Facts and Myths about successful Weight Management.
Entry for September 6, 2007
Dear ALL!
As a practicing Physician and in my health education workshops, I am frequently confronted with the outcomes of uncontrolled obesity in adults and children. Despite the fact that over the last 20 years common knowledge about the negative impact of certain eating and lifestyle habits have widely increased and influenced large parts of our society. It still remains a great and lifelong challenge for an increasing number of people to implement a permanent successful weight management plan in their lives.
Of course there are multiple reasons for this but I have come to the conclusion that many people generally seem to lose or even fail to develop a reliable inner instinct for their nutritional and physical needs. Could it be that the wealth of information we have on this subject is actually confusing people more than guiding them? What about the many different ways of dieting? What is right and what is wrong? Almost everybody seems to know about "Carbs", BMI and saturated fat. Why is it so difficult to transfer this knowledge into our daily working lives? Does a genuine diet really make sense? Especially since research seems to have proven that no diet has a long term effect.
I rarely see patients with a weight challenge who lack motivation to truly change something about it. However, if their motivation is gone in most cases they appear to be discouraged after not reaching their goals.
I would like to hear your opinions on this subject. It does not matter if you have never had a weight challenge, you are currently experiencing one now or you have had a weight challenge in the past. If you have thoughts to share, please feel free to express yourself. I look forward to hearing from ALL of you.
Dr. Karrenberg
2007-09-06 19:31:49 GMT
Comments (44 total)
Author:Anonymous
I am a 47 year old mother, my girls are 6 and 8 years old. Normally, keeping up with them helps me to maintain my ideal weight. Lately, I have gained 10 pounds and I can not lose them!!! My girlfriend said it is because I am pre-menopausal. She said that I have lost both my mental and physical will to lose the weight. I must admit that I do not have the will power to exercise, diet or even eat right anymore! I barely have the energy to get out of bed and start my long day. Could my girlfriend be right about me being pre-menopausal?
Mom who wants to be sexy and healthy again(notice sexy came first)!
--Heather
2007-09-08 21:35:39 GMT
Mom who wants to be sexy and healthy again(notice sexy came first)!
--Heather
Author:Anonymous
Is it possible that the body just stops loosing weight when a person has been overweight forever ? I am one of them. I definitely eat right and I am on my feet all day, rarely having a break but I do not shift that weight at all. I come from a family of big people but I am the biggest :-) being 5'4" and carrying about 180 pounds. Now, what do you say to this ??
--Thomas
<mailto:tom7086200@aol.com>
2007-09-11 22:49:51 GMT
--Thomas
<mailto:tom7086200@aol.com>
Author:Anonymous
What about those working night shifts ? You can not help eating strange things when you up all night, forget exercise.
--Joey
2007-09-12 12:07:54 GMT
--Joey
Author:Anonymous
Everybody talks about addictions to alcohol, drugs, gambling, sex and all kinds of things but there is an addiction to snacking too. I just can not stop it. Otherwise, I swear I live a healthy life but I ruin my shape with the little snacks'n sweets I have on the side. So what do you say ?
--Max
<mailto:Max_Berkovicz@msn.com>
2007-09-14 08:40:23 GMT
--Max
<mailto:Max_Berkovicz@msn.com>
Author:Dr. K.
Heather
It is definitely true that both women and men gain weight easier and loose it much harder just by aging. One reason for this phenomenon is that the activity of the metabolic system definitely slows down throughout life. If this would be the only factor then we would find every retiree being overweight. Also consider your lifestyle, you are describing yours as "slowing down". A lack of energy due to beginning Menopause could be the reason. If you find that you are abnormally tired and weak you should see your doctor. Your physician can assess the situation and rule out possible underlying physical problems that may require medical attention. On the other hand, just being menopausal does not need to change your mindset. It is certainly a period of life that is challenging but it should not lead into resignation or self neglect. Nobody expects that the adjustments will happen in a heartbeat and you should allow yourself time to cope with it in your own way(however not to your disadvantage). Of course at 47 you could be menopausal but this would still be a natural development and not necessarily an immediate health issue. The key is how it is affecting you and how you are going through this period. Just be aware that your body will not forgive bad eating habits and lack of exercise like when you were in your early twenties.
2007-09-16 08:56:03 GMT
It is definitely true that both women and men gain weight easier and loose it much harder just by aging. One reason for this phenomenon is that the activity of the metabolic system definitely slows down throughout life. If this would be the only factor then we would find every retiree being overweight. Also consider your lifestyle, you are describing yours as "slowing down". A lack of energy due to beginning Menopause could be the reason. If you find that you are abnormally tired and weak you should see your doctor. Your physician can assess the situation and rule out possible underlying physical problems that may require medical attention. On the other hand, just being menopausal does not need to change your mindset. It is certainly a period of life that is challenging but it should not lead into resignation or self neglect. Nobody expects that the adjustments will happen in a heartbeat and you should allow yourself time to cope with it in your own way(however not to your disadvantage). Of course at 47 you could be menopausal but this would still be a natural development and not necessarily an immediate health issue. The key is how it is affecting you and how you are going through this period. Just be aware that your body will not forgive bad eating habits and lack of exercise like when you were in your early twenties.
Author:Dr. K.
