Ten Important Things to Know Before You Join a Weight Loss Program

1. What is my BMI and how do I calculate it?

BMI means Body Mass Index. The value is associated with body fat and health risks.

Healthy weight is defined as a BMI equal to or greater than 19 and less than 25 among all people aged 20 or over. Between 25 and 29.9 is considered overweight; more than 30 is considered obese.

To determine body mass index: [Weight in pounds ÷ Height in inches ÷ Height in inches] x 703.

Fractions and ounces must be entered as decimal values.

The metric formula is: BMI= Body Weight(kg)/height(m)2. Remember that: 2.2 lbs.=1 kg and 39.4 ins.=1m.

For example, if you are 1.75 M tall and weigh 80 kg. , your BMI will be = 80/1.75X1.75 = 26.122, i.e. slightly overweight (Always keep in mind that "obesity" is defined as a BMI greater than 30)

2. What are carbs, proteins, fats?

Carbohydrates provide your body with its basic fuel, very much like a car engine and gasoline. Glucose goes directly into the cells, which convert it into the energy they need.

There are two types of carbohydrates:

Simple carbohydrates (also called "sugars" on food package labels): glucose etc.

Complex carbohydrates ("starches"), made up of chains of glucose molecules, which is simply a way plants store glucose.

Starches can be found in great quantities in most grains (wheat, corn, oats, rice) and things like potatoes and plantains.

Your digestive system breaks a starch back down into its component glucose molecules so that the glucose can enter your bloodstream.

Carbohydrates provide cells with energy, proteins provide cells with the building material they need to grow and maintain their structure.

Protein can be found in both animal and vegetable foods. Most animal sources (meat, milk, eggs) provide "complete protein": they contain all of the essential amino acids.

Fats are also an important part of our diet. Many foods contain fat in different amounts. High-fat foods include dairy products like butter and cream as well as mayonnaise and oils.

There are two kinds of fats: saturated and unsaturated.

Fat is necessary because: the only way to get certain fat-soluble vitamins is to eat fat, your body has no way to make certain essential fats, so you must get them in your food.

Another reason is that fat is a good source of energy, in fact it contains twice as many calories per gram as do carbohydrates or proteins. Your body can burn fat as fuel when necessary

3. What else does my body need?

Mainly vitamins and minerals. These can be found in various foods, fruits, etc..It seems the "Standard Western Diet" is deficient in vitamins and minerals. This has led to the creation of vitamin and mineral supplements.

4. What are the dangers of being overweight (too fat)?

When it gets to a certain level, overweight becomes "obesity", which has been described as "a serious, chronic disease that is known to reduce life span, increase disability and lead to many serious illnesses including diabetes, heart disease and stroke, cancer, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, gall bladder disease, gout."

5. What exactly is Atkins diet?

Dr. Atkins diet, first introduced in 1972, is strictly focused on limiting carbohydrate consumption.

That is why it is called a low-carb, high-protein diet or sometimes simply a low-carb diet, together with other diets such as South Beach Diet, Protein Power Diet etc...

A.M.Sall invites you to cash in on his 30 years experience as a professional medical translator and say goodbye forever to all your Health, Beauty and Wellness problems!
http://www.health-beauty-wellness.com/10.htm

3 Ways 'Going with the Flow' Will Make You Fat - And What To Do About It!

Wanna know the truth?

If you're going to be slim, you're going to have to swim against the current. You're going to have to take charge of your body and make your own decisions... cause if you go with the flow today, I guarantee that you're going to be fat.

Here are 3 reasons why:

#1) Rampant Portion Sizes

'Supersize it', 'Biggie Fries', 'Value Meal', 'Super Big Gulp' - phrases that we use so commonly, it's hard to believe that we'd have to explain what they mean to someone from another era.

Restaurants have blown their portion sizes so big in the name of providing 'value' that one meal could feed a small soccer team.

Considering that your stomach is roughly the size of your fist (but thank goodness it stretches!), the portion sizes you get today in the average restaurant could probably fill 5 or more stomachs.

But we're told to get our money's worth right?

So go ahead and eat up. That way you can spend your money going to the doctor for obesity related health problems later. That's truly getting your money's worth!

#2) Escalator Generation

Go with the flow and you'll enjoy a multitude of worldly conveniences. You can microwave your dinner in 5 minutes, load your dishwasher in 2 and pay the dog walker in 1.

You don't have to walk to the store - just hop in the car. Your kids don't have to go swimming - they've got a new Xbox game. Don't bother taking the stairs because there's an elevator.

You can sit at a desk for long hours without even getting up from your chair. And when you do come home from work - you have the luxury of flopping on the couch and watching 'Friends' while eating takeout.

Go with the flow my friend and you'll expend less energy while eating more. Oh - and you'll also be told that taking a pill is the only way to solve the problem of your ever-increasing waistline.

One of the best photographs I ever saw was of the front of a gym. There was a staircase leading up to the gym with an escalator beside it. And you guessed it - people were taking the escalator UP to the gym! The only guy on the stairs was walking DOWN them. That pretty much sums up the problem.

#3) Fad Diets

Fad diets are everywhere. The very concept of eating one food group for 2 weeks - just so you can fit into that little black dress - and then go back to old eating habits, is insane.

And yet we do it. There are books that tell us how, programs that teach us how, and we fall for it. We want to make temporary changes to get lasting results. This is a set-up for gaining and keeping extra weight.

While a well-balanced (not fad), nutritionally sound diet can help you kick start your weight loss, if you want to feel better and keep the weight off, you're going to have to be prepared to make some permanent changes to your lifestyle. You will be better off, healthier, and yes - thinner so you won't have to go on a crazy fad diet to get into that little black dress.

Unfortunately, if you 'go with the flow' in our world today, chances are very high that you're going to get fat. BUT by knowing what you're up against, you can take steps to swim against the current. You can get serious, take charge and make positive choices for your body - you can live slim and healthy in a world skewed towards weight gain.

Kathryn O'Neill writes for Diet Home Delivery a website offering in-depth reviews and ratings of Diet Delivery services.

