Tuesday, July 29, 2008
WHEN ARE DIET PILLS RECOMMENDED?
The question of when and how diet pills should be used will be examined in later chapters. Overall, in carefully selectedpatients, a doctor may prescribe appropriate drugs to be used in conjunction with diet and exercise to achieve weight loss. The only drugs recommended for use by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) are those that have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). FDA-approved drugs have been studied and determined to be safe and effective for some, but not all, people.
STRATEGIES FOR WEIGHT LOSS AND WEIGHT MAINTENANCE
General approaches to weight loss include changing the diet and getting more exercise. Watching portion size is one of the first strategies a person can adopt to help reach a weight-loss goal. Also available for people looking to lose weight is a wide variety of reduced-fat
and low-calorie foods. Like other foods, these products must be eaten in moderation, but they offer an option that can easily be substituted into a person’s everyday diet. Finally, simple behavioral changes can help a person lose weight.Walking up a flight of stairs instead of using the elevator is exercise that can easily be incorporated into a person’s daily routine. There are many other ways that weight loss can occur.
and low-calorie foods. Like other foods, these products must be eaten in moderation, but they offer an option that can easily be substituted into a person’s everyday diet. Finally, simple behavioral changes can help a person lose weight.Walking up a flight of stairs instead of using the elevator is exercise that can easily be incorporated into a person’s daily routine. There are many other ways that weight loss can occur.
PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF OBESITY
WEIGHT LOSS GOALS
There is strong evidence that weight loss in overweight and obese individuals decreases their risk of diseases, such as heart conditions and diabetes. The general goals of weight loss and management are to reduce body weight, prevent further weight gain, and maintain a lower body weight over the long term. The initial goal of weight loss in an obese person should be to lose 10% of total body weight, which is manageable for most obese individuals. Once achieved, the 10% weight loss is often easy to maintain. For example, a 300-pound (136-kg)person should initially strive to lose 30 pounds (66 kg). This weight loss should occur over approximately six months. The target should be lose ½ to 2 lbs (0.2 to 1 kg) per week to achieve the initial weight loss goal over six months. Studies have proven that this seemingly small amount of weight loss can have a substantial effect on lowering the risk of developing or worsening diabetes and heart disease. After six months, tactics to maintain weight loss hould be put into place. If more weight loss is needed, another attempt at weight reduction can be made. Adults should work to attain a BMI lower than 25 kg/m2. Any additional decrease in BMI, however, will reduce the overall health risks. It is best for individuals to consult their doctor or health-care professional before embarking on any weight loss plan.
There is strong evidence that weight loss in overweight and obese individuals decreases their risk of diseases, such as heart conditions and diabetes. The general goals of weight loss and management are to reduce body weight, prevent further weight gain, and maintain a lower body weight over the long term. The initial goal of weight loss in an obese person should be to lose 10% of total body weight, which is manageable for most obese individuals. Once achieved, the 10% weight loss is often easy to maintain. For example, a 300-pound (136-kg)person should initially strive to lose 30 pounds (66 kg). This weight loss should occur over approximately six months. The target should be lose ½ to 2 lbs (0.2 to 1 kg) per week to achieve the initial weight loss goal over six months. Studies have proven that this seemingly small amount of weight loss can have a substantial effect on lowering the risk of developing or worsening diabetes and heart disease. After six months, tactics to maintain weight loss hould be put into place. If more weight loss is needed, another attempt at weight reduction can be made. Adults should work to attain a BMI lower than 25 kg/m2. Any additional decrease in BMI, however, will reduce the overall health risks. It is best for individuals to consult their doctor or health-care professional before embarking on any weight loss plan.
SOCIAL ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH OBESITY
Anyone who has watched an episode of Friends or The OC has seen the glorified ideal of being thin; the characters are extremely thin and ultimately many people who watch the show are inclined to want to lose weight, even if they do so in harmful ways. Unrealistic and unhealthy ideals of thinness are presented everywhere in the media—particularly in movies, television, and magazines. These images compel many people to try tactics (both conventional and unconventional) to lose weight, firm up, and match these ideals.
In large part because of the “thinner is better” message put forth by the media, obese individuals experience social and emotional stress because of their weight. In the United States, Canada, and other Westernized societies, there are powerful messages that people should be thin and that overweight individuals have poor self-control. Negative attitudes toward obese people may lead to discrimination in employment or college acceptance, even though this kind of discrimination is illegal. Some obese people, particularly adolescents, may experience an increased incidence of depression and emotional stress.
Teens may also have a poor self-image and feelings of isolation, as well as directed messages of negativity from peers.
In large part because of the “thinner is better” message put forth by the media, obese individuals experience social and emotional stress because of their weight. In the United States, Canada, and other Westernized societies, there are powerful messages that people should be thin and that overweight individuals have poor self-control. Negative attitudes toward obese people may lead to discrimination in employment or college acceptance, even though this kind of discrimination is illegal. Some obese people, particularly adolescents, may experience an increased incidence of depression and emotional stress.
Teens may also have a poor self-image and feelings of isolation, as well as directed messages of negativity from peers.
HEALTH RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH OBESITY
Obesity is currently the second leading cause of preventable death in the United States. Being overweight and obese can contribute to death by causing or worsening many different
diseases, including but not limited to:
diseases, including but not limited to:
- High blood pressure;
- High cholesterol (overweight individuals often havehigher levels of “bad” cholesterol and lower levels of“good” cholesterol);
- Obstructive sleep apnea (a condition where a person maystop breathing for a period of time while sleeping);
- Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis;
- Certain types of cancer, including breast, esophageal,stomach, colorectal, endometrial, and kidney cancer;
- In women: menstrual disturbances, infertility problems,and an increased incidence of birth defects in children;
- Increased daytime sleepiness and heat intolerance;
- Obesity may also contribute to gallbladder disease, gout,breathing problems, increased incidence of infections,liver diseases, and increased pain, especially in the lowerback and knees.
BODY MASS INDEX (BMI)
The body mass index (BMI) is a number calculated from a person’s weight and height that can be used to estimate his or her level of body fat. A person is classified as healthy, overweight,
or obese based on his or her BMI. The BMI value can be helpful in assessing the health risks a person may face because he or she is carrying too much weight.
or obese based on his or her BMI. The BMI value can be helpful in assessing the health risks a person may face because he or she is carrying too much weight.
DEFINITION OF OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY
Most people believe someone is obese if they look “fat.” This is not true. Health-care professionals and scientists have developed specific definitions for the words overweight and obese.Overweight and obesity are not determined solely by an individual’s weight, but are defined in terms of a person’s weight relative to his or her height. Doctors and researchers use a special set of measurements and mathematical formulas to determine whether a person is overweight or obese.
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