Thomas and Joey
I see similarities in your questions, so please excuse the fact that I will answer both questions together.
First of all, both of you are right. There are a lot of conditions that contribute to weight problems. Hereditary factors or working night shifts can definitely make it harder to maintain a reasonable weight or even to achieve a significant weight loss. Having the challenge of tending towards Obesity does not mean that you can not do anything against it. It is not impossible even under these circumstances. In this situation your weight management requires more than average discipline to lose or maintain body weight. It does not make you helpless! This situation is comparable to working night shifts which mostly leads to automatically drinking coffee, eating fast food and consuming lots of sugar! You are hungry but you avoid a balance meal at this hour because it can cause extreme tiredness. An alternative could be to prepare light sandwiches, salads, vegetables and fruits along with plenty of water. Having small meals every two to three hours will help you to maintain a constant stable blood sugar level that enables you to fulfill your work as well as maintaining a healthy diet. Fitting in exercise every chance you get at work and everywhere else. Walking up the stairs instead of taking the elevator. In conclusion there are no excuses just challenges in daily life that need to be dealt with. Good Luck!
2007-09-16 08:59:21 GMT
I see similarities in your questions, so please excuse the fact that I will answer both questions together.
First of all, both of you are right. There are a lot of conditions that contribute to weight problems. Hereditary factors or working night shifts can definitely make it harder to maintain a reasonable weight or even to achieve a significant weight loss. Having the challenge of tending towards Obesity does not mean that you can not do anything against it. It is not impossible even under these circumstances. In this situation your weight management requires more than average discipline to lose or maintain body weight. It does not make you helpless! This situation is comparable to working night shifts which mostly leads to automatically drinking coffee, eating fast food and consuming lots of sugar! You are hungry but you avoid a balance meal at this hour because it can cause extreme tiredness. An alternative could be to prepare light sandwiches, salads, vegetables and fruits along with plenty of water. Having small meals every two to three hours will help you to maintain a constant stable blood sugar level that enables you to fulfill your work as well as maintaining a healthy diet. Fitting in exercise every chance you get at work and everywhere else. Walking up the stairs instead of taking the elevator. In conclusion there are no excuses just challenges in daily life that need to be dealt with. Good Luck!
Author:Anonymous
Hi Holger,
nice foto (Asha her words)At the present moment Iam changing my diet, instead of butter I use becel and raps oil. What helps too is to make a spending budget for groceries, so that you don't buy too much junk. It makes me feel good about myself and my body, as a 44 yerar old I have to watch my weight a little more. The Indonesian cooking however I didn't cut Haha
2007-09-16 17:22:40 GMT
nice foto (Asha her words)At the present moment Iam changing my diet, instead of butter I use becel and raps oil. What helps too is to make a spending budget for groceries, so that you don't buy too much junk. It makes me feel good about myself and my body, as a 44 yerar old I have to watch my weight a little more. The Indonesian cooking however I didn't cut Haha
Author:Anonymous
How helpful is colon cleansing and internal cleansing? Does it help with weight loss? Is it a healthy way to keep your body healthy?
2007-09-16 22:59:53 GMT
Author:Dr. K.
Dear Flora,
I am glad it pays off that I taught you all the secrets of Indonesian cooking :-) In general it is a great diet because it helps to maintain a stable weight. It is rich in Fiber and Proteins with comparable little amounts of saturated fat. The downside of this great tasting food is that most of it is served with a lot of white rice or white noodles which unfortunately could contribute to weight gain. If eaten on a regular basis and without regular exercise.
2007-09-18 10:58:56 GMT
I am glad it pays off that I taught you all the secrets of Indonesian cooking :-) In general it is a great diet because it helps to maintain a stable weight. It is rich in Fiber and Proteins with comparable little amounts of saturated fat. The downside of this great tasting food is that most of it is served with a lot of white rice or white noodles which unfortunately could contribute to weight gain. If eaten on a regular basis and without regular exercise.
Author:Dr. K.
Bowel cleansing is a procedure that is mainly described as Colon Hydrotherapy. It is a treatment that is performed in the area of alternative medicine. It is performed under the Hypothesis that the irrigation of the bowels with purified water can eliminate certain Toxins. This is not a procedure that is recommended in mainstream medicine and from this point of view it has no effect. Especially since the procedure can possibly lead to a serious exacerbation of unrecognized bowel conditions that are especially common in elder people.(i.e. Diverticulitis)
Internal cleansing generally describes a fasting prceudre, which is performed in many cultures for health or religious reasons. The different ways of fasting implement different rules on how to proceed with it. The abstinence from food or certain types of food for a period of time is supposed to have a cleaning effect to the system. Fasting is recommended in some areas of Natural Medicine. It is more a cultural than a medical procedure and its effect can not be reliably proven or denied.
2007-09-18 11:01:00 GMT
Internal cleansing generally describes a fasting prceudre, which is performed in many cultures for health or religious reasons. The different ways of fasting implement different rules on how to proceed with it. The abstinence from food or certain types of food for a period of time is supposed to have a cleaning effect to the system. Fasting is recommended in some areas of Natural Medicine. It is more a cultural than a medical procedure and its effect can not be reliably proven or denied.
Author:Dr. K.
Max,
What you are describing is basically an eating disorder. If it has become a significant problem you should consult a licensed dietitian or medical doctor.
