The HUGE Impact of Weight Management-Fighting the Battle of the Bulge

I've been perusing through some textbooks this morning and wanted to share information that I put together from multiple scientific articles on the topic of weight and longevity.  I'm getting ready to bring in a line of pharmaceutical grade supplements that will help catalyze weight loss for those trying to control their growing waist lines.  I think it best to just give you some clear easy-to-read statistics about where we were, where we are, and where we are going if our culture does not change it's habits and history.  A person could literally spend days putting something like this together, but the goal is to give you some quick concrete evidence to show you that we are headed down a slippery slope of disease management if things don't change for the better.  Literally!

So, here goes.....

~The U.S. has seen it's obesity rate reach epidemic levels as about 2/3 of American adults are now considered overweight or obese.

~All states have at least 15% of their population considered to be obese. (BMI>30)

~One Baylor University study found that by the year 2030, all 50 states will be at 25%.  1 in 4 people obese??? That's scary!

~A persons risk of developing Type II diabetes increases by 12 times if they are extremely obese.

~An even wider problem than just having diabetes is Metabolic Syndrome (3 or more of the following factors: high blood pressure, high blood glucose, high plasma triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol, and high waist circumference) It is now estimated that 70 million (yes...million) Americans are affected by Metabolic Syndrome which carries an increased risk of premature aging, disability, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, stroke, infection, sleep disorders, etc.

~It is estimated that the sicker 50% of the population has required 97% of total healthcare expenditures.

~Nutritional pollution has resulted in marketplace portions being 2-8 times larger than standard serving sizes. 

~A study conducted at Penn State U found that fast food locations from the same chain sold food portions that were 25% larger in Philadelphia as compared to Paris, France. 

~The same study indicated that the time spent eating was 22.2 minutes in Paris vs. 14.4 min in Philly.

~The targeted number of steps to take in a day was widely publicized to be 10,000 steps  for good health.  A study of 1,000 people showed American adults take an average of 6,804 which is well below the active cut-off.

~Even among those Americans who are able to lose weight, 85% of them gain it ALL back within 2 years.
~Nearly 400 2nd and 3rd grade students were assessed to determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (formerly called syndrome X) by screening central obesity, elevated TG's, low HDL, elevated blood pressure, and elevated blood sugar.  Half of the children had no problems, and 45% had 1-2 components already with elevated blood pressure being the most common component.

~In 2004 a survey was conducted of 3,500 respondents asking "What did I order at the restaurant today? as a part of a year-long diary of eating habits.  The top 10 foods for men: hamburger, french fries, pizza, breakfast sandwich, side salad, eggs, doughnuts, hash browns, Chinese food, main salad.  For women: French fries, hamburger, pizza, side salad, chicken sandwich, breakfast sandwich, main salad, chinese food, chicken strips, and rice.

~A 15 year long study into the effects of eating fast food showed that eating fast food just 2 times weekly was enough to cause a 10 pound weight gain. 

~In Beijing, 50% of the population is now overweight because they have adopted a much more Western diet. 

~58 million U.S. citizens are overweight, 40 million are obese, and 3 million are morbidly obese. 

~A staggering 8 out of 10 Americans over the age of 25 are obese.

~25% of Americans don't get off the couch-they are completely sedentary.

~There has been a 76% increase in Type II diabetes incidence since 1990 in the 30-40 year old age group.

~80% of Type II diabetes is related to obesity, 70% to heart disease, 42% to cancers, and 30% to gallbladder surgery.

~It has been estimated that we make 200 food related decisions a day.  When asked, most people will respond that we make 30.  Food is always on the brain, so it's important that we strategize and control our behaviors...200 times a day..... no pressure right?

We need to take notice of this, but even more importantly, we need to act upon this epidemic.  Here are some powerful weapons against the battle of the bulge.
1) A decrease in caloric intake.  Calorie Restriction is the #1 Anti-Aging strategy EVER known.  Do your homework and you'll find it's true.  We are eating more than we need to exist on.  Once on the lips, forever on the hips, heart, liver, kidneys, brain, etc.  That's the reality.
2) Increase caloric expenditure.  All of you couch potato's, get up off that thing!!
3) Make a healthier selection of food.  If you are the  food gatekeeper of the house, choose well for your family.
4) Adopt an overall orientation towards good health.  Start NOW!
5) Weight loss is a realistic goal for almost all patients.  What changes can you make based on the data and statistics shared above?

6) Achieve 10,000 steps a day, exercise 30 minutes 5 days a week, and grab a friend along the way.
7) Drop the pop and the sugary drinks.  It's empty calories that you do not need.
8) Choose low Glycemic Index foods and exercise PORTION CONTROL.
9) Start a good nutraceutical regimen to give your body core nutrition so that you won't crave the bad foods so much.  Our nurse can give you a body composition assessment and I can prescribe a vitamin and supplement regimen to meet your health and medical needs. 
10)  Get your hormones checked and balanced.  Hey you keep your car tires checked and balanced, right?  Why not do the same with your hormones? Hormones can affect weight!!  I've seen patients lose several pounds with ease after establishing normal balance to their hormone levels. Please read my other blogs about hormone balance, stress control, and weight management.

Hey blog friends, that is all for today.  I hope this compels you to live better so that you can live longer.  It's a BIG deal to keep these numbers in check.   We must all fight the battle of the bulge.  It's worth it!

....off to some sunshine and a healthy lunch. :)

To your good health,
Dr. Sonja