Growing Epidemic Of Childhood Obesity

Obese adults were generally obese chidren.  I know I was, I started gaining weight around 13-years of age.  Today there are other kids that are gaining weight at a much younger age.  I’ve seen kids at the mall that look like young adults – but in fact they are 5 or 6 years old and are carrying around a lot of excess weight.  When you see the parents, it is very clear why the child or children are overweight – because the parents are.

It is always sad to see an overweight child.  Regardless of whether we want to admit it or not, being overweight is a stigma.  The last thing any parent should want is for their child to be made fun of – on the playground, or in school. 

In general terms, if parents are overweight – their children will be overweight.  There are of course exceptions to the rule.

Sho how big of an epedemic is obesity in children?

According to Wikipedia, in Canada the rate of obesity in children jumped to over 30% in boys in 1990.  Brazil recorded an increase from 4% to 14% in 1990 and the United States saw the rate triple between 1980 and 2000 though it has not changed significantly between 2000 and 2006.  However the number for the US is still high at 32% since 2008.

As in adults, there are many reasons for obesity in children:

• Sedentary lifestyle
• Lack of physical exercise
• Abundance of high calorie and fat foods in the home (junk food, sodas, chips, cookies)
• Home environment – high fat/calorie meals
• Development factors
• Medical conditions

Several studies have been performed as well (links go to Wikipedia):

• A study of 1800 children aged 2 to 12 in Colac, Australia tested a program of restricted diet (no carbonated drinks or sweets) and increased exercise. Interim results included a 68% increase in after school activity programs, 21% reduction in television viewing, and an average of 1 kg weight reduction compared to a control group.^[51]
• A survey carried out by the American Obesity Association into parental attitudes towards their children’s weight showed the majority of parents think that recess should not be reduced or replaced. Almost 30% said that they were concerned with their child’s weight. 35% of parents thought that their child’s school was not teaching them enough about childhood obesity, and over 5% thought that childhood obesity was the greatest risk to their child’s long term health.^[52]
• A Northwestern University study indicates that inadequate sleep has a negative impact on a child’s performance in school, their emotional and social welfare, and increases their risk of being overweight. This study was the first nationally represented, longitudinal investigation of the correlation between sleep, Body Mass Index (BMI) and overweight status in children between the ages of 3 and 18. The study found that an extra hour of sleep lowered the children’s risk of being overweight from 36% to 30%, while it lessened older children’s risk from 34% to 30%.^[53]

All that said, what can YOU do if you have a child that is overweight?  First see your doctor!  Never start your child on a weight loss program or exercise regime without consulting your doctor.  Many doctors will do some basic testing to ensure that the exercise or diet won’t do more harm than good.

If your doctor has given you the OK – start your child off slowly.  Start with a short walk, playing at the playground.  As they lose weight, and build stamina to do more – try longer walks, bicycle rides and get them involved in sports – start with things like swimming which is low impact.

Once again – see your doctor!  Never start your child on a weight loss program or exercise regime without consulting your doctor.  Many doctors will do some basic testing to ensure that the exercise or diet won’t do more harm than good.

Speaking from personal experience, we keep our 6-year old busy.  We allow TV and WII – but in moderation.  Once he’s outside, and playing – he doesn’t want to go in!

Additional Resources:

http://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/children/index.html

Here is to your health!

Mohamed

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Cost Of Obesity On Health Care (Updated 06/02/09)

Question for you – do you know how much overweight or obese people cost health care per year? While doing some research on this topic I found the website called Leading Health Indicators which provides some useful information.

Leading Health Indicators

Leading Health Indicators n � Physical activity n � Overweight and obesity n � Tobacco use n � Substance abuse n � Responsible sexual behavior n � Mental health n � Injury and violence n � Environmental quality n � Immunization n � Access to health care

The Leading Health Indicators reflect the major public health concerns in the United States and were chosen based on their ability to motivate action, the availability of data to measure their progress, and their relevance as broad public health issues.

The Leading Health Indicators illuminate individual behaviors, physical and social environmental factors, and important health system issues that greatly affect the health of individuals and communities. Underlying each of these indicators is the significant influence of income and education (see Income and Education, page 12).