2007-09-18 11:01:47 GMT
What you are describing is basically an eating disorder. If it has become a significant problem you should consult a licensed dietitian or medical doctor.
Author:Anonymous
Hello Holger,
Now that you and Enid are in the states I do not go to the boat as often, and when you miss those kind of platters weight will not be an issue. I do a lot of exercising to help me control my weight and you know I do not turn away to many meals from Sylvia.
--anonymous
2007-09-18 13:03:25 GMT
Now that you and Enid are in the states I do not go to the boat as often, and when you miss those kind of platters weight will not be an issue. I do a lot of exercising to help me control my weight and you know I do not turn away to many meals from Sylvia.
--anonymous
Author:Dr. K.
Sylvia, since I know how eager you and Tommy are exercising you are keeping the right balance. (until we get back to the meals on the boat ...)
2007-09-19 06:35:25 GMT
Author:Anonymous
Dr K.
My son is 9 years old and weighs 80 lbs. He's fairly tall but lately I have seen that he is developing a beer belly (without the beer). I have him envolved with sports (soccer and baseball), but when those sports are not in season he gets very little exercise. What can I do to help him stay slim and HEALTHY?
P.S Tell Enid (Kaye) I said hello.
--RM from GA
2007-09-19 19:26:49 GMT
My son is 9 years old and weighs 80 lbs. He's fairly tall but lately I have seen that he is developing a beer belly (without the beer). I have him envolved with sports (soccer and baseball), but when those sports are not in season he gets very little exercise. What can I do to help him stay slim and HEALTHY?
P.S Tell Enid (Kaye) I said hello.
--RM from GA
Author:Anonymous
What an informative and non-threatening approach this is to such a personal, yet extremely important subject! Keep up the great work! You have probably already helped more people than you can imagine.
--Joan Brady
2007-09-20 03:49:19 GMT
--Joan Brady
Author:Dr. K.
Dear RM,
Thank you very much for your comment. Unfortunately you did not mention the height of your son but I still can give you some helpful information. The Center of Disease Control(CDC) has developed a "BMI for age" instrument to assess if a child is overweight. It considers the age, height and weight of children starting from 2 years old. According to your measurements your son would be at risk for being overweight if he would be smaller than 4'6". If he is taller than that, than he is rather likely in the normal range of weight despite your observation of his anatomical development. However, a nine year old child is still in the process of developing his musculoskeletal system and especially his abdominal muscles and back muscles are not fully developed yet to stabilize his continuously growing torso, which sometimes appears like a "beer belly". The single appearance of a "belly" does not necessarily mean that he is developing too much body fat. If this would be the case then this would also be expressed on his limbs. In general it has to be said, that the prevention and control of childhood obesity requires regular physical exercise with endurance activities on a daily basis along with a diet that avoids processed sugars and fast food. It might be better if he has the opportunity to try different kinds of sports until he finds something he really likes to do since it seems that you have to motivate him. His episodes of physical inactivity(i.e. sitting in front of the t.v.) should be very limited. If you are still unsure if he might be developing an obesity problem contact your Pediatrician to have him assessed.
2007-09-20 12:24:06 GMT
Thank you very much for your comment. Unfortunately you did not mention the height of your son but I still can give you some helpful information. The Center of Disease Control(CDC) has developed a "BMI for age" instrument to assess if a child is overweight. It considers the age, height and weight of children starting from 2 years old. According to your measurements your son would be at risk for being overweight if he would be smaller than 4'6". If he is taller than that, than he is rather likely in the normal range of weight despite your observation of his anatomical development. However, a nine year old child is still in the process of developing his musculoskeletal system and especially his abdominal muscles and back muscles are not fully developed yet to stabilize his continuously growing torso, which sometimes appears like a "beer belly". The single appearance of a "belly" does not necessarily mean that he is developing too much body fat. If this would be the case then this would also be expressed on his limbs. In general it has to be said, that the prevention and control of childhood obesity requires regular physical exercise with endurance activities on a daily basis along with a diet that avoids processed sugars and fast food. It might be better if he has the opportunity to try different kinds of sports until he finds something he really likes to do since it seems that you have to motivate him. His episodes of physical inactivity(i.e. sitting in front of the t.v.) should be very limited. If you are still unsure if he might be developing an obesity problem contact your Pediatrician to have him assessed.
Author:Anonymous
Thank you Holger for such an informative response. You answer made sense to me. I didn't even think about his anatomical development. I was more so thinking about he comes from a long line of "FLUFFY" (my nice word for overweight) people in his family. I try to limit his fast food intake but he is still a carb junkie. He loves breads and pastas. He will eat salads and fruits but other vegetables are hard for me to get him to eat. He is actually 4'7" and his arms and legs are still slendor, muscular even. He rarely gets to sit in front of the television during the week because he is constantly doing homework, but never the less he is still sitting. As far as sports he wants to play, I don't try to force or overmotivate him to do things; I motivate good grades in school. Thanks again for your helpful comments and suggestions. Keep up the good work!!!!