For more information including which services offer free meals and deliver to your area, visit http://www.DietDeliveryReviews.com

Stress Causing People to "Super Size"

It is currently reported that two out of three adults is either overweight or obese, and the numbers continue to climb. As a result, statistics demonstrate that a significant portion of our population is being diagnosed with chronic conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease. Even more shocking is that we are experiencing these conditions at earlier ages than previously reported. It is not unusual today, to hear about a young person in their 20’s diagnosed with mature onset diabetes, normally developed during middle-age.

On May 7, 2004, a controversial and award-winning movie aimed at exploring the obesity epidemic hit theatres. In “Super Size Me”, a tongue-in-cheek look at the legal, financial and physical costs of our hunger for fast food, filmmaker Morgan Spurlock explores the horrors of school lunch programs, declining health education and physical education classes, food addictions and the extreme measures people take to lose weight. As a centerpiece of the film, Spurlock puts his own body on the line, living on nothing but McDonald's for 30 days following three rules:

1) Eat only what is available over the counter
2) No supersizing unless offered
3) Consume every item on the menu at least once

In the end, Spurlock has a weight gain of 24 pounds and experiences harrowing visits to the doctor. The issues that are explored in “Super Size Me” beg the question, what has changed in our environment to cause this obesity problem to reach epidemic proportions? Furthermore, what is causing people to overeat as we do?

A groundbreaking study, reported in 2003 by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, found that between 1977 and 1996, portion sizes for key food groups grew markedly in the United States, not only at fast-food restaurants but also in homes and at conventional restaurants. In particular, portion sizes for salty and sugary foods, essentially, “comfort foods” experienced the most dramatic portion size increases. For example, the USDA's recommended serving size for a cookie is half an ounce, while the average cookie sold in restaurants was found to be 700% larger.

The by-products of our affluent American society, envied by many around the world, have a definite dark side, our obesity rate, for starters. In a culture where more is better and disposable income is abundant, when it comes to eating we have developed a “more food, more conveniently and more often” attitude.

Stress: A Pre-Cursor to Obesity

Certainly, no one forces us to eat more than our body needs, so what is driving this “hunger” for more? Over the last two decades, almost proportionally to the dramatic increase of food consumed and chronic disease diagnoses, the amount of stress in our society and on each of us individually has increased significantly. Stress is the term medical researcher Hans Selye, M.D., PhD, gave to the experience our bodies go through when we have to adjust or adapt to the various changes our bodies experience during the course of the day. While many of us think of stress in relationship to emotional states, many other factors can exert an equally detrimental effect on our bodies as well. When we do not get enough sleep or rest, work or exercise too much, nutritional status, have an infection, have allergies, injuries or trauma, undergo dental or surgical procedures, have emotional upsets, or deal with any aspect of reproductive function such a pregnancy, menopause, etc., our bodies must chemically and neurologically adapt in order to survive. Part of this adaptation process relies heavily on the nutrition that is available for the kidney’s adrenal glands to produce the adaptive hormones. It is often this aspect of stress that can lead to overeating, and what’s more, overeating the types of foods that cause unhealthy weight gain.

How it works

Thanks to the work of M.I.T. Professor Judith Wurtman, Ph.D. and others we now understand the significant role that a neurotransmitter or “chemical messenger” called Serotonin plays in producing our cravings for complex carbohydrates and sugars, two of the largest contributors to unhealthy weight gain. Serotonin along with other neurotransmitters, are produced by our bodies as "feel good" hormones. Under stress, we do not have enough of these hormones and we become motivated to "self-sooth" by behaviors that lead to the increase of Serotonin. Overeating of carbohydrate and fatty-rich foods or “comfort foods” such as cookies, ice cream, etc. significantly increases these hormones. Many addictions such as smoking, alcohol, and drugs are also attempts to self-sooth and increase Serotonin, but no other addictive or unhealthy behavior is as socially acceptable and as easily available as over eating. We can do it anywhere, anytime, alone or with company. It is no wonder we have such a love affair with eating.

In addition, our bodies need for certain nutrients, specifically protein, Vitamins A, C, and E, unsaturated fatty acids, cholesterol, and minerals, skyrocket when we are “adapting” under stress. Often, if we do not stop the stress cycle or do not appropriately supplement these nutrients, we can turn to overeating to satisfy the body’s demands for the fuel it needs to keep dealing with the stress we are experiencing.

For a period of time, foods that comfort, sooth or supplement can make us feel calmer until our level of Serotonin drops again or until we become more exhausted and need to feed ourselves, yet again. Then, we start the cycle all over and consume more carbohydrate and fatty rich foods until we feel better. This is the cycle of self-medication or self-soothing practiced in homes, offices, restaurants, automobiles and yes, even bathrooms across America. The long-term effect of such behaviors, apart from obesity and escalating chronic diseases, is that our nervous systems are being hyper-stimulated. Anxiety, exhaustion, depression, overeating and insomnia are just a few of the symptoms we experience when our nervous systems are working on overload.

As a result, it is no wonder that within the last year, low-carbohydrate diets have proven effective for so many people. Approximately 20% of Americans or 20 million people are currently on a low-carb diet. For many of us, our stress level is a major factor in the over consumption of carbohydrates, therefore reducing or eating normal amounts of carbohydrates is spawning weight loss. The real issue, however, is how long can we reduce are carbohydrate loading without reducing our stress levels and the behaviors that create elevated stress in the first place?

Causes of Stress

Prior to the early 1970’s, the majority of family units were structured as a one wage earner household where the male worked and the female stayed at home, taking care of the house and family. Driven largely by social and socio-economic factors, all of that has changed. Now, the overwhelming majority of families include both parents working and we find ourselves on a treadmill of more work, more responsibilities, more demands and non-stop scheduling that has many of us in a state of physical and, at times, emotional exhaustion.

Added to the mix is our competitive culture, which often leads to isolation or a “them against us” thinking. Isolation of this nature causes additional “hidden” stress. A Hindu Vendata truth is that “the whole world is one family”. It is said that there is only one disease, the disease of separateness; separating oneself from the awareness that as members of the human family, we are one living organism. The drama created by a “one-up” or “one-down” dynamic, that we find in competitive societies, can lead to the exhaustion and the psychosocial behavioral issues which can contribute to overeating.