The process of selecting the Leading Health Indicators mirrored the collaborative and extensive efforts undertaken to develop Healthy People 2010. The process was led by an interagency work group within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Individuals and organizations provided comments at national and regional meetings or via mail and the Internet. A report by the Institute of Medicine, National Academy of Sciences, provided several scientific models on which to support a set of indicators. Focus groups were used to ensure that the indicators are meaningful and motivating to the public.

For each of the Leading Health Indicators, specific objectives derived from Healthy People 2010 will be used to track progress. This small set of measures will provide a snapshot of the health of the Nation. Tracking and communicating progress on the Leading Health Indicators through national- and State-level report cards will spotlight achievements and challenges in the next decade. The Leading Health Indicators serve as a link to the 467 objectives in Healthy People 2010 and can become the basic building blocks for community health initiatives.

Overweight and Obesity

Leading Health Indicator

Overweight and obesity are major contributors to many preventable causes of death. On average, higher body weights are associated with higher death rates. The number of overweight children, adolescents, and adults has risen over the past four decades. Total costs (medical cost and lost productivity) attributable to obesity alone amounted to an estimated $99 billion in 1995.

During 1988�94, 11 percent of children and adolescents aged 6 to 19 years were overweight or obese. During the same years, 23 percent of adults aged 20 years and older were considered obese.

The objectives selected to measure progress among children, adolescents, and adults for this Leading Health Indicator are presented below. These are only indicators and do not represent all the nutrition and overweight objectives included in Healthy People 2010.

Health Impact of Overweight and Obesity

Overweight and obesity substantially raise the risk of illness from high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke, gallbladder disease, arthritis, sleep disturbances and problems breathing, and certain types of cancers. Obese individuals also may suffer from social stigmatization, discrimination, and lowered self-esteem.

Populations With High Rates of Overweight and Obesity

More than half of adults in the United States are estimated to be overweight or obese. The proportion of adolescents from poor households who are overweight or obese is twice that of adolescents from middle- and high-income households. Obesity is especially prevalent among women with lower incomes and is more common among African American and Mexican American women than among white women. Among African Americans, the proportion of women who are obese is 80 percent higher than the proportion of men who are obese. This gender difference also is seen among Mexican American women and men, but the percentage of white, non-Hispanic women and men who are obese is about the same.

Reducing Overweight and Obesity

Obesity is a result of a complex variety of social, behavioral, cultural, environmental, physiological, and genetic factors. Efforts to maintain a healthy weight should start early in childhood and continue throughout adulthood, as this is likely to be more successful than efforts to lose substantial amounts of weight and maintain weight loss once obesity is established.

A healthy diet and regular physical activity are both important for maintaining a healthy weight. Over time, even a small decrease in calories eaten and a small increase in physical activity can help prevent weight gain or facilitate weight loss. It is recommended that obese individuals who are trying to lose substantial amounts of weight seek the guidance of a health care provider.

Dietary and Physical Activity Recommendations

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that to build a healthy base, persons aged 2 years and older choose a healthful assortment of foods that includes vegetables; fruits; grains (especially whole grains); fat-free or low-fat milk products; and fish, lean meat, poultry, or beans. The guidelines further emphasize the importance of choosing foods that are low in saturated fat and added sugars most of the time and, whatever the food, eating a sensible portion size. It is recognized, however, that this guidance may be particularly challenging when eating out because the consumer may be offered large portion sizes with unknown amounts of saturated fat and added sugars.

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that all adults be more active throughout the day and get at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity most, or preferably all, days of the week. Adults who are trying to maintain healthy weight after weight loss are advised to get even more physical activity. The guidelines also recommend that children get at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily and limit inactive forms of play such as television watching and computer games.

For more information on Healthy People 2010 objectives or on overweight and obesity, visit http://www.health.gov/healthypeople/� or call 1-800-367-4725.

You can get more details by visiting the site at http://www.healthypeople.gov/document/html/uih/uih_4.htm

More resources and suggested search criteria:

Mohamed

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How Your Undies Track The Recession

OK I got quite the chuckle on a story that appeared on Sympatico/MSN Finance section titled “How your undies track the recession” – here are a few excerpts but you should read the full story (by Michael Brush) – link below…

“To help predict a recovery, economists such as Alan Greenspan look to men’s underwear sales. Here’s what those and other unusual economic indicators say about the road ahead.”

…

“If you’re like most men, you’ve got more than a few skivvies in, well, less than perfect condition.