--RM from GA
2007-09-20 15:18:34 GMT
--RM from GA
Author:Anonymous
Dr. K,
I am a young women in my 20's and have pretty much maintained the same weight my whole life. Over the last year I have begun to put on weight (over 20 pounds) yet I still remain active. Now let me clear up active, i'm pretty much doing the same things I was before. Up on my feet running around all day for work and am social in my personal life (lots of dancing). It almost seems like it I didn't notice, it just crept up on me. Does this mean my metabolism has changed? Or is this just a sign of getting older?
--Nicole Z.
2007-09-20 22:29:15 GMT
I am a young women in my 20's and have pretty much maintained the same weight my whole life. Over the last year I have begun to put on weight (over 20 pounds) yet I still remain active. Now let me clear up active, i'm pretty much doing the same things I was before. Up on my feet running around all day for work and am social in my personal life (lots of dancing). It almost seems like it I didn't notice, it just crept up on me. Does this mean my metabolism has changed? Or is this just a sign of getting older?
--Nicole Z.
Author:Anonymous
Dr. K,
I am always on the run and eat fast food all the time. I just feel like grocery shopping and cooking meals seem to be a waste, since I am a single male who lives on my own. I agree with Joey, sometime you can't help but eat strange things when you are on the go. A lot of the Fast Food Corporations these days are saying they have healthy meals (Subway, McDonalds, etc.) Are there any fast foods/places I can eat that are healthy or are all these advertisments a hoax?
--Anthony
2007-09-20 22:35:29 GMT
I am always on the run and eat fast food all the time. I just feel like grocery shopping and cooking meals seem to be a waste, since I am a single male who lives on my own. I agree with Joey, sometime you can't help but eat strange things when you are on the go. A lot of the Fast Food Corporations these days are saying they have healthy meals (Subway, McDonalds, etc.) Are there any fast foods/places I can eat that are healthy or are all these advertisments a hoax?
--Anthony
Author:Dr. K.
Dear RM,
Thank you for your reply. In accordance to the BMI for age instrument that I mentioned earlier your son's BMI is about 18.5 which means a healthy weight but in the upper range. It means that he is around the 82nd percentile of average weight development of children his age. This again means that 82% of the children of the same age and height have less or equal body weight. This scale does not consider hereditary and ethnic factors and can therefore not have full predictive value. But by observing this parameter over time, it will give you information if his further development will increase his risk to develop obesity. Since you are already very aware of this situation, I am sure that you are doing all the right and necessary things to avoid your child from having an obesity challenge. You can find an easy to use BMI Calculator for Children here:
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/bmi/childrens_BMI/about_childrens_BMI.htm
2007-09-21 06:14:37 GMT
Thank you for your reply. In accordance to the BMI for age instrument that I mentioned earlier your son's BMI is about 18.5 which means a healthy weight but in the upper range. It means that he is around the 82nd percentile of average weight development of children his age. This again means that 82% of the children of the same age and height have less or equal body weight. This scale does not consider hereditary and ethnic factors and can therefore not have full predictive value. But by observing this parameter over time, it will give you information if his further development will increase his risk to develop obesity. Since you are already very aware of this situation, I am sure that you are doing all the right and necessary things to avoid your child from having an obesity challenge. You can find an easy to use BMI Calculator for Children here:
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/bmi/childrens_BMI/about_childrens_BMI.htm
Author:Dr. K.
Dear Nicole,
There is definitely a lot different factors contributing to gaining weight and the development of obesity. What we consider as "normal" under the criteria of the Body Mass Index is what the average healthy person of a certain age and height weighs. In the end no matter what hereditary or metabolic factors someone has, the body weight in an otherwise healthy person increases due to poor eating habits and a lack of exercise. You should assess your BMI Index with the BMI Tool in this blog. Is it over 25 or very close to it? Then you may really face a weight challenge. Even if you are an active person you may not be challenging your metabolism with activities that require your body to increase the oxygen intake and increase your heart rate. Or it you do perform activities like this, then it may not be often enough or long enough. As a common rule participation in activities like walking, jogging, running, swimming or bike riding performed in a moderate intensity of 30 minutes on a daily basis burns about 2000 calories of body fat per week. Of course this is an estimate but it clearly shows the relationship between loss of body fat and physical exercise. Now the other side of the challenge needs to be addressed. Is your diet really low in sugars and saturated fat? That would mean there is no or very rarely sodas, white bread, coffee, sugary snacks, pastries, fast food or deep fried food on your menu. I am sure if you approach the challenge from both sides and make the necessary adjustments you will definitely be able to loose weight and maintain your normal weight over time.
2007-09-24 06:38:53 GMT
There is definitely a lot different factors contributing to gaining weight and the development of obesity. What we consider as "normal" under the criteria of the Body Mass Index is what the average healthy person of a certain age and height weighs. In the end no matter what hereditary or metabolic factors someone has, the body weight in an otherwise healthy person increases due to poor eating habits and a lack of exercise. You should assess your BMI Index with the BMI Tool in this blog. Is it over 25 or very close to it? Then you may really face a weight challenge. Even if you are an active person you may not be challenging your metabolism with activities that require your body to increase the oxygen intake and increase your heart rate. Or it you do perform activities like this, then it may not be often enough or long enough. As a common rule participation in activities like walking, jogging, running, swimming or bike riding performed in a moderate intensity of 30 minutes on a daily basis burns about 2000 calories of body fat per week. Of course this is an estimate but it clearly shows the relationship between loss of body fat and physical exercise. Now the other side of the challenge needs to be addressed. Is your diet really low in sugars and saturated fat? That would mean there is no or very rarely sodas, white bread, coffee, sugary snacks, pastries, fast food or deep fried food on your menu. I am sure if you approach the challenge from both sides and make the necessary adjustments you will definitely be able to loose weight and maintain your normal weight over time.