Understanding Exhaustion and its’ Effect on Obesity

The tipping point at which our bodies can no longer compensate or adapt from the stress it is under, is based in large part on the threshold of nutritional competency and the state of integrity of our nervous system. When our central nervous system, which governs every cell in our body and makes life possible, is not working efficiently, we have a decrease in bodily function and the ability to adapt to the world we live in. Chronic Fatigue Syndromes, CFS, are rampant in our culture today and growing at an alarming rate because of the over stimulation and increased demands placed on our nervous systems. Add to this inadequate nutrition and a decreased ability of our bodies to digest and absorb properly because of the stress, and we see the foundation of the epidemic of chronic diseases being currently reported.

What is so shocking for us, as Americans, is that while we live in one of the most affluent societies ever to exist on earth and have one of the most technologically advanced medical systems we are raked at approximately twenty-sixth in the world health Olympics. This is not the failure of our medical system, but in fact, the failure to live in our bodies mindfully and respectfully, taking time for rest, proper nutrition, reflection, intimacy with self and others and serving the common good of society. It is this imbalance that leads us to chronic stress, which leads to physical and, if you will, spiritual exhaustion that is producing the levels of chronic diseases and the rampant obesity we see today.

Self-Esteem and Health

We have an innate understanding of how we need to choose to live to be healthy.

Yet, adages about health i.e., “early to be, early to rise, makes a man healthy wealthy and wise”, are often ignored in place of our instant gratification or immediate comfort.

Physical labor has taken a back seat to “mind work”, and today we work harder than ever before to have the money to buy a membership to a gym or spa so we can do the physical exercise we need to be healthy and attractive. However, rarely do we actually have the time to go to the gym we pay membership fees to. Statistically, the average gym membership is used for the first 4 – 6 weeks after signing up and then falls off dramatically. Workout facilities count on this phenomenon when planning their recruitment and enrollment numbers. Likewise, diet plans and weight loss centers know that 90% or more of their customers will continue to have body weight issues, in spite of their best efforts to re-direct to a different way of eating. Why?

The Oprah Syndrome

One of the most powerful, successful people in the world, Oprah Winfrey is a brilliant example of the “super size” syndrome in our culture. With every possible service, care and expert available to her, Oprah has continued to struggle with significant weight gain and loss for many years. In 2001, a chart published in a popular magazine, documents her weight gain and loss over the previous 20 years. Even during the height of her popularity and professional success, her body weight rose to dangerously elevated levels. The reasons most of us give for not taking care of ourselves include; not having enough time to shop for or cook the right foods; not being sure what’s best for our body type; not enough money for domestic help so we can exercise, meditate or relax; stress over money and achieving success. Oprah is an individual who has more than enough money and success to eliminate all those concerns, yet in spite of that she still does not consistently maintain a proper body weight.

Driven by personal history and ambition, Oprah offers a perfect example of the potential outcome of Serotonin driven self-soothing, which invites us to ask and answer questions about self-esteem and self care. When we understand the relationship between our unconscious mind, our self-esteem and the serotonin connection, it becomes quite clear that what is at the core of our “super sizing” is not solved by the “diet of the month” or the next “how to” bestseller. Rather, an examination of our personal worldview, our ego state, our treatment and regard for nature and for others, what we value, what we believe in, how much we consume and how much we accumulate. When these aspects of self are aligned with choices that lead to moderation rather than ambition, that produce balance rather than extremes, that debunk the thinking that “more is better”, we then select the foods we innately know are healthy, even when we must choose from the fast food menu.

In a culture comprised of 5% of the world population, using 75% of the world’s resources, we have come to accept excess as a way of life and a standard to subscribe to. In the 1980’s, Robin Leach’s television show, “Life Styles of the Rich and Famous”, tainted our appetites for a standard of over consumption that has brought us to where we are today – obese and chronically diseased.

Take a Tip from the Gurus

Eastern philosophies offer us an opportunity to re-think our approach to the way we live. Quite opposite from our “in your face” attitude of self-manifestation, Eastern wisdom invites us to ponder, “how much do I really need; to do; to have; to eat; to own; to control; to be content with my life; and what is the role of gratitude in my life?” Shouldn’t having a calm, well functioning nervous system, the source of all life in the body, be a main objective for all of us instead of trying to trick the body into doing what we want with the latest diet craze or vitamin pills available?

Change the Question

It may be time to change the questions we not only ask ourselves, but the questions we are asked as consumers. Maybe, if when making his fast food purchases, Morgan Spurlock was asked the question “super size or down size, sir?” the choices he might have made could have resulted in significant weight loss rather than weight gain, but then Spurlock would not have a movie to make, or the millions that will be realized from it.

Georgianna Donadio D.C., M.Sc., Ph.D., has conducted a private practice in Whole Person Care since 1976. She is the Founder and Director of The New England School of Whole Health Education, the pioneer of Whole Health Education and a provider of patient and healthcare professional education since 1977. For more information, visit http://www.wholehealtheducation.org [out] or call 1-888-354-HEAL (4325).

The World Health Organisation and Cancer - A Summary

A summary of what The World Health Organisation (W.H.O.) have discovered about cancer from scientific research:

Cancer is largely preventable: by stopping smoking, providing healthy food and avoiding the exposure to carcinogens.

Some of the most frequent cancer types are curable by surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy. The chance of cure increases substantially if cancer is detected early.

Quality of life of cancer patients and their families can be greatly improved by the provision of palliative care.

Cancer control is a public health approach aimed at reducing causes and consequences of cancer by translating our knowledge into practice.

Recommendations from the World Health Organisation concerning cancer include action in the following areas:

minimising or eliminating exposure to cancer causes

reducing individual susceptibility to the effects of these causes

serving the greatest public health potential

identifying the most cost-effective long-term cancer control

tobacco control

obesity control

control of composition of the diet

control of consumption of alcoholic beverages

The World Health Organisation sees cancer prevention programmes as part of integrated, national strategies. The risks they identify for cancer above are common to all noncommunicable diseases including heart, diabetes and respiratory problems. Prevention programmes for all chronic diseases are able to use the same surveillance and health promotion techniques. According to WHO recognised causes of cancer include:

occupational and environmental exposure to a number of chemicals

links between a number of infections and certain types of cancer

parasitic infection schistosomiasis

exposure to some forms of ionising radiation

excessive ultraviolet radiation

W.H.O. treatment priorities

Early detection improves chances of survival, but WHO stress ‘only when linked to effective treatment’. The WHO want to increase our awareness of the signs and symptoms of cancer and help set up regular screening of apparently healthy individuals.

