The Fat Problem

If obesity goes on increasing continuously in England then days are not far away when England would be known as the fattest nation on earth. England’s fast growing obesity has given health experts a strong issue of concern. Expressing deep concern over this fast growing obesity in England health experts fear that:- 1. Record number of people would die of strokes, heart attacks and cancers. 2. Obesity is likely to reduce life expectancy by at least eight years. 3. Half of the population will be clinically obese by 2032. 4. Britain could even overtake the US where an estimated one third of the population is obese. 5. Obesity is thought to knock nine years off the average lifespan. 6. If obesity goes on with this speed then by 2020, one fifth of the NHS budget will be spent just on diabetes and its ramifications. These predictions paint a very gloomy picture of Britons’ health condition. In other words, there lies a serious threat to the health of the Britons. Actually, in the last few decades many astonishing changes have crept into England’s day-to-day life, speeding up the pace of obesity. The following words of Mike, Lincoln of England well bring out the equation between these changes and obesity: 40 to 50 years ago, obesity was unheard of; food chains where virtually non-existant; television advertising was but a lowly marketing boost; people smoked, drank and kept active; cars where few on the road; jobs were plentiful; youngsters had a future; apprenticeships were abundant; coppers were coppers; food was wholesome, often local. So where does the finger of blame point today? Easy – at those who treat us all as mere slaves to the faceless, present-day economy! So too, those lavish, oh so lavish marketing techniques!…… Obesity is the root cause of several other life-threatening diseases like, diabetes, depression, high blood pressure, cancer, etc. Therefore, in order to suppress these life-threatening diseases it is important to bridle obesity first. Otherwise, all efforts to make England a healthy nation would end in smoke. Via: Daily Mail

Quite strange but true that if you are obese, you won’t think at least about committing suicide. This conclusion is the result of a long study that began in 1986 and surveyed 45,000 men. According to the experts who conducted this study, men with higher BMI were 42 per cent less likely to commit suicide than those at the lower end of the normal weight range. Here it is worth mentioning that researchers have strongly associated this study with men and not with women because they think that hormonal system of women is quite different from that of men; therefore, findings of this study may not be fit for women with higher BMI. However, the reason behind this equation is not very clear even to these researchers. Still, they believe that it might be linked to their (men with higher BMI) higher production of insulin and other hormones that affect mood. This finding is no doubt, quite strange but it opens new vistas for researchers to explore and find out how higher BMI is linked to lesser inclination to commit suicide. Secondly, it is like a challenge for the researchers to prove authenticity of this finding with more concrete evidences because earlier studies have linked obesity with several mental as well as physical disorders, especially with depression, which is known as one of the factor that prompts to commit suicide. Image credit: HKU Via: LA Times

There is no denying that sugar-loaded soft drinks are having ‘a negative impact on health’. These words from Dr. Kelly Brownell, director of the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at Yale University, clearly warn people who enjoy soft drinks at the cost of their health. This remark from Dr. Kelly is the conclusion of the study, which tracked more than 91,000 women for about eight years and concluded that women who drank one or more sodas per day were twice as likely as those drank less than one soda per month to develop diabetes over the course of the study. In addition, this study states that the higher people consumed sugary sodas the lower they consume milk, calcium and other essential nutrients, fruits, etc. It shows that a big percentage of soft drink consumers ignore the importance of healthy diet, which further exacerbates the situation. During the review experts also found that, results presented by the industry-funded studies were too biased when compared to the non-industry-funded studies. Recently, news stating that coca-cola pays doctor who claims soda has no link to obesity, diabetes, etc. were also beamed, which confirm the fakeness of the these so-called ‘biased studies’. In the words of Dr. Kelly: …with the industry-funded studies much more likely to find the results favorable to industry. This shows that most of such industry-funded studies are part to a massive campaign of these industries to advertise their products by throwing dust into the eyes of innocent consumers. No doubt, this study has strongly undraped the covetous attitude of soft drink producing industries along with exposing negative effects of soft drink consumption, but we should not forget that several studies conducted earlier have also tired their hands in this awareness mission. As a result, many people have come forward saying ‘no’ to these soft drinks, which are pushing us to embrace slow death. Following are some of the links that would provide you with the idea what other studies says about health effects of soft drinks and how society has responded to this awareness:- How soft drinks affect health:- � Soft Drinks, Hard Facts � The Health Hazards of Drinking Coca-Cola and other Soft Drinks � Soft drinks weight gain warning � Soft Drinks Reportedly Linked to Health Problems Kindling awareness:- � National ban on soft drinks in schools sought � Restrict soda vending machines in public schools, says American Dietetic Association � Bottlers Agree to a School Ban on Sweet Drinks � Push for wider soft drink ban Image credit: Terra Daily Via: DNA India

