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| Obesity is estimated to cost the economy over £5 million
a day in lost productivity. |
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Not much is known about the regulation
of appetite and the development of obesity. What is known is that
in most cases obesity is preventable. Only a small number of people
are believed to have a genetic disorder that causes them to overeat.
Obesity
Obesity affects more than one-quarter of all adults and one in five
children. The effects of the disease, in terms
of death, disability and morbidity are devastating. The health effects
of obesity are similar
or greater than smoking, problem drinking and
being poor.
Obesity in children and adolescents is a serious issue with
many health and social consequences that often continue into adulthood.
Implementing
prevention programs and getting a better understanding
of treatment for youngsters is important to controlling the obesity epidemic.
Research
is the key to understanding many of the complexities
of obesity. It is key to finding new effective therapies and strategies
for prevention.
Overweight and obesity are
a result of energy imbalance over a long period
of time. The cause of energy imbalance for each
individual may be due to a combination of several
factors.
Individual
behaviors, environmental factors, and genetics
all contribute to the complexity of the obesity
epidemic. Genetics and the environment may
increase the risk of personal weight gain. However,
the choices a person makes in eating and physical
activity also contributes to overweight
and obesity. Behavior can increase a person’s risk for gaining
weight. Looking back at the energy balance scale,
weight gain is a result of extra calorie consumption,
decreasing calories used (physical activity)
or both.
Overweight refers to increased
body weight in relation to height, when compared
to some standard of acceptable or desirable weight.
Overweight may or may not be due to increases in body fat.
It may also be due to an increase in lean muscle.
For example, professional athletes may be very
lean and muscular, with very little body fat,
yet they may weigh more than others of the same
height. While they may qualify as "overweight" due to their large muscle mass, they are not
necessarily "over fat," regardless of Body Mass Index (BMI).
Obesity is defined as
an excessively high amount of body fat in relation to lean body mass.
The amount of body fat includes concern for both the
distribution of fat throughout the body and the
size of fatty tissue deposits. Body fat distribution can be estimated
by skin-fold measures,
waist-to-hip circumference ratios, or techniques
such as ultrasound, computed tomography, or magnetic resonance imaging.
According
to the National Institute of Health of the U. S., all adults
(aged 18 years or older) who have a BMI of 25
or more are considered at risk for premature death and disability as
a consequence of overweight
and obesity. These health risks increase even
more as the severity of an individual's obesity increases. Health Consequences
of obesity and
overweight are associated with heart disease,
certain types of cancer, type 2 diabetes, stroke, arthritis, breathing
problems, and psychological
disorders, such as depression.
Solely having a BMI in the overweight or obese
range does not necessarily indicate that a person is unhealthy. Other
risk factors, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking,
diabetes, and personal and family medical history are important to consider
when assessing overall health.
Waist circumference is a common measure used
to assess abdominal fat content. The presence
of excess body fat in the abdomen, when out of proportion
to total body fat, is considered an independent
predictor of risk factors and ailments associated with obesity.
o Men are at risk who have a waist measurement greater than 40
inches (102 cm)
o Women are at risk who have a waist measurement greater than 35 inches (88 cm). |
What Can I Do To Control My Weight?
Our bodies need calories for daily functions such as breathing, digestion,
and daily activities. Weight gain occurs when calories consumed exceed
this need. Physical activity plays a key role in energy balance because
it uses up calories consumed. Regular physical activity is good for overall
health. Physical activity decreases the risk for colon cancer, diabetes,
and high blood pressure. It also helps to control weight, contributes
to healthy bones, muscles, and joints; reduces falls among the elderly;
and helps to relieve the pain of arthritis. Physical activity does not
have to be strenuous to be beneficial. Moderate physical activity such
as 30 minutes of brisk walking five or more times a week also has health
benefits.
The belief that physical activity is limited
to exercise or sports, may keep people from being active. Another myth
is that physical activity must be vigorous to achieve health benefits.
Physical activity is any bodily movement that results in an expenditure
of energy. Moderate-intensity activities such as household chores, gardening,
and walking can also provide health benefits. Confidence in one’s
ability to be active will help people make choices to adopt a physically
active lifestyle.
You don't need special skills or training to
be physically active. Walking is a great way to be active.
• Physical activity should be initiated slowly, and the intensity
should be increased gradually (e.g., start with a 10-minute walk
three times a week and work your way up to 30 minutes of brisk walking
or other form of moderate activity five times a week).
• Activities can be split into several short periods (e.g., 10 minutes
3 times a day) instead
of one longer period (e.g., 30 minutes once a day).
• You should select activities that you ENJOY and can fit into your daily
life.
• It may take time to incorporate more activity into your daily life. Don't
get discouraged if at first you miss a day or two; just keep trying and do your
best to make it a regular part of your life. You will soon realize how good it
feels to be physically active and fit.
• Ask for support from friends and family; likewise, support the people
in your life who are
trying to be physically active.
• Many forms of physical activity can be social,
allowing you to converse and spend time
with family or friends or to develop new relationships. |
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This information has been supplied to the BioTrax Volunteer Support Group in the interests of greater awareness and support of research volunteers by the :
Rockefeller University Hospital
http://www.rucares.org
Winner of 23 Nobel prizes
Clinical research studies may be conducted and are carefully designed to answer specific medical questions while protecting participants´ safety. Well conducted clinical trials are the fastest and safest way to find improved treatments and preventions for diseases. Clinical trials or interventional trials determine whether experimental preventions, treatments, or new ways of using known therapies are safe and effective under controlled conditions. Observational or natural history studies examine health issues and disease development in groups of people or populations . For more information on current clinical trials or to register on the BioTrax database, view the study section at www.biotrax.com .
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