Accurate diagnosis of cancer is the first step to effective management. Care of cancer patients starts with recognition of some kind of abnormality in the body, followed by a visit to a health care facility for diagnosis. Once a diagnosis is confirmed then the disease is ‘staged’. The patient might be referred to a specialist cancer treatment centre.

Orthodox treatment for the cancer is likely to involve a mixture of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormonal therapy and surgery. The primary objectives of cancer treatment are: cure, the prolongation of life and improvement of the quality of life.

Survival rates

Survival rates in standard treatments vary according to the variety of cancer. For example the advanced treatment of cancer of the uterine corpus, breast, testis, and melanoma may produce a 5-year survival rate of 75% or more. Survival rates in cancer of the pancreas, liver, stomach, and lung are generally less than 15%. Because of the nature of cancer, many patients present themselves with advanced disease. The only realistic treatment for these patients is pain relief and palliative care. For insurance purposes, cancer is often regarded as incurable.

This is an extract from 'Don't Get Cancer'a new ebook available only at: http://www.simonthescribe.co.uk/don'tget1.html

Low Fat Fallacy

I guess we all know that obesity is at epidemic levels. It's drummed into us from all angles. Isn't it strange that we have the biggest range of low-fat foods available but we keep getting fatter?

Isn't somebody going to stand up and say "It hasn't worked"?

In the 70's and 80's we were told that fat was the enemy, and carbohydrates were good. The USDA Healthy Food Pyramid had carbs as the base (6-11 servings per day). There was however, little mention of the quality of these carbohydrates.

Manufacturers were quick to respond, and began bringing out "Low Fat", "Fat-Free", and "Lite" versions of various food products. These are generally the biggest selling items, and have resulted in lot's of clever marketing tactics - in fact anything to make the consumer feel guilty, and look for the "Fat-Free" option.

Milk - Is Whole Milk Really That Bad?

Most of our modern milk undergoes the process of homogenisation. This process forces the fat globules into an atomiser (i.e. tiny holes) that will form tiny particles. These particles are then evenly dispersed throughout the milk, giving the milk a uniform appearance. Most of our low fat, trim, super-trim milks are created using this process.

However, recent research has shown that structural changes do occur in the homogenisation process. In unhomogenised milk, an enzyme called xanthine oxidase would pass throught the digestive system, and be secreted harmlessly through the bowel. The homogenisation process allows this enzyme to enter the bloodstream.

Some researchers are saying the enzyme attacks the issues of our heart and arteries, encouranging an increase in cholesterol levels!

Low Fat Hasn't Worked

The evidence of the last twenty years, is showing us that just choosing a low-fat version of a food is not helping us lose weight. In fact, we need to question, the processes that go on to make certain foods "low fat".

Many blame a high amount of refined carbohydrates (white flours, sugars) as having an impact on our weight problem.

Why Are We So Fat?

More and more evidence is showing that we eat too much, and exercise too little. Our lifestyles are very sedentary, and portion size has increased. The US Center for Disease Control (CDC) has concluded that "we eat a lot – a whole lot more than we used to, and most of the increase comes from refined carbohydrates (sugar)."

In the 1970's the average person ate 136 pounds of flour and cereal products per year and now it's up to 200 pounds. The increase is almost all from processed, white flour, high sugar foods. In addition, everything has been super-sized. Example: 1955 McDonald's French fries – 2.4 ounces, 210 calories. 2004 Super size Fries – 7 ounces, 610 calories.

What's The Answer?

Don't get too hung up complex nutrient ratios told to you by the latest diet book. You need to find what works for you and your body. It's a process of trial and error. Start with a diet, then keep working at it until you find what is best for you and your health.

Try to eat whole unprocessed food where possible, and eat little and often to regulate your energy levels. Go easy on all the refined foods - it's hard - because everywhere you go - most of the food is made from cheap refined flours and base products.

Also try to get out and stretch your legs more often.

http://www.freedieting.com is a resource for everything concerning losing weight. Independent reviews of popular diets, free diet plans, and articles taking a serious look at the causes and solution of weight problems.

This article is available for reprint in your ezine or website. No changes should be made, and all links left in tact. (c) 2004 http://www.FreeDieting.com. All Rights Reserved

Calcium - The Key To Quick Weight Loss

Are you dieting your way to bone loss?

Are you aware that the diet you follow may be depleting your bones of essential nutrients and increasing your chances of developing osteoporosis? Popular diets may promise quick weight loss, but calcium and other important nutrients are often missing from the menu, which can lead to bone loss.

And women who consistently limit what they eat to avoid gaining weight may undermine the health of their bones, according to a study by ARS researchers in California. (1)

The study looked at the eating behavior of women between the ages of 18 and 50 and found that those classified as "restrained eaters" had significantly lower bone mineral density and bone mineral content (key indicators of overall bone strength and health) than women who said they weren't concerned about what they ate.

"Exercise and eating a well-balanced diet with adequate calcium, are two of the best ways to keep your bones strong and healthy." advise the researchers.

Calcium is not only good for your bones but can help you maintain a healthy, low fat diet too. There has been increasing media coverage about numerous studies showing that a diet rich in calcium helps reduce body fat.

Why is calcium important in weight loss?

Calcium is a fat burner. High-calcium diets seem to favor burning rather than storing fat. Researchers say this is because calcium stored in fat cells plays an important role in fat storage and breakdown.

Calcium changes the efficiency of weight loss . In fact, study after study has shown that the people with the highest calcium intake overall weighed the least, and the people with the lowest calcium intake had the highest percentage of body fat. (2,3,4)

When overall calorie consumption is accounted for, calcium not only helps keep weight in check, but can be associated specifically with decreases in body fat. A low daily calcium intake is associated with greater tendency to gain weight, particularly in women. (5)

Researchers found that adolescent girls who consumed more calcium weighed less and had less body fat than girls who consumed the same amount of calories from other sources. (6)

Previous studies have shown that a higher calcium intake can block body fat production in adults and preschool children (7), but this was one of the first studies to show that it might have the same effect in body-conscious preteen and teenage girls.

But aren't dairy products fattening?

Some dieters consider dairy products to be fattening, but the evidence suggests the opposite is true.

