|
|
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
| The Lounge | Champions | The Wire | Schedule | Audio | Arcade | The Top Ten | Historical | Email | Video |
Obesity, Whats The Big Deal Part 4
In this issue, I am going to focus more on some of the consequences of obesity, especially as it relates to children. Although this is focusing on children, think of how it relates to you. Also, if you have kids, what are you teaching your kids about health? This growing problem is getting so prevalent; there are even articles which refer to the "obesogenic" environment of schools. What they are saying is that society has come to accept "fatness" in its populace and even in the kids. So much so in fact, that they have stopped building gymnasiums in some schools. Add to this the horrendous quality of some cafeteria foods and/or the vending machines dispensing nothing of quality. There are movements abreast around the world that are aiming to rid the schools of the pestilence of junk food dispensing machines. Hooray for that! I recently read in the Ecologist that some people are waging a war against a major soft drink company with their own form of embargo. This company is not the only company that should be having an economic war waged against it. In general, we need to move away from the highly processed foods and move towards whole food consumption. As has been mentioned in earlier articles, obesity contributes to a variety of conditions such as heart problems, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, and more. One of these problems, high blood pressure (HBP), is now becoming a growing problem in children. HBP has also been associated with an increased risk of dementia. Studies have demonstrated that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables as well as possibly dairy may be able to help with childhood HBP levels. Overweight among young people has increased dramatically. Between 1980 and 1994, children and adolescents considered to be overweight increased by 100% in the United States. About 15% of 6 - 19 -year-olds are currently overweight and there are even greater rates of overweight among minorities or those who are economically disadvantaged. Overweight youth are more likely to be overweight as adults, and are more likely to have medical risks associated with cardiovascular disease than other children and adolescents. Consequences of Overweight in Children and Adolescents Health consequences related to overweight can begin in childhood or adolescence; overweight children and adolescents are at increased risk for various chronic diseases in later life. The psychosocial consequences of overweight are also significant. This problem has been linked to social discrimination, a negative self-image in adolescence that often persists into adulthood, parental neglect, and behavioral and learning problems. Common Medical Consequences of Overweight ? Hyperlipidemia: A group of disorders characterized by increased bad fats and decreased good fats in the blood. ? Glucose intolerance: A precursor of diabetes. ? Hepatic steatosis: The fatty degeneration of the liver. High concentrations of liver enzymes are associated with this and have been found in overweight youths. Weight reduction will help to normalize hepatic enzymes. Hyperinsulinemia also may play a role in hepatic steatosis. ? Cholelithiasis: The presence of stones in the gallbladder. ? Early maturation: Characterized by adolescents with a skeletal age more than 3 months in advance of chronological age, and is associated with increased fatness in adulthood Less Common Medical Consequences of Overweight in Children ? Hypertension: Persistently elevated blood pressure occurs with low frequency in children. However, elevated blood pressure occurs approximately 9 times more frequently among children who are overweight compared to other children. Acute Complications of Overweight Acute complications of overweight are those that require immediate medical attention. Patients should be referred to a center that specializes in pediatric overweight where possible. ? Sleep apnea is the cessation of breathing lasting at least 10 seconds during sleep, characterized by loud snoring and labored breathing. ? Pseudotumor cerebri is characterized by increased pressure in the skull that causes headaches. It is a rare disorder. ? Obesity hypoventilation syndrome, also known as Pickwickian syndrome, may be a cause of sleep apnea, but this relationship remains unclear. Aggressive therapy is warranted for children with obesity hypoventilation syndrome. ? A variety of orthopaedic complications affecting the feet, legs, and hips can occur. Management of Overweight in Children and Adolescents Strategies used in a management plan for overweight are based on information obtained from the assessment. Weight loss is recommended only if complications such as hyperlipidemia or hypertension are identified or for children 7 years or older with a BMI-for-age at or above the 95th percentile. Otherwise, weight maintenance is recommended. Individualized recommendations. Each family has its own set of supports and stresses. Because success with weight management can be difficult to achieve, recommendations for change must consider the family's readiness for change, family support, financial concerns, and neighborhood characteristics (including access to play areas and grocery stores). Unless the situation is understood fully, recommendations for change may not be targeted appropriately. Treatment should begin early, involve the family, and institute permanent changes in a stepwise manner. Parenting skills are the foundation for successful intervention, which includes a gradual targeted increase in physical activity and targeted reductions in high-fat and high-calorie foods. So in the end, we need to focus not only on ourselves but the environments that are promoting this epidemic. As a colleague mentioned to me, to truly heal, the whole community must be involved. If we all sit back and wait for someone else to do something, nothing will ever be done. Yours in Health, Dr. Marshal Montgomery @ http://www.HealthyUnderstanding.com References1. The Bad News About Prevalence, the Good News About Treatments -- But Pay Attention to the Details, Linda Brookes, MSc ,Medscape Cardiology. 2005; 9 (1): 2005 Medscape. 2. Overweight Children and Adolescents: Recommendations for Screening, Assessment and Management, Authors: Barbara Polhamus, PhD, MPH, RD; Diane Thompson, MPH, RD; Sandra L. Benton-Davis, BS; Christopher M. Reinold, MPH, RD, LD; Comm. Laurence M. Grummer-Strawn, PhD; William Dietz, MD, PhD3. Prevention of Overweight and Obesity: Focus on Children and Adolescents, Patricia Markham Risica, DrPH, RD 4. Obesity, Jonathan Q. Purnell, M.D. 5.American College of Physicians Issues Guidelines for Obesity Management CME News Author: Laurie Barclay, MDCME Author: Charles Vega, MD, FAAFPAll were sourced from 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 is a commercial newsletter provided free by HealthyUnderstanding.com. For weight loss and other health care products go to http://www.road2health.net. For a quick BMI calculation go to http://www.road2health1.net. This newsletter may be distributed in its entirety without alteration. If you wish to use it in your publication, a copy of your publication would be appreciated. Please send it to DrM@healthyunderstanding.com Dr. M. Montgomery is the creator of http://www.healthyunderstanding.comand is a practicing Chiropractor in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan - 371 Kenderdine Rd, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 3S5.