Author:Dr. K.
Anthony,
I am sure there is not a lot of young single men(women) out there who cook fully balanced meals everyday just for themselves. You are right, some single items in fast food establishments offer a good balance concerning their content of carbohydrates, fat and proteins especially when the meal comes with brown bread instead of white bread. Which means that a single meal of this kind once a day may be absolutely fine. The question is what else is on the daily menu? The maxi-soft drink or the ice cream sundae along with that "healthy" burger can ruin its benefit really quick. It also has to be considered how balanced are the other meals of the day? Especially for those single people who do not have regular eating habits; they tend to nibble on a lot of unhealthy items throughout the day when they get hungry. The typical quick chocolate bar just to resolve a terrible hunger headache is the best example. A person with an eating pattern like this should make sure that their meals are light and at least every 3-4 hours. This will achieve a steady blood sugar level which avoids craving for quick sweets and improves physical performance. Eating every 3-4 hours also curves the desire to nibble in between meals. The light meals should consist of plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Forsaking any toppings, i.e. salad dressing, whip cream or cottage cheese.
2007-09-24 18:09:17 GMT
Anthony,
I am sure there is not a lot of young single men(women) out there who cook fully balanced meals everyday just for themselves. You are right, some single items in fast food establishments offer a good balance concerning their content of carbohydrates, fat and proteins especially when the meal comes with brown bread instead of white bread. Which means that a single meal of this kind once a day may be absolutely fine. The question is what else is on the daily menu? The maxi-soft drink or the ice cream sundae along with that "healthy" burger can ruin its benefit really quick. It also has to be considered how balanced are the other meals of the day? Especially for those single people who do not have regular eating habits; they tend to nibble on a lot of unhealthy items throughout the day when they get hungry. The typical quick chocolate bar just to resolve a terrible hunger headache is the best example. A person with an eating pattern like this should make sure that their meals are light and at least every 3-4 hours. This will achieve a steady blood sugar level which avoids craving for quick sweets and improves physical performance. Eating every 3-4 hours also curves the desire to nibble in between meals. The light meals should consist of plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Forsaking any toppings, i.e. salad dressing, whip cream or cottage cheese.
Author:Anonymous
Dear Dr. Karrenberg,
Americans are so lazy and wasteful! In my native country we eat sugar in its raw form and we are not an obese nation. All that quick junk food from early childhood and lack of exercise. When I go to dinner parties everyone is always talking about the lastest diet craze. Everyone has an opinion on nutrition. Only a handful of Americans actually eat and exercise right. This is evident in the fat children, teenagers and adults that grow here.
--Rasheed
2007-09-25 22:49:13 GMT
Americans are so lazy and wasteful! In my native country we eat sugar in its raw form and we are not an obese nation. All that quick junk food from early childhood and lack of exercise. When I go to dinner parties everyone is always talking about the lastest diet craze. Everyone has an opinion on nutrition. Only a handful of Americans actually eat and exercise right. This is evident in the fat children, teenagers and adults that grow here.
--Rasheed
Author:Dr. K.
Rasheed,
Obesity exists in about 1 billion adults and children all over the world. It is not a problem that only applies significantly to the United States. According to the WHO(World Health Organization)it is true that the countries with the highest number of obese people worldwide are the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia. Considering obesity that is induced by an individual's lifestyle it has to be said that the cultural development in a society definitely plays a huge role in this. Due to technical progress in many professions the requirement of physical efforts have gotten less and less. While simultaneously even recreation consists more and more of passive entertainment instead of physical activity. Furthermore, the wide distribution of processed food has influenced common eating habits. Cultures that still continue a mixture of traditional eating patterns with regular physical activity show a significant lower number of obese people. This is comparable with obesity development across different generations. As an example, in my childhood days growing up in rural Germany we were very eager to compete against each other in swimming, bike riding and running. These physical activities are being replaced more and more by computer activities. Physical as well as intellectual activities should be apart of a person's life but a constant balance must be maintained.
2007-09-27 20:31:13 GMT
Obesity exists in about 1 billion adults and children all over the world. It is not a problem that only applies significantly to the United States. According to the WHO(World Health Organization)it is true that the countries with the highest number of obese people worldwide are the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia. Considering obesity that is induced by an individual's lifestyle it has to be said that the cultural development in a society definitely plays a huge role in this. Due to technical progress in many professions the requirement of physical efforts have gotten less and less. While simultaneously even recreation consists more and more of passive entertainment instead of physical activity. Furthermore, the wide distribution of processed food has influenced common eating habits. Cultures that still continue a mixture of traditional eating patterns with regular physical activity show a significant lower number of obese people. This is comparable with obesity development across different generations. As an example, in my childhood days growing up in rural Germany we were very eager to compete against each other in swimming, bike riding and running. These physical activities are being replaced more and more by computer activities. Physical as well as intellectual activities should be apart of a person's life but a constant balance must be maintained.
