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Archive for the ‘Obesity’ Category

The fight against obesity, as well as body mass should be taken into consideration the amount of adipose tissue. So says biologist’s thesis, University of the Basque Country (UPV), Aline Jelenkovic, indicating that obesity is presented as the great pandemic of the century. Recent data suggest that more than one billion adults worldwide are overweight, of which at least 300 million are clinically obese.

The environment also plays an important role in the development of obesity, “Childhood obesity rates show an increasing concern, with over 155 million children and adolescents who are overweight, of which 40 million are clearly obese.

Adipose tissue and blood pressure

Therefore, the biologist Aline Jelenkovic analyzed “how much” influence of genetics on the one hand, and the environment, on the other, body morphology. To do so, has studied nuclear families of Greater Bilbao, with children between 2 and 19 years old and has confirmed that the environmental factor significantly influences the amount of adipose tissue (tissue composed of fat accumulating cells), and it is related, in turn, with blood pressure.

The study estimated that the characteristics that define the size, shape and adipose tissue of the human body are inherited in an index that is moderate to high (0.28 to 0.69).

The family was not particularly influenced

In addition, the environment, “also plays an important role,” since human morphology is partly determined by genetic and environmental factors, but “highlights the influence of both the characteristics associated with obesity, auque” genetics does not affect all them equally, “according to the thesis.

As for the relationship of body shape with the family, the study finds, “which is a significant factor, but not particularly influential.” The researcher observed that maternal age at birth of firstborn, and parental education, “are more closely linked to obesity-related phenotypes than other family factors.”

The research, conducted with the aim of identifying risk factors in heart disease, agree that there is an “obesity pandemic” that is a result of more and more countries adopt Western lifestyles.

In 2008, more than 500 million people worldwide were clinically obese, meaning they had a Body Mass Index (BMI)-the measure obtained by dividing the weight of the individual in kilos by your height in meters squared-over 30.

The incidence was higher among females, as there were 297 million obese women, compared to 205 million obese men.

U.S. figure in the top of the list of obesity, with a mean body mass index of 28

This means that 9.8% of men and 13.8% of women of this planet were obese in 2008 compared with respective percentages of 4.8% and 7.9% in 1980.

The highest rate of obesity was recorded in the nations of the Pacific Islands, with average levels of BMI between 34 and 45, 70% higher than some countries in Southeast Asia and Africa.

Among rich countries, the U.S. was on the top of the list of obesity with a Body Mass Index through 28 for both men and women, which means, in other words, that being overweight is now the norm in that country.

The Lancet published three studies examining jointly the overall levels of obesity, cholesterol and blood pressure, sharing their results.
Hypertension decreases

The other notable finding is that, in contrast to the increase in obesity, the proportion of the world’s population has blood pressure problems declined between 1980 and 2008.

Rich countries were those that achieved the greatest advances in the control of hypertension and those who managed, through its health benefits, which in this period regress average cholesterol levels among the population.

However, this good news was accompanied by the realization that there are emerging and poor countries faced problems that were not detected earlier.

Is the case of the Baltic nations or countries of East and West Africa, which recorded blood pressure levels highest in the world, matching those in some parts of Western Europe three decades ago.

“Obesity has moved to countries with low and middle income, becoming a global problem”

The presence of these health problems “has been moved to countries with low and middle income, making them global problems,” said Professor Ezzati, director of the study.

Gretchen Stevens of the World Health Organization said it was already known that changes in diet and physical activity have contributed to the worldwide increase in obesity, but said “it remains unclear what policies would help more effectively reduce obesity. ”

“We need to identify, implement and evaluate rigorously interventions that aim to reverse these trends or limit its harmful effects,” he said.

Dr Mike Knapton of the British Heart Foundation, described as “amazing” the escalation of obesity in the last 30 years and considered that “we face a global challenge to cope with increased BMI, cholesterol levels and hypertension, all these major risk factors in coronary artery disease. ”

“It’s a worrying trend, but can be reversed with effective policies and changes in lifestyle, with the help of important advances in medicine,” said Knapton, who stressed that the improvement in cholesterol levels and hypertension in developed countries are proof that no solution.
Childhood obesity in Spain

Moreover, in Spain, Thao Child Health Foundation has presented a study revealing that one in three Spanish children, aged between 3 and 12 years, suffers over Spain is among the European countries with the highest rate of overweight weight children and concludes that prevention before 3 years is one of the key elements to curb childhood obesity.

The study, presented in Barcelona, places Spain among European countries with the highest rate of overweight children, with a percentage close to 30 percent, bringing the rate of 21.1% overweight and obesity in a 8.2%.

Sleep deprivation disrupts the hormones that regulate appetite such as leptin and ghrelin, so that short sleep duration is a factor that contributes to an increased risk of obesity both in childhood and adults.

Our current lifestyle leads to a slowly but surely to obesity, “This is reflected in the book Obesity in which more than 30 international researchers, which reflects the latest knowledge on obesity, from its causes to its prevention and treatment. The work shows that at long periods of sleep deprivation, there is a hormonal change that increases appetite and calorie intake.

