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Posts Tagged ‘Obesity’

The stress caused by economic insecurity increases the likelihood of developing obesity. “The stress of living in a competitive social system without a strong welfare state makes people eat more”, suggest researchers at the University of Oxford (United Kingdom).

Obesity policies tend only to encourage people to care for himself mismasLa research, led by Avner Offer, published in Economics and Human Biology, analyzed eleven countries rich with different economic systems. The results indicate that in countries in economic regimes prevailing free market economies very competitive and less absence or presence of the welfare state, obesity rates are tripled.

Social causes of obesity

The study compared four countries with liberal market-United States, Britain, Canada and Australia, with seven European nations that traditionally have greater social protection: Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Spain and Sweden. The results indicate that the Americans and British are much more prone to obesity than Norwegians and Swedes.

Policies to reduce levels of obesity tend to focus on encouraging people to take care of themselves, but this study suggests that obesity has complex social causes.

To rule out other factors, the researchers took into account the availability of high calorie foods and fast food chains and supermarkets.

Insecurity affects more than junk food

In this sense, the researchers measured the impact of fast food using the price index created by The Economist, which shows international variations in the cost of the burger ‘Big Mac’ McDonald’s.

Their findings indicate that “the availability of fast food has half the effect of economic insecurity on the prevalence of obesity. The most powerful influence we have discovered over obesity levels of insecurity,” say the researchers from Oxford.

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.

According to a study at the University of North Carolina in the U.S., children as young as 3 years presented specific markers that would predict cardiovascular disease in adulthood. These findings are very important to try to raise awareness about the relationship between childhood obesity and the onset of heart disease when they become adults.

Children from 3 years earlier presented with obesity high levels of C-reactive protein, a marker that determines inflammation. This marker in adults is an indicator of possible heart disease. Hence the importance of the results obtained in research conducted at the University of North Carolina in the U.S…

Study sample

* Data was performed on 16,335 children in an age group between 1 and 17. They are classified into four groups according to body mass index (BMI): Healthy weight, overweight, obese and very obese.

Results

* Of the total nearly 70% were at a healthy weight, 15% were overweight, 11% were obese and 3.5% were very obese.
* Among very obese children between 3 to 5 years, over 40% had elevated levels of C-reactive protein compared with 17 percent of healthy weight children.
* Among adolescents 15 to 17 years, 83% of very obese had elevated serum C-reactive protein, compared with 18% of those with a healthy weight.

Conclusion

* Weight and inflammatory markers are closely related, even in children as young as 3 years.
* Based on these data is essential to emphasize the importance of controlling obesity during childhood, even at an early age due to complications that may have these children when they become adults.

It is important to set guidelines and healthy diet to help control and reduce the incidence of childhood obesity, without neglecting the essential nutrients for a good development physically, intellectually and emotionally.

I had the opportunity to share tables “highly qualified” discussions and decisions on the Mediterranean diet. Although I have not doubted its benefits, it seemed that the Mediterranean diet was expensive and did not match the content of most shopping carts coming out of the markets. French fries, bakery products, prepared foods, preserves, etc… If you fill the basket of vegetables, fruit and fish, you risk having the cashier on duty tells you “What healthier food”.

For several years wanted to write about this topic. Now, I just read Stuffed and Starved. The impact of globalization on the global food system, from the British Raj Patel, I cannot miss the opportunity. And even though, in recent months the media have linked the diet with the global economic crisis, speculation in food crisis food to health, especially with overweight and obesity, diet Mediterranean cultural heritage of humanity, in short, the consumption of offal with this holiday.

It all started in the last legislature, when analyzing the changes taking place in food habits of the Spanish-framed within the Mediterranean diet, it was decided to promote this diet along politically sport (NAOS strategy, among others). The valuation of the Spanish diet according to the Food Consumption Panel, Ministry of Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs, concludes that the Spanish diet has changed considerably over the past 40 years, away from the traditional Mediterranean diet . To address this, strategies are needed to promote healthy eating and food culture recovery with the help of new technologies of production, conservation, marketing and distribution of food.

But what is the Mediterranean diet? Is it sustainable social, economic and environmentally? Who they eat how much does it cost? Does it vary by regions? Does it depend on socioeconomic status, the size of the population centers of the type of family, age, etc..?

The group of typical foods of the Mediterranean diet is vegetables, legumes, fruits, cereals and fish. And if food habits related to the Mediterranean diet have changed in recent decades have done much in recent months with the economic crisis that has brought a decline in consumption of these foods and buying replacements. It has also increased the purchase of own brands, up to 39% cheaper. The November CPI does not move forward the best available price inflation in the food industry. Up enough lemons, wheat flour and rice, Mediterranean diet staple. And, citrus, field trips the price of the supermarket. Like olives, garlic and potatoes.

The economic crisis has led to a substantial increase in consumption and profitability in the fast food segment, the farthest from the Mediterranean diet, but to endeavor to bring it to the customs of local consumers by offering salads and healthier foods. Thankfully, some still share the challenge of Santi Santamaria Burger King in his book the kitchen naked.

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.

Inflammation of the tissues increases the presence of PAI-1 molecule that increases the risk factors for diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Molecules called free fatty acids circulating in the blood can directly increase the risk of diseases linked to obesity, according to a study released Wednesday by the journal Science Translational Medicine.

In addition, scientists at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine of New York and Southwestern Medical Center at the University of Texas said the study shows why dangerously inflamed fatty tissue in obese individuals.

The tissue inflammation is a normal process whereby the body tries to counteract the infection.

However, this can spin out in cases of obesity and diseases linked to overweight such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and some cancers.

According to scientists, the study clarifies the relationship between these fatty acids and inflammation in a breakthrough that could lead to development of better drugs for the treatment of patients with obesity-related diseases. Read the rest of this entry »

According to researchers at the German laboratory Beiersdorg AG, a series of experiments showed that consumption of a tea made from the plant Camellia sinensis inhibits the generation of new fat cells.
White tea, as it is called the preparation with the first shoots of plants which are green tea and black-lowering effects of obesity, according to a study released today by the journal Nutrition and Metabolism.

According to researchers at the German laboratory Beiersdorg AG, a series of experiments showed that consumption of a tea made from the plant Camellia sinensis inhibits the generation of new fat cells (adipocytes) and stimulates the elimination of that fat in mature cells.

“We have shown that white tea may be an ideal source of natural substances to lose weight,” said Marc Winnefeld, member of research team.

According to the scientist, white tea may be at least a partial solution to the obesity problem that affects mainly the U.S., where it is considered that about 60 percent of the population is overweight.

“In industrialized countries, the increasing incidence of obesity-related disorders, including cardiovascular disease and diabetes are growing problems,” he said. Read the rest of this entry »