Author:Anonymous
Hi, some Dietitian I saw a couple of years ago told me I should have a protein based diet to lose weight. Can you tell me what is the point in this ?
--Mandy
2007-09-29 22:18:53 GMT
--Mandy
Author:Dr. K.
Dear Mandy,
I am happy to give you information on this topic but I have to state that weight reduction "diets" of any kind is not what I am promoting. Any single sided weight reduction diet leads away from the main goal that needs to be achieved. Which is weight management consisting of balanced nutrition and regular physical exercise. Only this will enable people to reach and maintain a healthy body with normal weight under "real life" circumstances. Consuming almost solely protein in the form of meat, poultry, fish, low fat and unsweetened dairy products will cause the overall appetite to decrease significantly. The main reason for this is unknown. It may have to do with the fact that some of the essential Amino Acids which build the molecular structure of proteins turns into glucose during digestion. The individual will become less hungry and will eat less under these circumstances. Therefore, the intake of other weight relevant food is limited anyway. Thank you!
2007-10-04 06:17:35 GMT
I am happy to give you information on this topic but I have to state that weight reduction "diets" of any kind is not what I am promoting. Any single sided weight reduction diet leads away from the main goal that needs to be achieved. Which is weight management consisting of balanced nutrition and regular physical exercise. Only this will enable people to reach and maintain a healthy body with normal weight under "real life" circumstances. Consuming almost solely protein in the form of meat, poultry, fish, low fat and unsweetened dairy products will cause the overall appetite to decrease significantly. The main reason for this is unknown. It may have to do with the fact that some of the essential Amino Acids which build the molecular structure of proteins turns into glucose during digestion. The individual will become less hungry and will eat less under these circumstances. Therefore, the intake of other weight relevant food is limited anyway. Thank you!
Author:Anonymous
I gained about 12 pounds within just six month. I am definitely active, exercising and watching my food. I have no explanation for this. Especially since I seem to gain even more weight. I am now 186 lbs.
--Steve
2007-10-11 20:54:41 GMT
--Steve
Author:Dr. K.
Steve,
Requested information on this subject seems to be very popular among both male and female adults.
Simply avoiding fatty foods or sweets alone may not necessarily reduce your overall daily calorie intake. In a situation like yours you might need to go ahead and log for two weeks the calorie load of your food and compare it with what you are actually burning with your activities. You can find very useful calculators for this at:
www.foodfileonline.com and www.walking.about.com/cs/calories/l/blcalcalc.htm.
A medical condition that may need to be ruled out, if you do not detect any mistakes in your total diet plan is a possible dysfunction of the Thyroid Gland. Dr. Karrenberg
2007-10-11 21:13:09 GMT
Requested information on this subject seems to be very popular among both male and female adults.
Simply avoiding fatty foods or sweets alone may not necessarily reduce your overall daily calorie intake. In a situation like yours you might need to go ahead and log for two weeks the calorie load of your food and compare it with what you are actually burning with your activities. You can find very useful calculators for this at:
www.foodfileonline.com and www.walking.about.com/cs/calories/l/blcalcalc.htm.
A medical condition that may need to be ruled out, if you do not detect any mistakes in your total diet plan is a possible dysfunction of the Thyroid Gland. Dr. Karrenberg
Author:Anonymous
I am on a very restrictive diet that is producing great results. By reducing my calories significantly I have been able to rapidly reduce my weight. My concern is that my body will go into a starvation mode and when I return to normal eating normal, I will fatten up. Is this a valid concern? I do cardio and lift weights and always try to eat healthy but a significant reduced calorie diet is the only method that has produced the weight loss I need.
--Dux
<mailto:weapondux@aol.com>
2007-10-14 00:50:21 GMT
--Dux
<mailto:weapondux@aol.com>
Author:Dr. K.
Dux,
You are describing a very common problem of weight reduction diets. Yes, you are right if pursued over a longer period of time of about 4 weeks or longer your body will reduce its basal metabolic rate and produce more Growth Hormone to be ready to make up for what you have lost when your diet is over and you go back to your previous eating habits. This leads to the well known YO-YO effect. Exercising while simultaneously being on a strict calorie reduced diet may cause you to experience dramatic weight loss but not necessarily due to significant loss of body fat but from significant dehydration. A very strict diet with less than an average of 1500 calories daily can also lead to vitamin deficiencies as well. I am sure you are highly motivated and you should channel your energy into a completely new health program which adjusts your eating and exercise habits. Your desired results may not be achieved quickly but they will be long-lasting and without a YO YO effect. Your nutrition will have to fulfill the following criteria:
. Calorie reduction due to low fat
. Rich in fibers
. 50-60% carbohydrates
. 20% proteins
Concerning your exercise program regarding weight loss you should engage in endurance activities which require your body to increase the oxygen intake more than performing weight lifting or other sporting activities with a "stop and go" mechanism. Since they are not the adequate trigger for your system to burn excess body fat.