In addition, studies indicate that babies who sleep less than 12 hours (including night and daytime naps) increases adiposity and the chances of becoming overweight at age 3.

The importance of prenatal

The book also points out that more and more evidence pointing to the relationship between the prenatal period and the risk of obesity. “In its growth in the womb the baby senses the external environment and physiology interprets and prepares it for outdoor conditions after the birth of more or less metabolic stress and psychological,” says Dr. Ordovas.

Also, the book emphasizes that breastfeeding is a protective factor against later development of obesity.

An environment “obesogenic”

According to Dr. José María Ordovas, director of the Laboratory for Genomics and Nutrition at Tufts University (Boston) and scientific collaborator of the National Cardiovascular Research Center, “our current lifestyle, which includes not only food but also the activity physical and sleep, leads to a slowly but surely to obesity. ”

Thus, the experts who participated in the book describe the current environment in which we operate as “obesogenic”, so insist on the importance of returning to a healthy lifestyle.

Other foods that must be considered in children with high cholesterol is a snack. Children need to regain strength to continue their activities and get to the dinner without so much hunger, to achieve a list of examples of nutritious snacks and low in fat can guide children to treat hypercholesterolemia. Comply with the 4 basic foods during childhood is critical, especially if the child suffers from hypercholesterolemia. It is therefore necessary to adapt the power to achieve lower high cholesterol.

Within 4 snack foods plays a regenerative function to continue daily tasks, therefore, should be nutritious, but low in fat.

List of snack for children hypercholesterolemia

* List 1: yogurt. 1 Arabic bread sandwich with 1 slice of ham and a low-fat cheese, you can flavor with low fat mayonnaise.
* List 2: 1 bowl of milk with oats. 2 slice whole-wheat toast with low fat cheese and sweet.
* List 3: 1 cup of tea with milk. 2 blueberry scones. 1 glass of orange juice.
* List 4: 1 low-fat yogurt with 1 teaspoon of flaxseed and muesli. 1 fruit.
* List 5: 1 cup skim milk with oats. 1 serving of jello.
* List 6: 1 glass of fruit smoothie with skim milk. 3 oatmeal cookies.
* List 7: 1 yogurt. 1 cereal bar. 1 glass of orange juice.

These snacks nutritious and low in fat can also be useful as a different choice of breakfast for children with high cholesterol. Keep in mind that these examples of snacks for children’s hypercholesterolemia are approximate.

Childhood is a crucial period for action on eating behavior
For the Association for Civil Rights and Social Economic (ADECO) Spain is currently one of the countries with the highest percentage of childhood obesity. The significance of this finding, which has already highlighted El Semanal Digital-increases when considering the rapid growth of obesity and overweight have experienced in the past two decades, mainly as a result of sedentary lifestyles and inappropriate dietary habits.

Undoubtedly, the accelerated pace of life in modern society, coupled with the convenience (it’s faster to buy a bun a salad) and some health fees at all wrong (the popular belief that a child is a healthy plump ) are among the starting points of a problem in Spain reaches an alarming rate.

The role of the family
In this context, aware of the important role of family in the diet of smaller, ADECA advised to follow certain guidelines to achieve a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that obesity and overweight have reached epidemic character of the world: more than one billion adults are overweight and of those, at least 300 million are obese. The importance of this figure is higher in Spain, as if it occupies an intermediate position in the percentage of obese adults; our country has one of the highest figures with respect to children.

According to the National Statistics Institute (INE), 8.9% of Spanish from 2 to 17 is obese and 18.7% are overweight. Dietary habits and sedentary are for experts, underlying causes of increased childhood obesity seen in the last two decades in Spain.

false hypothesis of the “curve of happiness”
Not only affects the musculoskeletal system, the majority of the organs of the body and cardiovascular function. “Obesity also has a strong impact on the emotional level and even, in some cases, psychological problems are the trigger for this disease,” explains Eduardo García-Camba de la Muela, chief of psychiatry at the Hospital Princesa de Madrid.

During this “Science Week”, an event that aims to bring the citizens of science and technology, various museums, universities and research centers hold conferences, workshops and roundtables, among other activities. Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid (UCM) has held a roundtable on “Obesity: a complex conversation between the brain, and heart fat” in which, experts say, “In recent years we are witnessing an epidemic significant obesity and future prospects in this regard are pessimistic.”

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 1,600 million adults are overweight and 400 million obese, a figure expected to increase to 700 million in 2015. In Spain, as indicated by statistics from the Ministry of Health, more than half the population is above the recommended weight (38.5% overweight and 14.5% obese). “It is more common in women and increases with age,” experts say.

The psychological reality of obesity
“This is a difficult disease to treat and requires a multidisciplinary approach that not only takes into account diet and exercise program is also essential psychotherapeutic support,” said García-Camba. Sometimes the mental aspect is a cause of the disease (other genetic factors, environmental and lifestyle). “They use food as a substance that allows them to solve their problems (sadness, upset …) and here begins a process of uncontrolled eating that can lead to obesity,” says the psychiatrist.