Consumption of calcium-rich dairy foods can actually help to reduce and prevent obesity. Over 20 recent studies show that milk products actually contribute to weight loss.

A new study in obese adults, presented at the First Annual Nutrition Week Conference, showed that increasing calcium intake by the equivalent of two dairy servings per day could reduce the risk of obesity by as much as 70 percent. (8)

The study provided clinching evidence that calcium in low-fat dairy products can help adjust your body's fat-burning machinery and help keep your weight under control.

In another study, obese subjects placed on a high-calcium diet, with yogurt as the calcium source, showed markedly greater fat loss than those on a low-calcium diet. (9)

Numerous studies have shown that dairy calcium is more effective in reducing body fat than other forms of calcium. (10)

Why does diary calcium work so well?

Researchers believe that other nutrients found in milk products act in synergy with calcium to reduce fat more efficiently.

Glycomacropeptides (found in whey proteins derived from milk) in particular, are known to create feelings of satiety and fullness and decrease food intake. (11,12,13)

Foods that are a good source of calcium include cheese, milk, ice cream, baked beans and other dried legumes, dried figs, broccoli, most dark-green leafy vegetables, and soft fish bones like those in canned salmon.

Disclaimer: If you are under 18, pregnant, nursing or have health problems, consult your physician before starting any weight loss plan. The information here is not provided by medical professionals and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your physician before beginning any course of treatment.

References:

1. April 1999; Agricultural Research magazine
2. Zemel MB et al. [2000. FASEB J 14:1132-1138.]
3. Zemel MB. 2002. [J Am Coll Nutr 21: 146S-151S.]
4. Shi H et al. [2001. FASEB J 5:291-293.]
5. Jacqmain M et al. [2003. Am J Clin Nutr 77:1448-1452.]
6. Novotny R et al. [2003. Poster Presentation, Experimental Biology Meeting, April, San Diego, CA.]
7. Carruth BR and Skinner JD. [2001. T Int J Obesity Relat Metab Disord 25:559-566.]
8. Zemel MB et al. [Obes Res. 2004 Apr;12(4):582-90.]
9. Zemel MB et al. [2003. FASEB J A1088:679.3]
10. Heaney, R.P., Davies, K.M., Barger-Lux, M.J. [Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 21(2), 2002, pages 152S-155S.]
11. Gibbs J, Young RC, Smith GP.J Comp [Physiol Psychol 1973 Sep;84(3):488-95]
12. Della-Fera MA, Baile CA, Schneider BS, Grinker JA. [Science 1981 May 8;212(4495):687-9]
13. Della-Fera MA, Baile CA. [Physiol Behav 1981 Jun;26(6):979-83]

Copyright © 2004 Priya Shah

Priya Shah is the Editor of The Glutathione Report and the webmaster of http://www.1whey2health.com
Visit Natural Weight Loss Tips for more articles, tips and resources on weight loss.

The Connection Between Technology And Childhood Obesity

Today, it is hard to imagine life without a computer or television and other electronic gadgets that have become so commonplace since the advent of modern technology that it is leaving us and our children with little time to enjoy nature and the outdoors. Not so long ago, parents derived much pleasure from seeing their kids cavorting in the outdoors beneath the sun or climbing trees and remaining somewhat more active than the kids of today who have found a virtual world in which to remain engrossed. Thus, technology and childhood obesity are closely related because we have now become accustomed to having our eyes glued to the computer screen or television screen and are otherwise taken up with different forms of electronic entertainment.

Boob-Tube And More Boob-Tube

The new lifestyle that has taken over our children's lives leaves little time for them to exercise, go out and remain otherwise active and it is far removed from the lifestyle our parents enjoyed many years ago. Along with the sedentary life that our children have become accustomed to, technology and childhood obesity have become closely intertwined and our concern for our health has also taken a backseat as the life in front of the boob-tube continues to take up all of our children's time at the expense of their health.

It is thus imperative to understand the reason why technology and childhood obesity are going hand in hand, and when one considers the fact that child obesity has gone up by more than three times in the recent past, the problem has actually now reached epidemic proportions and it seems that now we are breeding obesity in our homes as we are letting our children spend all of their time in front of the television or other electronic devices.

The fact is that when we and our children sit immobile for hours on end watching television or working on the computer or playing video games, we neglect to exercise and along with a diet consisting of sodas and fast foods are breeding obesity like never before. Thus, technology and childhood obesity are causing our children to eat more, exercise less and live sedentary lifestyles which is a cocktail that only serves up more obese children in our population today.

No doubt, there are a number of other factors too that contribute to obesity, but television is a prime example of how technology and childhood obesity combine to the detriment of our health. Staying glued to the television will mean a lack of exercise, focusing on excessive eating followed by an unhealthy lifestyle and thus contributing to furthering the incidence of obesity in our children.

Television and the computer are prime examples of how technology and childhood obesity are making kids do things that are bad for them and if you want your kid to not become obese, you should discourage him from watching too much television, which is a major reason why children become obese, and to also address obesity as a health problem which needs to be addressed and not to consider obesity as merely being a problem with how the child looks.

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Development of Obesity

The body consists of 30 to 40 billion adipose cells (fat cells) that provide storage space for extra energy. Adipose cells may be viewed as collapsible, thin ­ walled containers with unlimited storage capacities. In prehistoric times large fat stores developed when food was available in spring and summer, and this proved biologically advantageous when winters were long and harsh and food was scarce. Energy stored in fat cells could be tapped for use later. This is not the case today. Food is available year-round for most Americans and addition to food stores rather than maintenance is not advantageous.

Obesity occurs when adipose cells increase excessively in size (hypertrophy) and/or number (hyperplasia). Obesity that results from an increase in the size of fat cells is hypertrophic, obesity that results from an increase in the number of fat cells is hyperplastic, and obesity that results from an increase in both is hypertrophic/hyperplastic.

Adipose cells follow a normal pattern of growth and development. When obesity develops in infancy or childhood the person develops more adipose cells and each cell grows greatly, resulting in hypertrophic/hyperplastic obesity. When obesity develops in adulthood (adult onset obesity), the person usually ends up with a normal number of adipose cells, but each cell contains a large amount of fat . In extreme cases adult-onset obesity can be both hyperplastic and hypertrophic. Once developed, fat cells do not disappear in the adult state.