Within the following week more detailed information will be offered on my blog site about this subject. Dr. Karrenberg
2007-10-16 17:22:11 GMT
You are describing a very common problem of weight reduction diets. Yes, you are right if pursued over a longer period of time of about 4 weeks or longer your body will reduce its basal metabolic rate and produce more Growth Hormone to be ready to make up for what you have lost when your diet is over and you go back to your previous eating habits. This leads to the well known YO-YO effect. Exercising while simultaneously being on a strict calorie reduced diet may cause you to experience dramatic weight loss but not necessarily due to significant loss of body fat but from significant dehydration. A very strict diet with less than an average of 1500 calories daily can also lead to vitamin deficiencies as well. I am sure you are highly motivated and you should channel your energy into a completely new health program which adjusts your eating and exercise habits. Your desired results may not be achieved quickly but they will be long-lasting and without a YO YO effect. Your nutrition will have to fulfill the following criteria:
. Calorie reduction due to low fat
. Rich in fibers
. 50-60% carbohydrates
. 20% proteins
Concerning your exercise program regarding weight loss you should engage in endurance activities which require your body to increase the oxygen intake more than performing weight lifting or other sporting activities with a "stop and go" mechanism. Since they are not the adequate trigger for your system to burn excess body fat.
Within the following week more detailed information will be offered on my blog site about this subject. Dr. Karrenberg
Author:Anonymous
Hello, My husband and I have a big controversy about the use of processed sugar in our childrens diet. He says it is ok but "limited" although he does not know how much that should be. I think it should not be in it at all. Who is right ?
--Jenna
2007-10-18 22:32:47 GMT
--Jenna
Author:Dr. K.
Dear Jenna,
Thank you for this interesting question. The type of sugar that is mainly used in the production of sweets or junk food is the white refined crystalline sugar along with other so called "simple sugars". These can also be found in Syrups, Juices and Honey as well. The most widely used sugars of this kind are table sugars as well as Fructose and Glucose. They are considered "fast" Carbohydrates since they deliver energy rapidly but also support weight gain since the metabolic system transfers them into Lipids if consumed in excess over time. Unfortunately, if consumed on a regular basis by children these sugars support weight gain, obesity, tooth decay, diabetes and hyperactivity. Once a child has experienced the pleasant sweetness of sugar it is very difficult for them to stay on a sugar free diet afterwards. Therefore, sugar should be avoided for as long as possible as a part of the daily diet for a child. Even for adults these sugars should not deliver more than 10% of the daily Carbohydrates for the same reasons. Dr. Karrenberg
2007-10-24 22:47:25 GMT
Thank you for this interesting question. The type of sugar that is mainly used in the production of sweets or junk food is the white refined crystalline sugar along with other so called "simple sugars". These can also be found in Syrups, Juices and Honey as well. The most widely used sugars of this kind are table sugars as well as Fructose and Glucose. They are considered "fast" Carbohydrates since they deliver energy rapidly but also support weight gain since the metabolic system transfers them into Lipids if consumed in excess over time. Unfortunately, if consumed on a regular basis by children these sugars support weight gain, obesity, tooth decay, diabetes and hyperactivity. Once a child has experienced the pleasant sweetness of sugar it is very difficult for them to stay on a sugar free diet afterwards. Therefore, sugar should be avoided for as long as possible as a part of the daily diet for a child. Even for adults these sugars should not deliver more than 10% of the daily Carbohydrates for the same reasons. Dr. Karrenberg
Author:Anonymous
Hello Dr. Karrenberg,
I attended your seminar at the Health & Fitness Exposition in LA in July. I had my baby since then, a sweet little girl. I always wanted to know how the Stars and Models get back in such great shape after a Pregnancy. If I look at Heidi Klum having three babies I can not believe it. I look forward to your reply.
--Stephanie
2007-10-30 17:17:51 GMT
I attended your seminar at the Health & Fitness Exposition in LA in July. I had my baby since then, a sweet little girl. I always wanted to know how the Stars and Models get back in such great shape after a Pregnancy. If I look at Heidi Klum having three babies I can not believe it. I look forward to your reply.
--Stephanie
Author:Dr. K.
Dear Stephanie,
First of all congratulations on having a healthy new baby girl!
When we look at a female celebrity like Heidi Klum who seems to reach her previous shape and size in almost no time soon after her pregnancy then we have to observe two facts.
1. The weight gained through the pregnancy did not necessarily caused a significant increase of body fat, which would be harder to lose after a pregnancy.
2. Depending on the built and size of a woman prior to pregnancy the weight gain on the average is between 25 to 40 lbs. during her pregnancy.
The results of various scientific studies on this subject shows only 25% of this additional weight is actually caused by an increase of body fat if a more or less normal diet was maintained. Which would result in about a 6 to 10lb. fat induced weight gain only. Assuming that a pregnant woman does not completely surrender to severe cravings for all kinds of high calorie food and also maintains basic regular physical activities throughout the pregnancy. This 'Heidi Klum effect" can be achieved by other women as well.
2007-11-05 13:33:13 GMT
First of all congratulations on having a healthy new baby girl!
When we look at a female celebrity like Heidi Klum who seems to reach her previous shape and size in almost no time soon after her pregnancy then we have to observe two facts.
1. The weight gained through the pregnancy did not necessarily caused a significant increase of body fat, which would be harder to lose after a pregnancy.
2. Depending on the built and size of a woman prior to pregnancy the weight gain on the average is between 25 to 40 lbs. during her pregnancy.