If you’re put off buying replacements — and your significant other hasn’t done it for you — then guess what? The recession probably ain’t over yet.

In fact, right now men’s underwear sales suggest that things have bottomed but not started to recover.”

…

“Greenspan reasons that because hardly anyone actually sees a guy’s undies, they’re the first thing men stop buying when the economy tightens. (He told this to National Public Radio’s Robert Krulwich years ago.)”

…

“Folks such as Greenspan don’t seem to look as closely at women’s lingerie — reasoning, perhaps, that women are more sensitive about wearing worn undergarments.

But Cohen says a pickup in sales of bras, as well as denim and footwear, will indicate the economy is on the mend.”

…

Read the entire article – http://finance.sympatico.msn.ca/investing/michaelbrush/article.aspx?cp-documentid=20040810

Guys this goes to the series of articles I am posting on Personal Hygiene for Men (introductory post) and the first in a series Personal Hygiene for Men – Showering. 

Enjoy!

Mohamed

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Is Playing Sports Better Than Exercise?

So what is wrong with this question – “Is Playing Sports Better Than Exercise?” – if you are paying attention you would probably figure out that they are one in the same!  When you play sports, you are getting exercise.  But it really is a trick question, because the word exercise is taken out of context – think of the question as “should I play sports to get exercise, or should I go to the gym for exercise” – really two different things.

So which is better?  Sports or the gym?

I have gone to the gym, and failed miserably.  I am not as regimented in that respect.  Though going to the gym you have the advantage of a personal trainer or at least someone to speak to to ensure that your workouts are accomplishing your fitness goals I’ve always found the gym boring and sometimes embaressing.  Where I used to live, I went to a gym on a fairly regularly – but it was full of muscular and thin men and women.  I felt out of place being a big guy.  In fact, I never saw big people at the gym.

Eventually I stopped going.

Over the last year, I’ve started playing more sports and going outdoors instead.  Partly to aid with weight loss and maintaining a healthy lifestyle and also because my son who is now 6-years old has so much energy that we have to get him outside to burn it off.

I enjoy going outside more because I don’t have anyone watching me.  I can exercise at my own pace, and I have fun doing it.

I find that you get more of a rush when you’re outdoors enjoying the good weather and tossing in some exercise — it does not feel like exercise.  Going to the gym felt like work and it was boring, unless I could find someone to come with me — which was always easier said than done.

The verdict?  It is really up to you.  Either way you are getting a chance to work out your body, one is more regimented and does require a certain amount of will power but the other allows you to exercise on your own terms.

Here is to your health!

Mohamed

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How To Look Sexy If You Are Big

This is for the ladies that follow the blog – this article is from WikiHow.

Packing extra padding? Don’t be ashamed – big is beautiful, if you know how to pull it off. Even the thinnest women need a bit of work before they feel ready to face the world in the mornings – just because you’re “thick” doesn’t mean you’re automatically disqualified from beauty.

1. Exercise. All women agree on this one: a little bit of a workout works wonders not only on your figure, but your overall health. Don’t focus only on losing weight. Instead, after consulting your doctor, start a workout focusing on cardiovascular health and toning your muscles. A woman weighing 190 with 36% body fat looks different than a woman of the same weight with 22% body fat.
2. Good hygiene. Being overweight is completely acceptable. Smelling atrocious or being grimy is not. Pamper yourself with this: get a manicure, get a flattering new hairstyle, but make your natural self, not your clothing,be what makes you.
3. Find flattering styles. Depending on your facial structure and the distribution of your weight, this all varies, for both clothing and hair. With a hairstyle, consult a trained stylist. In clothing, look for a proper fit: your clothing should generally be feminine and a looser fit. That is not to say “baggy”, however if you have a tiny waist, accentuate that with a cinched waist instead of wearing a shirt that is not only tight at the waist, but also tight across the stomach.
   *If it does not fit the way you would like, and you have sewing experience, alter it until you do not see fat bulges or flab. If not, tailors are incredible!
4. Shift the focus away from your weight and to your personality. Add individual style to your clothing and self. A beautiful pair of earrings, or a pretty pair of shoes – they all say something about you. Go for beautiful.
5. Refrain from showing too much skin. This is distasteful on anyone. Wear long or elbow-sleeved shirts or wear light jackets, and knee-length skirts. Most everyone has nice fore-arms and calves, and paired with a flattering cut shirt, this is a lovely way to show off your beauty.
6. Smile. If you think you are beautiful, so will everyone else. Show off those pearly whites!   If they’re not pearly, get some whitening toothpaste, yellow teeth are a major no-no.