‘Neurology’ – journal of the American Academy of Neurology has discovered that the syndrome ‘Wernicke Encephalopathy’ known to affect the brain and the nervous system, is a result of the lack of vitamin B1 or thiamine. It has been observed that in case of some patients undergoing weight loss surgery, frequent vomiting which can result in the condition of the dreaded ‘Wernicke Encephalopathy’ can occur. Out of the 32 cases, it is seen that 27 are women which has led to a thought process of whether the condition is seen more in women or whether the results are so due to more number of women opting for weight loss surgeries. Although the experts suggest that there is no cause for panic, as one cannot generalize that all patients undergoing the surgery would experience the similar conditions and Wernicke Encephalopathy’ may be a lesser danger as compared to obesity. It has been observed that the Wernicke syndrome is seen to have occurred in the time frame of the first three months after the surgery ( although an exception to this has been seen after 18 months of the surgery). As a precautionary measure it is advised that the patients strictly follow the instructions of the doctor and take their vitamin supplements as prescribed and report any new and bothering symptoms to the doctor immediately. Weight loss surgery generally has good results and the final outlook is definitely going to make the patient really happy. Further studies would definitely be helpful in throwing more light on the areas still unknown. source: bbc image credit: newenglandnutritives

Hot cross buns enjoy a position of their own which is unshakeable and the bun is a favourite among a majority. But a recent advice from the health magazine Diabetes New Zealand relates it to obesity. The magazine warned that hot cross buns are equivalent to two or three slices of bread and the seasonal treat could lead you towards obesity. Public health nutritionist Bronwen King says that eating a hot cross bun dripped in butter may help feed the obesity epidemic. As of late the fruit bun has been coming in six packs with extra chocolate chips in them and are sometimes with two extra free. And this is the reason for a health warning from dieticians that is now attached with the Easter favourites. ‘Eat half a bun or eat a smaller one’ is the motto to be followed if you want to remain in shape or else your hot cross bun could be your ticket to the dreaded world of obesity. Source.

Brisk walk for about 15 minutes in a day can prevent kids from developing obesity. This is the notion that British researchers have come out transpiring after studying about 5,500 children. As per the findings of this study, children who increased their physical activity levels by 15 minutes a day of moderate exercise, their chances of developing obesity came down startlingly by almost 50 per cent. Findings of this study seem quite plausible. However, as far as views expressed by author Prof. Chris Riddoch of Britain’s Bath University are concerned, to be fully agree with them is somewhat difficult, especially when he remarks that this study is the first to provide robust evidence on the link between physical activity and childhood obesity. In my opinion, in the past too there have been many studies, which have shown that participation in physical activities helps keeping childhood obesity at bay. Still, the importance of this study can’t be ignored because childhood obesity is fast encroaching upon kids all round the world, making kids more prone to several mental as well as physical disorders. Find out how the serpent of childhood obesity is raising its hood:- � Kids in the Throes of Obesity � Childhood Obesity Goes Global � Childhood Obesity Causes Diabetes and Other Health Problems � Childhood Obesity Kicks off Early Puberty in Girls � Childhood obesity rises dramatically in the UK � Will Rising Childhood Obesity Decrease U.S. Life Expectancy? � Childhood Obesity is on the Rise Image credit: Restoration day Via: CBC