The results of various scientific studies on this subject shows only 25% of this additional weight is actually caused by an increase of body fat if a more or less normal diet was maintained. Which would result in about a 6 to 10lb. fat induced weight gain only. Assuming that a pregnant woman does not completely surrender to severe cravings for all kinds of high calorie food and also maintains basic regular physical activities throughout the pregnancy. This 'Heidi Klum effect" can be achieved by other women as well.
Author:Anonymous
I have successfully lose 9lbs. My goal is to lose 13lbs in total but now I can not lose the last 4lbs! I am still eating correctly, exercising daily for 40 minutes and drinking lots of water. Why can I not lose these last 4lbs? Have I reached my weight plateau? If so what can I do to finally reach my weight goal? Also what do I need to do to maintain my ideal weight forever? I do not want to experience the yo-yo effect like your other blog reader.
--DIANE
2007-11-06 12:31:43 GMT
--DIANE
Author:Dr. K.
It sounds very good that you have lost 9lbs through regular exercise and a change of your diet. How much time did it take you to achieve this? I understand that your goal is to lose 4lbs more but why is this comparably small range so important? Is this putting you in a normal BMI range or is this the weight that you want to reach because it would make you feel better? Maybe you are already in a normal weight range for your body composition. I do not understand why you are being so impatient when you have had such great success already. The real challenge is to maintain a normal weight rather than reaching it fast. There is no sense in stressing about it especially since you will definitely reach it over time. Realistically, a healthy weight loss happens in a speed of 1/2-3lbs per week. The faster the weight loss happens the unhealthier the diet is. This definitely will not make you feel good physically or emotionally.
2007-11-13 17:22:32 GMT
Author:Anonymous
Dear Dr. Karrenberg,
It has taken me 2 months to lose 9 pounds. Losing the additional 4 pounds would put me back to my pre-wedding weight! At the present time I am in a normal BMI range. The additional weight loss will frankly make me feel young and sexy again! My self confidence will become stronger and I can then switch my attention to maintaining my weight loss as you have suggested. Also, I can finally concentrate on other personal goals that I want to achieve in life. Diane
2007-11-13 17:26:25 GMT
It has taken me 2 months to lose 9 pounds. Losing the additional 4 pounds would put me back to my pre-wedding weight! At the present time I am in a normal BMI range. The additional weight loss will frankly make me feel young and sexy again! My self confidence will become stronger and I can then switch my attention to maintaining my weight loss as you have suggested. Also, I can finally concentrate on other personal goals that I want to achieve in life. Diane
Author:Anonymous
Hi Dr. K, The NCLEX Course was a big help. I passed on the first attempt. Now I have to get rid of all the sweets I ate because of that Stress !!! What do you suggest ?
--Tanya , (Reno NCLEX Course)
2007-12-04 18:33:17 GMT
--Tanya , (Reno NCLEX Course)
Author:Dr. K.
Congratulations ! Now since you can go on with your life after this stressfull time, your eating habits should be back to normal. Just keep in mind that stress seems to be a trigger that affects your eating habits.
2007-12-28 10:23:16 GMT
Author:Anonymous
Happy New Year ! What do you mean with "eliminating" food that supports obesity ? I take this year as a new start for me and my daughter to really loose some weight. We both need it although I think children slim easier because they are more active anyway. Is there a simple road map about the the do's and dont's ?
--Wynona
2008-01-01 10:47:55 GMT
--Wynona
Author:Dr. K.
It is definitely a good idea to approach a weight problem by eliminating certain foods from your diets. This can be quite successful, especially if these efforts are accompanied by moderate forms of physical exercise. A good start on this project would be for both of you to stop consuming sweets, soft drinks of any kind, bread and rolls which are made from white flour(toast etc.) and definitely no deep fried food(fries etc.). These foods are the main calorie carries in an average daily diet. Both of you should monitor your weight weekly and participate in exercises that you really enjoy. Do not pick sports that you do not really like because you wil not pursue them very long.
2008-01-14 11:32:44 GMT
Author:Anonymous
I read a lot about transfats and how unhealthy they are but nobody tells you what kind of food is carrying them. Does anybody here know ?
--Vince
2008-01-28 12:57:06 GMT
I read a lot about transfats and how unhealthy they are but nobody tells you what kind of food is carrying them. Does anybody here know ?
--Vince
Author:Dr. K.
Vince,
Transfats are basically vegetable oils and fats which are chemically enriched with hydrogen molecules. In this way vegetable fats increase their caloric load, become tastier and more aromatic, almost as fats from animal sources. But yet, they are much cheaper for the manufacturers. Transfats were widely used in the producation of chocolates and in fast food. Since they are contributing significantly to obesity and might even contribute to the development of cancer they have been widely banned in many countries. In the United States New York was the first state that prohibited its use.
2008-02-07 12:17:09 GMT
Transfats are basically vegetable oils and fats which are chemically enriched with hydrogen molecules. In this way vegetable fats increase their caloric load, become tastier and more aromatic, almost as fats from animal sources. But yet, they are much cheaper for the manufacturers. Transfats were widely used in the producation of chocolates and in fast food. Since they are contributing significantly to obesity and might even contribute to the development of cancer they have been widely banned in many countries. In the United States New York was the first state that prohibited its use.
Author:Anonymous
2008-06-19 17:20:47 GMT
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