Adipose cells have a long life span. If adult obesity is both hypertrophic and hyperplastic, is it more difficult to lose weight than if adult obesity is due to hypertrophy alone? Some evidence indicates that an increased number of fat cells increases the body's reluctance to reduce fat stores. The needs of adipose cells may require that they store at least nominal amounts of fat. More fat cells would then result in more fat storage, complicating efforts to lose weight. The longer a person remains obese, the more difficult it is to correct the problem.

Gender differences in depositing fat become noticeable during and after puberty. Men distribute fat primarily in the upper half of the body, and women tend to deposit it in the lower half. The percentage of fat in the body reaches peak values during early adolescence for boys and then declines during the remainder of adolescent growth. Girls experience a continuous increase in the percentage of fat from the onset of puberty to age.

From approximately 2 years of age, obese children develop a greater number of fat cells than children of normal weight, often as many as three times more. Although it is widely believed that obese children become obese adults, only about one third of obese preschoolers become obese adults. However, the risk of adult obesity is greater for children and young adults who are obese at older ages. One half of obese school age children become obese adults, and more than 80% of obese adolescents become obese adults. Although these percentages are high, it should be remembered that the cohort of obese children represents one fourth of all children and therefore does not account for the larger percent of obese adults. Approximately 80% to 90% of obesity is thought to be adult onset.

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The Risks of Overeating

Overeating means that consumption of energy intake is inappropriately large for a given energy expenditure. The consequence is obesity.

Overeating is used as a relative term as normal energy intake may vary from person to person depending of type of activity performed. An energy intake of 3000 kcal/day may be a small one for an athlete in training but represents severe overeating for sedentary people.

Overeating of certain specific dietary components may also lead to health risks. An over consumption of fatty and sugary foods, high glycemic ones, results in diabetes, heart diseases and related conditions.

Very often overeating becomes addictive. As an inappropriate responses to life stresses, people sometimes use food and eating to fill a void they feel inside. Overeating 'help' to cope with daily stresses and problems in their lives as a way to hide from their emotions.

Overeating people tend to be overweight. Despite of fact they are usually aware that their eating habits are abnormal, they find a little comfort in their condition. But the truth is they must face a lot of frustrations caused by obesity condition:

1. (physical) they have health problems as obesity increases the risks of hypertension, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, endocrine problems, gall bladder disease, arthritis, lung and breathing problems, bone deterioration, sleep disturbances (sleep apnea).
2. (social) they have a limited participation in activities such as recreational sports, parties and other social opportunities.
3. (professional) as an excessive weight prejudice, they might have a decreased ability in learning process or some work situations.

The simplistic solution to obesity is to eat less and exercise more. Physical activity, obesity, and energy intake are very close related factors of lifestyle.

Valerian D is a freelance writer specialized in health issues affecting men and women such as body diseases caused by obesity

BMI: A Measure of Obesity?

Since awareness of the dangers of obesity became widespread, many strategies have emerged to counteract the condition. However, there was no concrete basis that determines if a person is in fact obese or not. People back then assumed that extreme fatness is obesity.

This changed in 1996 when a Belgian statistician and anthropometrist Adolphe Quetelet developed the Body Mass Index (BMI). The BMI estimates the amount of body fat in order to determine obesity and its severity much like a thermometer measuring the degree of temperature. To calculate BMI, a subject’s weight (in Kilograms) is divided by the square of the subject’s height (in meters) as shown in the equation: BMI=kg/m2. the resulting value is then compared to an index of numbers that defines being underweight with a BMI of less than 18.5, normal at a BMI range of 18.8 to 24.9, overweight at a BMI range of 25.0 to 29.8, obese at a BMI range of 30 to 39.9 and morbidly obese at BMI of 40.0 or higher. These definitions were agreed upon and published in the year 2000. Since its release, it has been relied on to determine a specific status of obesity and related risks.

Although BMI and obesity were meant to go hand in hand, BMI cannot be a sole factor in determining obesity and in prediction a person’s cardiovascular health. In the calculation, we assume that the BMI results is body fat neglecting the type of body mass a person has. The type of body mass would be different for a muscular person and in an aging person who have lost body mass. BMI is, in fact, only one of the clinical assessments used to determine heart risks. Also, BMI does not consider the ratio between fat and muscle tissue nor does it recognize the forms of fat and waist circumference.

BMI, it seems have been quite a assistance to obesity. Despite the inaccuracy of the number, many continue to rely on this that it is used to identify persons with a certain BMI count a corresponding risk to another disease. Or even as an indicator of weight loss instead of measuring weight.

Naturally BMI cannot answer all questions regarding obesity and its health risks. It has limited coverage, obviously. Therefore it can only be a determining factor of obesity in general. It is as reliable as weighing yourself but in obvious cases of being overweight.

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What Is Obesity? How Can You Overcome Obesity?

Obesity is a condition that results from the accumulation of excess fat in the body. In general, a person has obesity when the weight of the person is 20 percent or more above the normal recommended weight based on the person’s height, age, sex and build or bone structure.

There is what is called the Body Mass Index (BMI), which is a measure of body fat, calculated using a formula that requires the height and the weight of an adult (either man or woman). Persons with a BMI of less than 18.5 are underweight. A person is considered to be of normal weight if his or her BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9; overweight if the BMI is between 25 and 29.9; and obese if it is 30 and above. If the BMI is 40 or exceeds 40, then the person is said to be morbidly obese. Morbid obesity is also described as a ‘clinically severe obesity’, that requires urgent medical intervention.

The BMI figures given above are compiled and supplied by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI). One problem with the BMI is that it does not give the right estimate of the body fat in cases of persons with a muscular build (as in the case of athletes) or those who have lost their muscle mass (as in the case of old people). Usually, however, the BMI is a fair indicator of obesity.

When you have accumulated excessive fat in the body tissues, you have obesity, a condition that may increase the risk to several health conditions such as diabetes, ailments of the heart, stroke or paralysis and so on. Excess weight is always a health risk. Millions of people (more than a third of the adults) suffer from obesity and the attendant health problems. Included among them are those with morbid obesity. It is estimated that almost 5 to 10 percent of the obesity-affected population is in need of immediate medical care and treatment, because of morbid obesity.

