subject: What To Do To Lose Weight [print this page] People are fatter now than everPeople are fatter now than ever. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been tracking it, and the picture isn't pretty. Last year, only Colorado had an obesity prevalence of less than 20%. This is pretty shocking. Of note here is the fact that obesity is defined by CDC as having a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or more. There is a lesser category called "overweight" that is somewhere between a healthy weight and being obese. Even being overweight can put the heart and cardiovascular system at risk, however.
A poll of 1,000 people randomly sampled from across the U.S. released by McClatchy in Washington showed that about 50% of those surveyed thought that obesity was either a minor problem or no problem at all for their families. Two-thirds of the respondents thought that they were at a healthy weight. Statistically, given the data from CDC, this isn't possible.
As a researcher and healthcare professional, this poll is troubling to me for a few reasons. First, it begins to show that many people are not aware of the true definitions of "overweight" or obesity. Not seeing yourself as overweight or obese will naturally lead to no positive actions against it. Second, our health behaviors are learned from what we observe and practice while growing up. If you grow up in a household where no one sees their weight as a problem (when it actually is a problem), then a whole new generation who believe the same thing has been created. It's much easier to develop healthy behaviors when we are children than to change them when we become adults.
Lastly, the longer people are overweight or obese, the sicker they become. When we are sick, we consume more healthcare resources. Former President, Bill Clinton noted that obesity alone costs the U.S. approximately $147 Billion per year. So, imagine a generation of folks that really are unhealthy, but don't see it that way. This is quite possibly this situation in which we find ourselves right now.
So, my question to you is this: Are you fat? Do you admit it? What are you doing about it?
What causes obesity?
When you take in more calories than you burn off, you gain weight. How you eat, how active you are, and other things affect how your body uses calories and whether you gain weight.
If your family members are obese, you may have inherited a tendency to gain weight. And your family also helps form your eating and lifestyle habits, which can lead to obesity.
Also, our busy lives make it harder to plan and cook healthy meals. For many of us, it's easier to reach for prepared foods, go out to eat, or go to the drive-through. But these foods are often high in fat and calories. Portions are often too large. Work schedules, long commutes, and other commitments also cut into the time we have for physical activity.
There is no quick fix to being overweight. To lose weight, you must burn more calories than you take in.
You've tried diets, but you always gain the weight back. What can you do?
Focus on health, not diets. Diets are hard to maintain and usually do not work in the long run. It is very hard to stay with a diet that includes lots of big changes in your eating habits.
Instead of a diet, focus on lifestyle changes that will improve your health and achieve the right balance of energy and calories. To lose weight, you need to burn more calories than you take in. You can do it by eating healthy foods in reasonable amounts and becoming more active. And you need to do it every day.
Make a plan for change. Work with your doctor to develop a plan that will work for you. Ask family members and friends for help in keeping with your plan. Ask your doctor to recommend a dietitian to help you with meal planning.
When you stray from your plan, do not get upset. Figure out what got you off track and how you can fix it.
How can you stay on your plan for change?
It is hard to change habits. You have to be ready. Make sure this is the right time for you. Are you ready to make a plan and stay on it? Do you have the support of your family and friends? Do you know what your first steps will be? Becoming healthier and staying that way is a lifelong effort.
by: Anthony Churchill
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