Obesity is the major nutritional diseases that exist today. The biggest problem this condition is causing malnutrition and indiscriminate intake of foods high in fat and sugar. The highest levels of obesity seen in most developed countries, with the United States led the rankings due in large part on how the intake of junk food.

Obesity brings not only aesthetic, but also various digestive ailments, diseases linked to cancer in the esophagus, rectum, pancreas, and intestines. In addition, other heart diseases (such as clogged arteries) and chronic hepatitis are major problems linked to obesity.

This disease is becoming more frequent and it generates lots of concerns, especially because it is down significantly the age of people suffering from obesity. Children are becoming more prone to disease, especially due to the distortion of eating habits.

Best to combat this disease is to make a medical appointment quickly when you see the very significant weight gain compared to normal weight. Be very careful because the consequences of obesity are very complicated to treat.

For children we recommend a visit to the doctor and provide psychological support along with a balanced diet with physical activity. This can prevent many more serious problems to health.

It is considered an obese pregnant woman who starts pregnancy at a mean overweight of 20% or more for your ideal target weight. To consider a pregnant woman is taken as a parameter obese increased over 15 kg at the end of gestation.

Being either case, both are more likely to suffer complications during pregnancy. For example:

a) is seven times more likely to have hypertension.
b) have a much better chance of bleeding during childbirth.
c) is more likely to suffer from edema, swelling, etc..
d) You are more likely to suffer varicose veins.
e) Prolonged labor (at a rate of 25%).
f) C-sections with complications (at a rate of 33%).
g) Diabetes after pregnancy at a rate of up to 40%.
h) newborn weight higher than normal.

Weight control of pregnant women with problems of obesity should be under strict medical supervision, since any deficiency or disorder in the calories from the diet, may adversely affect the baby and herself. The pregnant woman should not lose weight but to increase between 9 and 11 kilograms.

In this regard, it should be noted that a low-calorie diet should not contain a quantity of less than 1,600 calories per day because otherwise it would determine an inadequate utilization of dietary protein, even if your submission is longer than usual. During lactation, observed the same behavior, with an increase of up to 1,800 calories daily. Read the rest of this entry »

Obesity in today’s youth can’t solely be attributed to overeating and lack of exercise. It’s important we understand that excessive weight gain can be influenced by heredity and familial behavior. Even Psych 101 tells us overeating can be a behavioral problem. In a reputable piece published by Medical News Today, doctors from the University of Adelaide linked obesity directly with depression.

Specifically, Dr. Evan Atlantis goes on to state “Although the topic is largely unexplored, several psychosocial, lifestyle and physiological factors may be involved in the complex inter-relationship between obesity and mental illness…” Subsequent feelings of low self esteem, low self worth, and guilt often contribute greatly to a person’s every day eating habits. Dr. Atlantis goes on with stating “Obesity may constitute a chronic stressful state, which in turn can cause significant physiological dysfunction. Such dysfunction would then predispose individuals to depressed mood and associated symptoms.” Ultimately, this dysfunction would activate the endocannabinoid system, which in turn, increases appetite and may all together alleviate depression.

Some of the most comment causes of obesity in the world today are:

•Diet
•Lifestyle
•Metabolism
•Genetics/Heredity
•Emotions
•Lack of Sleep
•Medications
•Diseases

This domino affect allows many people to dig themselves holes; leading to weight gain and depression. It’s not an easy task to eliminate excessive fat due to depressive symptoms. Concurrently, the person finds him/herself having to overcome depression AND lose weight. As challenging as a task this may sound, people still have options.

Alternatives can include weight-loss procedures from surgeons like Dr. Lack of MetropolitanMD, a Chicago liposuction and cosmetic surgery specialist; albeit the risks outweigh the benefits. Despite, science has come up with a new cosmetic practice to reduce weight in a very
efficient manner.

LipoDissolve (also known as “Lunchtime Lipo”) is a new/experimental weight loss and “fat-melting” cosmetic procedure that many see as an option to liposuction surgery. LD is a series of tiny injections that are full of chemicals that dissolve fat in many areas of the body like the hips, stomach, face, waist, and arms. These chemicals swiftly break down the fat in these areas, and individuals who partake in the treatment have shown to lose at-least 2-6 centimeters of the fatty area with each injection – Most of what is found in the high concentrated fat areas of the waist and stomach.

Unfortunately, LipoDissolve is not a permanent solution considering that while it does help break down fat in the body, it doesn’t prevent future weight gain from occurring.

Some are cautious when suggesting LipoDissolve as a weight loss solution; feelings stem directly from the drugs unrelenting tests. However, for the most part it works as an effective and swift solution to the obesity problem that many have to deal with everyday.

Rachelle of MetropolitanMD, plastic surgeons Chicago.