That over-eating causes overweight or obesity may not be news. Nevertheless, there may also be some other factors responsible for obesity. A large number of scientific studies link obesity to genetic factors. Scientists from the National Institutes of Health have been studying the occurrence of obesity in the Pima Indians of Arizona and Mexico for decades, because they are among the most obese people in the entire world, some of them weighing more than 500 pounds. That amounts to very severe obesity. No wonder, most of them, especially the Pima tribes in Arizona, are found to have diabetes and heart problems. Certain people therefore are genetically predisposed to obesity. Processed or fast food and a sedentary lifestyle, with little or no time devoted to physical activity or exercise and with no need or even desire to walk (the advent of the car being the culprit here) are found to contribute to obesity. In addition, some medical conditions like hypothyroidism and steroid-intake result in obesity.

Excessive weight, which is usually visible in a person’s girth, or the circumference of the person’s waist, due to the accumulation of too much fat in the abdomen, leads to serious health risks, including death in severe cases of obesity, especially morbid obesity. Therefore, irrespective of the causes of obesity, it is essential for obese people to take suitable steps for losing as much weight as is necessary to bring it to the level of normal BMI.

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Quick Look at Obesity Treatment

Let's face it, in today's hectic hustle and bustle world, a lot of us don't have time to really research topics. Which is ironic because with the Internet, people with access to the web have a wealth of information and resources at their fingertips - more so than at any other time on the planet. With that in mind, that none of us have a lot of time, here's a quick look at obesity treatment.

Physical - Obesity, or at least the effects caused by it, is primarily a physical problem. With that in mind, you'll want to make sure you pay close attention to the physical side of the problem.

Mental - Beyond the physical, the effects of obesity are also a mental problem. That is, being overweight to that degree can have a negative impact on your state of mind with depression possibly leading to even more weight gain.

Professional Help - For both of those areas, you're going to want to get professional help with the problem and picking the right solution, finding the right balance. That doesn't mean you have to pay a Doctor a really high amount for one-on-one counseling, but you should

These are just three quick things to think about when considering obesity treatment, but hopefully they've planted some seeds in your mind about how best to solve the problem of obesity in adolescents. It's a long, difficult battle, but it's one that will have long lasting positive effects on the life of your children.

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The Main Causes Of Belly Fat - Poor Diet and Limited Exercise

Belly fat is a common problem in many countries. In America for example one in every three person is classified as obese. Obesity is a condition where an adult person is not able to maintain a balance between his calories intake and energy expenditure. Thus the person is said to be in an obese condition.

Obesity is spreading like epidemic and people are just ignorant about that obesity can take a toll on human life if not controlled.

Many medical people and health care professionals believe that diet and exercise are largely to blame. Many people eat poorly because many depend on fast foods for the daily sustenance. It is either because of their lifestyle or some simply like to dine outside. The menu items from most fast food outlets have many calories that put weight on the customers. Many people do not eat the healthy foods for great health. Some simply refuse to eat fruits and vegetables. These items are full of nutrition, but these items do not contain a lot of calories.

Lack of physical activity is one of the leading causes of obesity. Obesity is caused due to the imbalance in calories consumed and calories buried or utilized. Thus with no form of physical activity, obesity is bound to occur. The very fact that more and more people joining gyms, goes on to prove that people now have been aware of obesity. . Unfortunately, many people get bored very quickly with going to the gym and quit going for a workout.

Therefore If you want to lose weight and burn fat I advice you to use your bodyweight in order to achieve that aim. Most people don't consider bodyweight to lose weight and burn fat. Buy I guarantee you that it is one of the best way to achieve your gold, and you don't need to buy any expensive equipment to start.

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Why More American's Are Getting Fatter by the Hour?

Obesity today is a disease that is spreading rapidly across the developed as well as developing nations beyond limits.

Obesity in medical terms may be defined as a condition of the body with the deposition of excessive amounts of fats. The most significant disadvantage of obesity is that it puts strain on joints and bones that have to sustain more weight than they are actually capable off, which leads to arthritis in the later stages of life. The excess weight also tends to make people inactive which further enhances the chances of gaining more weight.

The lack of physical activity and high cholesterol increases the chances of improper functioning of your heart and blood vessels, which may result in high blood pressure, cardiac arrest, and other heart related problems. Excess weight also leads to apnea, a type of cessation of breathing during sleep. Obesity can be cured with patience and effort and consulting with the physician.

Recognizing Obesity?

The theoretical definition of obesity is a body mass index of 30 or above. The body mass index is a measure of the weight determined according to the height, as developed and standardized by Belgian scientist Adolphe Quetelet in 1840. This index actually reflects the amount of fat stored on the body. The higher your (BMI) is, the worst is your susceptibility to certain diseases.

Physicians also warn that having a lot of fats in and around the waist region increases the risk of developing diseases. Going beyond the waist size of over 35 in women and over 40 in men implies that there are chances of complications in future and you need to consult with your doctor.

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Causes and Treatment of Obesity

Many times we consume more calories from food than our body needs for physical activities. These unused calories are stored in the form of fat. You become obese when you keep this fat gathering continuously. Obesity is a long-term and complex disease and it is the result of many factors. The major factors for obesity are your activity level. If you are not engaged in any sort of activity and keep sitting or doing more mental work instead of physical work then there are more chances of obesity.

Nowadays obesity has become so common that not only young people as well as children are also suffering from this disease.

Causes

The main cause of obesity is over eating. Generally people do not know about the reasons of over eating. However, in many cases stress is also responsible for this. Try to lead a stress free life as much as possible.

Stress makes people feel hungry even when you have just taken food. Because of this people keep eating again and again. Hence, if you want to keep obesity away from yourself first of all work on the causes of stress.

Obesity is caused due to genetic or hereditary factors also. Research has shown that in many cases the major reason behind obesity is genetic. Children inherit obesity from their parents.

Apart from this junk food and present day life style is also responsible for obesity.

Treatment

However, if you keep a close eye over your diet and avoid eating junk food then this will be your first step towards controlling this problem. Avoid eating until you are really hungry. Eating only when you are truly hungry assist you in keeping your weight under control. Include variety of foods and vegetables in your diet. Fruits and vegetables provide you all the required vitamins and antioxidants required for fit body. It will save on calories as well. Actively engage in exercise and any activity or sports you like. It will keep you active and assist you in burning extra calorie you have gathered.

