum Away On Vacation

Going away for your holidays will also bring with it... Read More

The Secret Meaning Of Compulsive Eating Behaviors

Food is not simply fuel to keep you going. Nor... Read More

The First Tragedy in a Lifetime of Weightloss

I am approaching 70 years of age very quickly and... Read More

Low Fat versus Low Carb Diets

Diets, diets, diets... every where you go, anything you read... Read More

Secrets Of Weight Loss

One thing's for sure, in this day & age, if... Read More

Why Isnt My Diet Working?

Have you been on a new diet for a couple... Read More

Get Started Exercising Now, But Take It Easy!

So you're overweight, "fat"--to be honest--and you want to start... Read More

Anorexia - a Game of Control!

Low self-esteem produces a game of control. It causes a... Read More

After Gastric Bypass: Pass the Water, Hold the Ice

I just read this conventional diet tip ? and we've... Read More

Weight Loss NOW! The Soft Drink Diet

In the early nineties doctors were beginning to see the... Read More

Weight Loss: Customize, Personalize, Spice up!

You know you have weighted, err, waited more than enough.... Read More

Weight Loss and Disease ? It?s Not the Food that?s Killing Us!

Whether coming from a close friend, the nightly news or... Read More

Is the Dr Atkins Diet Safe?

The Dr Atkins Diet has been around for ages, but... Read More

The Seven Secrets of Weight Loss

When embarking on a weight loss program people will almost... Read More

Lose Weight and Keep it Off Permanently Without Fancy Diets

For years the experts have been telling us that diets... Read More

Running from the Fat Monster after Gastric Bypass

Many patients of gastric bypass report feeling fearful of succeeding... Read More

Take Control of Your Metabolism:Quick Tips for Increased Muscle Tone, Faster Fat Burning, and Energy

So many people are talking about how slow their metabolism... Read More

Children of Gastric Bypass Patients at Risk for Eating Disorders

As parents who've had gastric bypass we face many challenges... Read More

Buyer Beware: Purchasing Fat Burners and Other Supplements Online

Each month I receive hundreds of e-mails from consumers who... Read More

Holidaze

It's the travel time, meaning hours spent sedentary. It prepares... Read More

Weight Loss Tips for a Swimsuit Body

Spring is here and swimsuit weather is just around the... Read More

What Every Woman Needs!

As a woman, your body is very complex. Throughout every... Read More

Obesity Prevention Must Begin at Home

Not losing weight but gaining it is why we are... Read More

Fake Weight Loss Programs and Pills: Is Your Weight Loss Program Safe and Effective?

In this age being ignorant is like committing a crime.... Read More

The Cost of Gastric Bypass Surgery

The cost of gastric bypass surgery and other bariatric surgical... Read More

Hypnosis For Weight Loss ? The perfect solution to losing weight

Temporary weight loss is easy!You simply starve yourself on the... Read More

Dieting Effects ? Diet Pills

When it comes to our weight and the appearance of... Read More

The Thermogenic Fat Burner

The term 'thermogenic' refers to a group of drugs or... Read More

Gastric Bypass Surgery ? Get Your Vitamins!

Gastric bypass patients face a great task in the following... Read More

Fat Burning Secrets For Cardio Workouts

Lets face it, most of us live pretty busy lives... Read More