MORE RESOURCES:
Google News |
RELATED ARTICLES
Myth: Gastric Bypass Patients Can Never Be Nutritionally Healthy A common claim from gastric bypass detractors is that after surgery patients can never be nutritionally healthy and they must take daily vitamin supplements just to survive.It is a mistaken notion that weight loss surgery patients cannot lead a nutritionally sound life. Weight Loss for Life - How to Overcome Speed Bumps! Yesterday evening my computer hard drive crashed. Resulting in the loss of at least six months worth of hard work. How High-Carb Diet Plans Treat Carbohydrates A number of popular diets are focused on carbohydrates. Some demonize them. Weight Loss: Goal-Setting for Success If you were going to travel to the other side of the world, you'd need to plan it. I mean, you're not going to just book a seat on a plane, take off and just take it all as it comes. The Miraculous Claims of the Zone Diet One way of recognizing a fad diet is said to be the promise of multiple miraculous effects upon health. And Zone diet promises a lot. Frankie The French Fry Hatches A Plan Frankie saddled up to the bar at the We-Stuff-Em-All Diner, official headquarters of Fat For A New America. He turned to his most portly friend, Bubba the Burger, and launched a tirade. Why You Should Burn Body Fat Are you overweight? Then you probably want to lose some weight. It is obvious that you'll burn body fat by increasing your metabolism. Hollywood Weight Loss Secrets - Movie Star Personal Trainer Tells All! In the early nineties I had the opportunity to work with some of the most famous movie stars in the world. As a manager and personal trainer of Kathy Smith's health club I experienced first hand the secrets to the stars. Emotional Eating Yesterday, out of the blue, without any foreboding gossip or rumor, the company I work for was taken over by a competitor. All afternoon we sat stunned and unnaturally quiet, trying to absorb what had happened and what it might mean to our future. The Art of Snacking to Lose Weight Control that sweet tooth. Remember that sweet things generally mean more calories. Rapid Weight Loss Tips - Lose Weight with the South Beach Diet It's the American Dream: "If I could just lose a little bit of weight.. How To Get Over A Weight Loss Plateau Everyone who has ever tried to lose weight has hit a plateau at some point. A plateau is that point at which no matter what you do, you cannot seem to lose any more. Empowerment and Self-Control - What it Really Takes to get Control of your Weight Chant the following each day, several times. They are mantras that will save your life -- The choice to do nothing is still a choice and yields nothing. Eating Habits That Can Help You Lose Weight And Stay That Way There are certain eating habits that can make you gain weight and make you lose weight. The tips below are design to help you lose weight:1. Want Power Before Will Power The problem isn't that you don't have enough will power to achieve what you want. You have will power, but it's not will power you need, it's want power. Diet: Are French Fries Really A Vegetable? The government, nutritionists, doctors, and dietitians implore us to eat 5 servings of vegetables a day. Considering that a serving is only half a cup, a decent-sized side of vegetables and a big salad does it for the day. The Crazy Amazing Diet Maker This past Christmas Season, as most of us stuffed our faces full of turkey and pies, a well respected weight loss expert from WebMD made some crazy remarks about ending obesity. Needless to say, the response to his rhetoric, despite the Christmas Season, was naughty not nice. Negative Calorie Foods FAQs What is negative calorie effect?Whatever food we eat, our body has to work hard to digest and absorb. There are certain foods that require more calories to digest than their own calories. Side Effects of The Famous Ephedra Product Ephedra has been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years. However, in the last decade, ephedra products have been thrust into the media spotlight given to high profile lawsuits, the FDA all encompassing ban, and the recent ban reversal. Tuna and Water Diet Ready for a hardcore diet to get lean in a matter of days? This diet is used by professional bodybuilders to prepare before the competition. It requires an iron willpower but guarantees 100% results. |
Section Site Map - Submit News - Feedback - Comments - Advertise with Us Copyright 2006 Luminati Inc. All rights reserved. |