Many factors are responsible for obesity, but the good news is that it can be controlled. Obesity is serious health risk and is central to many problems like heart disease, blood pressure, diabetes and even some forms of cancer. If you are obese then start on bringing down your weight and becoming healthy in mind and body.

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Overweight Or Obesity - Likely Causes Less Attention is Payed To

Obesity isn't all about eating and inactivity, says an international group of researchers.

Today, doctors often blame America's obesity epidemic on two things:
- too much food - especially widely marketed fast food and junk food - and too little exercise, with too much time in front of the TV.

Researchers pay too much attention on the big two causes mentioned above. I am not saying attention should be diverted from too much food and less exercise neither do I want less attention to be paid to it, but having accepted and established these facts other likely factors are not seriously being explored.

It's well accepted that reduced physical activity and fast food are linked to obesity, but the evidence that these are the main causes of obesity is largely circumstantial.

Obesity researchers should broaden their horizon. Some explanations for obesity which are also supported by circumstantial evidence is being proposed by International groups of researchers.

They include:

-Population, Age and Ethnicity.

Middle-aged people and Black-Americans tend to be more obese than young European-Americans. People from Europe are plumper than people from south Asia but ethnic Africans are the plumpest.

-Older Moms.

American women are giving birth at older and older ages. There evidence that the older a woman is when she gives birth, the higher her child's risk of obesity.

-Deep Sleep.

Getting too little sleep can increase body weight. Today's American get less shut-eye than ever

-Medicine.

Many different drugs - including contraceptives, steroid hormones, diabetes drugs, some antidepressants, and blood pressure drugs - can cause weight gain. Use of these drugs is on the upswing.

D. T Mark

For more information visit http://bodyfatrobot.blogspot.com

Morbid Obesity – Causes, Cure, and Threats

Obesity becomes morbid when it reaches the point of significantly increasing the risk of one or more obesity-related health conditions or serious diseases (also known as co-morbidities) that result either in significant physical disability or even death.

The term morbid obesity, also called “clinically severe obesity” or “class-3” obesity - is a disease of excess body fat (adipose tissue), which can adversely affect general health, mobility and quality of life. Morbid obesity is typically defined as being 100 lbs. or more over ideal body weight or having a Body Mass Index of 40 or higher. According to the National Institutes of Health Consensus Report, morbid obesity is a serious disease and must be treated as such. It is a chronic disease, meaning that its symptoms build slowly over an extended period of time.

Morbid obesity is a significant risk factor for hypertension, cardiovascular disease, some cancers, diabetes, respiratory problems and musculo-skeletal disorders. Generally, the health threats of morbid obesity are: double risk of early death if your weight is more than twice your ideal, 5-7 times greater risk of death from diabetes or heart attack, high risk of “end-stage” (untreatable) obesity, numerous negative social, psychological and economic effects.

The causes of severe clinical obesity remain complex and varied, and typically include factors such as family genetic history, lifestyle and eating habits in childhood and adolescence, medication usage, calorie-intake, mood/depression, degree of physical activity, and cultural, socioeconomic and psychosocial factors. Although there are several clearly identifiable causes and contributory risk factors for morbid obesity, experts have been unable to pinpoint the relative importance of these risk factors in the ongoing obesity epidemic.

Treatment for morbid obesity usually includes a combination of liquid or very-low-calorie diets, weight loss medications and exercise counseling. Patients suffering from significant co-morbid conditions may also qualify for bariatric weight loss surgery such as gastric banding or stomach bypass.

Mildly obese patients can benefit from diet and exercise treatments, sometimes provided in conjunction with weight loss medication. Patients with morbid obesity, especially those with serious co-morbid conditions, may qualify for bariatric surgical treatments such as Lap Band or Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Lap-band adjustable gastric banding is the latest entrant (approved by the FDA in 2001) in the sphere of surgical treatment of morbid obesity

It has become increasingly clear that those with morbid obesity may not be able to get their weight under significant control on their own without surgery. If you are morbidly obese you run a significant risk of dying prematurely due to your weight. In fact, those with morbid obesity can be expected to die 13-20 years prematurely unless they can lose most of their excess weight.

Milos Pesic is an expert in the field of Weight Loss and Obesity and runs a highly popular and comprehensive Obesity web site. For more articles and resources on Obesity and Weight Loss related topics, symptoms and treatments visit his site at:

=>http://obesity.need-to-know.net/

Dogs and Cats Obesity

Obesity is currently the most common nutritional disorder that occurs in companion animals in the United States. Surveys have reported incidence rates of between 24% and 34% in adult dogs. One of the most recent studies collected information on almost 130,000 dogs and cats from 55 private veterinary practices in 33 states. Results showed that 27% of dogs were judged to be overweight or obese. The proportion of overweight/obese pets peaked during middle age (over 45%), while geriatric pets and young adults were much less likely to be obese.

In addition, dogs that are overweight when they are adolescents are more likely to be overweight and or obese as asults. It can be theorized that the incidence of obesity in dogs has increased because a sedentary lifestyle has become the norm rather than the exception for many dogs. In addition, the provision of highly palatable and energy-dense foods may further contribute to the energy imbalance that leads to obesity.

Until recently, it was generally believed that obesity in cats was less prevalent. One of the first surveys conducted reported an incidence rate of only 9% in pet cats. However, the incidence of obesity in cats appears to have increased dramatically within the past 10 years. Increased popularity of the cat as a house pet, decreased daily activity of cats confined indoors may be responsible for cat obesity.

Obesity is a clinical syndrome that involves the excess accumulation of body fat. Obesity is considered the most common form of malnutrition in small animal practice. Indeed, surveys suggest that 25% to 40% of cats and dogs presented to veterinary clinics are obese. The significance of obesity pertains to its role in the pathogenesis of a variety of diseases and to its ability to exacerbate preexisting disease.

Obesity has been associated with an increased incidence of arthritis, diabetes, hepatic lipidosis, feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD), urine incontinence in spayed bitches, constipation, dermatitis, cardiovascular problems, respiratory problems, and increased anesthetic and surgical risk. In addition, Scarlett and colleague (1998 found a threefold increase in risk of death in obese middle-aged cats when compared to the risk in lean middle-aged cats.)

More information at: Dogs & Cats Health.