• Be modest and kind. Being pretty does not involve being cruel. This is a rule for everyone.
• Do not go overboard on cleavage. Draw a line between both nipples. If a shirt’s cleavage hits or goes lower than that line, either alter, do not wear, or wear another shirt under the first.
• Maintain good posture. Anyone who slumps will have stomach rolls. Sit straight, cross your legs at the ankles, and relax the shoulders.
• Make sure to also have confidence. Confidence will make yourself feel sexy.

You can read the original article: http://www.wikihow.com/Look-Sexy-if-You-Are-Big

Mohamed

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Personal Hygiene For Men – Showering

Welcome to the first in a series of articles on Personal Hygiene for Men (in particular for the bigger guys).  This post will concentrate on showering – yes, the very basics but it’s incredible how many guys DON’T shower regularly.  Trust me, it’s easy to spot AND smell (and no, I don’t go around smelling guys – when you have to work closely with a group of people, it’s easy to tell who showers and who does not…).

Guys – if you’re king sized you MUST shower daily.  There can be no ifs ands or buts.  Bigger guys sweat more because of all that insulation surrounding us – but that’s no reason that you cannot smell nice!

Ideally shower first thing in the morning – so you feel clean and fresh.  You should also be showering before going to bed, to get rid of all the dust and sweat that your body has accumulated througout the course of the day — whether you work in an office, or outdoors you need to take a shower 1-2 times per day.

If you’re fortunate enough to work in an office where there are shower facilities – you may even want to consider taking a shower mid-day.  The area where I work is nice and open, and people go out for walks – even on the warmest of summer days.  But that walk will result in you sweating.  As we have shower facilities, it’s very easy to go in for a quick shower and head back into the office for the remainder of the day.

Of course there are many types of soaps available – scented, and unscented; anti-bacterial and even shower washes for men with conditioners.

Most recently I’ve started using Irish Spring Body Wash for Men – but there are other companies that sell similar products such as Axe, Old Spice and Dial (all body washes for men).  The reason that they have conditioners is because they are meant for head-to-toe use so you can use it in your hair.

I like the Irish Spring Body Wash for Men as it has an long lasting 8 Hour Scent system – which seems to deliver on the promise.

If you prefer to use soap instead, again you can opt for a scented soap (like Irish Spring - the smell is very nice and not ‘sweet’) or look for an anti-bacterial soap.  Now you may be asking “Is Anti-Bacterial Soap Any Better Than Regular Soap?” – honestly, I’m not sure – but HowStuffWorks has a good article on it – I won’t reproduce it here, but you can find it by visiting the site – http://health.howstuffworks.com/question692.htm and reading up for yourself.

Regardless of the type of products you use – the gist of this post is for you to stay CLEAN and to ensure that there are no foul body odors emitting from you.  Remember – as a kingsize guy you probably are already getting stared at so why fit the stereotype?  Do what you can to show a presentable image to everyone – your partner/significant other/spouse will love you even more!  Not only that, people that you work with or have to interact will have a much better impression of you.

TIP: When you are cleaning up - remember to get into every nook and cranny on your body!  That includes in between the toes, and … um, anywhere else “stuff” could hide.  Enough said.  Hopefully you don’t need a lesson in cleaning yourself. LOL!

By ensuring that you are clean from head to toe at the start of the day, not only will you feel refreshed and CLEAN.  Here are a few sayings and quotations about cleanliness:

1. Cleanliness becomes more important when godliness is unlikely. – P.J. O’Rourke
2. Krishna insisted on outer cleanliness and inner cleansing. Clean clothes and clean minds are an ideal combination. – Sri Sathya Sai Baba (Indian spiritual leader)
3. Cleanliness is indeed next to Godliness – Christopher Morley
4. One, who maintains cleanliness keeps away diseases. – Sam Veda

Personal hygiene starts from the very basics – which is keeping clean and you start that by regular daily showers.  Remember personal hygiene extends beyond showers, it includes the total package – from head to toe and inbetween.  Simple stuff like haircuts, keeping your moustache or beard trimmed and even ensuring your nails are cut and clean.