Have you ever seen a mermaid with a pot belly? It could be that these temptresses of the sea have maintained their svelte figures for centuries by nibbling on fucoxanthin, a compound found in brown seaweed that attacks belly fat. Luckily, you don’t have to dive to the bottom of the sea to whittle your middle because a new, marine-vegetable based weight management supplement called fucoTHIN which is yet to get an approval from FDA is now available with clinically proven results on humans. Garden of Life is launching fucoTHIN, a non-stimulant weight management supplement with a thermogenic effect for fat metabolism. Researchers have confirmed that fucoTHIN naturally promotes thermogenesis, the process by which the body increases its metabolic rate and requires the utilization of internal stores of energy such as fat. Exciting research and a human clinical trial yielded results indicating that fucoTHIN supports the breakdown of fat in white adipose tissue, or visceral fat cells, which accumulate in the liver and around the stomach and organs. The findings are important because studies have shown almost 46 percent of adult Americans have an excess of visceral fat, which has been identified as a leading risk factor for a variety of serious health issues. Combined with a diet and exercise program, fucoTHIN can be an important addition to a healthy weight management plan says Marie Spano, a registered dietician and vice president for the International Society of Sports Nutrition. FucoTHIN contains a proprietary blend of fucoxanthin, a carotenoid found in brown seaweed, and pomegranate seed oil, a powerful antioxidant that works synergistically with fucoxanthin to promote thermogenesis and provide cellular protection. FucoThin costs $39.95 for a 30-day supply. Source

Summer is the time when everyone goes on dieting as they’ll hit the pool and don’t want to look bad in their swimming suits. While dieting may help you slim down a bit, it really is not an answer as it is not a permanent solution. Even if you plan to diet it is dangerous to lose lose more than one or two pounds a month. On the other hand if you plan to keep your weight off permanently you must think of other ways of achieving it. Dieting helps you lose weight at the cost of body tone and body strength. Lifting weights and exercising will help you burn calories, tone and strengthen your body which in turn makes you look slimmer. Here are some small changes you need to make to slim down. 1) Change your lifestyle- Take stairs instead of elevator; Park you car a few blocks away and walk to your destination. 2) If you feel hungry, try healthy snacks like fruits instead of cookies or pizza. 3) You need to burn 3500 calories to lose a pound. Cut down 50 calories from each meal; If you cut down 150 calories a day you will lose a pound in 24 days easily. 4) Exercise regularly- if you cannot do it at one stretch try splitting it into two 15 minutes workout. Don’t hide your body in those boring figure-hiding swimsuits; Flaunt it in the designer swim wear you have always dreamt about, the next time you go in for a splash in the pool.

Not televisions or videogames but the way of transportation is the main culprit behind childhood obesity. The profounder of this belief is a Stuart Biddle, professor of exercise and sport psychology at Loughborough University. Biddle has come up with this belief after studying more than 1,500 kids between the ages 12 to 16 years of age. During the course of study, he found that teenagers who spent more time than average in front of the television were just as active as those who do not. In his words: If you look at the decline in walking and cycling among children, it is far more dramatic than any changes in TV watching trends. Biddle’s statement that instead of cycles kids are transported to their residences through cars, buses, etc. is no doubt, correct. However, to say that this is the only cause behind childhood obesity won’t be right. Moreover,saying that televisions and videogames have nothing to do with childhood obesity seems somewhat unbelievable. There can be given many reason to prop this view, first, kids’ more interest in watching televisions, playing videogames prevents them from participating in outdoor games. Secondly, unrestrained television viewing prompts heavy consumption of calorie intake, which studies have also proved. These few examples prove that to some extent televisions and videogames are responsible for nurturing childhood obesity. Moreover, several studies have associated televisions and videogames with several psychological problems too, which we can’t keep a blind eye to. For instance:- About television � Television ‘harms’ children’s health � TELEVISION ADVERTISING LEADS TO UNHEALTHY HABITS IN CHILDREN About videogames � Video games ‘increase aggression’ � The Impact of Video Games on Children � The Violent Side of Video Games In brief, letting televisions and videogames go scot-free won’t be correct. Image credit: Buehlers Via: Post chronicle

If you are still leading an ignorant lifestyle and believe that gulping down those sugary soft drinks is not adding calories in your body…then you have all reasons to correct yourself. The age old debate between the nutrition researchers and the representatives of beverage industry might get resolved after reading this study that reveals that consuming sugary sodas pack more calories into their bodies, in comparison to the non consumers. The study has been tagged as the meta-analyses of 88 soda studies and prves that fizz drinks are a major cause of obesity all across the world. The study is conducted by Yale University Researchers. According to the researchers, the fact that these drinks are less filling, in turn leaving the consumer less satisfied and more wanting…thus adding calories. And the amount of calories that people add on this way is anyway more than that added by a sedentary lifestyle…so the explanation given by the representatives of beverage companies gets less effective here. Read More