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Girth of a Nation | Holiday Eating Without Overeating, Eating the Best, Leaving the Rest | Community Calendar
Let�s face it. Obesity is a problem in America. National Institute of Health statistics report that two-thirds of adult Americans are overweight. That�s 130 million plus-size people. And a third of them are considered obese, which means they have a body mass index (BMI) greater than 30.
Although you may not qualify as obese, carrying around just a few extra pounds takes a toll on the body.
A person who is 30 pounds overweight has an increased risk for heart disease,� says Ramona Gelzer Bell, M.D., a cardiologist at Northwest Hospital. Statistics show that nearly 70 percent of the diagnosed cases of heart disease are related to obesity.
Folks who weigh more than they should also have increased risk for Type 2 (non-insulin dependent) diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol and even cancer. Steven R. Gambert, M.D., chief of Sinai Hospital�s Department of Medicine, says that people who carry additional pounds put stress on their spine and joints, may suffer from depression, have a poor body image and may even have limited job opportunities.
It�s not easy to lose weight,� Dr. Gambert says, But there is hope for everyone. It�s never too late to live a healthy lifestyle.�
For many people, a modified diet and increased exercise will help the scales begin to tip in their favor. For some, this strategy is not enough. Bariatric surgery, in which the size of the stomach is reduced, is a last resort for those who have not had success with more conservative weight loss methods.
Surgery is not a quick fix, says Alex Gandsas, M.D., head of the Division of Bariatric and Minimally Invasive Surgery at Sinai.
The surgery is the easy part,� he says. For the patients, it is about commitment to completely changing their lifestyle so that they can enjoy a better quality of life.�
Permanently changing your lifestyle. Isn�t that what any successful diet plan is really all about?
As the girth of the nation increases, so too have the myriad ways devised for managing your weight. We need not all have the figure of supermodels to be healthy, but shedding a few pounds could add years to your life (and keep the cost of health care down).
Holiday Eating Without Overeating, Eating the Best, Leaving the Rest
If you're trying to lose weight, chances are you�ve tried Atkins and other popular low carbohydrate diets. But now that the holidays are here, those menacing carb-cravings are sure to intensify. How do you fend them off when dishes full of Thanksgiving sweet potatoes, corn, and oyster stuffing get passed your way at the family table?
Diet experts offer the following tips:
Treating prevents cheating. It�s human nature to want something we can�t have. By allowing yourself to eat small portions of carb-heavy foods, you�ll actually lessen the desire to go back for more later. Carbohydrates are an essential part of any diet. The key is moderating your intake.
Know when to say when. Stop eating once you feel like you�re getting full. If necessary, excuse yourself from the table for a short break. Stay 
committed to your long-term goal.
Eat regularly. Regular, balanced meals are the foundation for eating well. Avoid snacking between meals. If you show up at a holiday party really hungry, you'll eat more than if you're just mildly hungry.
Move regularly. Regular exercise is the key to any diet. Set realistic goals you can measure to help you achieve them. If finding time to exercise is a problem, break up your routine into 10-minute segments.
Manage your stress. For many of us, the holidays can be an especially stressful time. Exercise is the best medicine, so spruce up your routines with holiday-oriented activities like dancing, skating, sledding, skiing, and caroling.
Courtesy of Green Mountain at Fox Run, Ludlow, Vermont. www.fitwoman.com