Now you will not beleive this, but as I was writing this post I thought of searching for the topic “Why Shower Every Day” and was amazed to find that some people DON’T shower every day!  I think my wife would faint – or kick me out of the house if I didn’t shower daily.  Don’t give me the “conserve” line – guys should be showering daily – EVERYONE should be showering daily!  There was a time when people did not shower daily – thank gawd we’re past that.

All that bunk about skin flaking, dry hair, blah, blah, blah is just that – BUNK.  Don’t shower YOU WILL STINK and someone WILL tell you you stink.

I’ll be tackling a different topic every few days.  If you like what you see – spread the word.  You can also follow me on Twitter by using the link on the right side of the page.

Mohamed

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The HIGH Cost of the Bulge

We all know how much it is costing healthcare providers (in some countries, this is the gov’t which in turn means the individual tax payer since healthcare is provided by tax dollars) to treat and manage obesity and related issues that go with it.  But have you ever thought what it is costing YOU directly?

Lets do some math — I’ll make it easy.

You head into your local Tim Hortons every morning for a coffee, bagel and donut.  Approx. cost $3.50/day.  Over one week this is costing you $17.00 and per month it is $68.00 and finally over one year it is $816.00.

Lunch costs you $10.00 per day, over a month about $200 or $2,400 per year.

The occasional family dinner out (perhaps 2x per week) at minimum $50.00 per outing or about $200/month or $2,400 per year.

Now on top of spending money on eating out, you are no doubt spending the same amount on groceries — so in fact you are spending twice the amount on food when you really should not be.

Were you keeping track?

Breakfast – approx $816.00

Lunch – approx $2,400

Occasional Dinner – approx $2,400

TOTAL – $5,616.00 or $15.40 per day

You are probably spending money on groceries as well anywhere from $300 per month to as much as $1,200 per month depending on the size of your family.

Not only will you save on the cost to buy the food, but in turn you will slim down since we all know tht fast food really isn’t good for you unless you’re eating salads with no dressing.

So when you look at the cost of the bulge – don’t look at it only from the point of view of healthcare dollars spent or money spent on prescription medications (I know a diabetic that spends about $300 per month on various medications – about $3,600 per year that is paid through private insurance).  What is YOUR OUT OF POCKET expense?  Now imagine if you could cut down your outings by 50% or more – how much will you save?  Remember the savings are not only the hard cash you will save, but your health.

Next time you decide on the $2.50 bag of chips – think about the cost to your health AND your wallet over the course of a year.

Here is to your health!

Mohamed

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Personal Hygiene For Men

Over the next few days/weeks I’ll be presenting a set of posts on personal hygiene for men – really, it’s meant for overweight men – but the topics covered will be of interest to others as well.

Being a big guy – big men are often judged on how they are dressed (and if you are in a long line up) how good (or bad) you smell and your general appearance.

Guys – appearance counts to everyone: your family, friends, the public, your employer, your co-workers – no matter what, people judge everyone by the way they look (whether they are the right weight, overweight or underweight).

Hygiene is not just about smell – it’s about personal grooming as well, things like getting regular haircuts, if you wear a beard ensure it’s trimmed nicely, making sure your fingernails are clean and cut (and yes, if so required going for a manicure), using an anti-perspirant (most have deoderants included), wearing colognes (evening) or using aftershave (during the day), taking care of your teeth (regular dental appointments, brushing, flossing). 

It’s also about washing your clothes regularly, changing under clothes often (a couple of times per day if so required) or even changing a shirt twice per day.  It can even include removing excessive hair on your body (under your arms and groin — don’t make faces!  If you’re an excessive sweater, and have seen a doctor they will ALSO give you that advice).

Guys – it’s the COMPLETE package!  This is not only to make you look good regardless of your size, but so that you look attractive to the opposite (or same sex, depending on how you swing), and when you’re at work you’re not looked at as the “big guy” – but as part of the crowd because you do take care of yourself.

You may be thinking that this is “girly” – after all most women can easily spend hours on personal grooming (women reading this – no I’m not stereotyping you, and actually admire women who do take the time to ensure that they look good).

So stick with me over the next few days, and weeks and you’ll be treated with some practical advice on staying fresh, and looking good!

Mohamed

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