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Diabesity
At least one third of Australians have been unsuccessful at maintaining their weights within healthy ranges. Obesity is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes, and it is estimated that more than 20 million Americans are currently diabetic, one third of whom do not realise they have the disease.
In Australia recent reports state that up to 280 people per day are being diagnosed with diabetes. Because obesity and diabetes often go hand in hand, a new term has been coined to describe our current healthcare crisis: “The Diabesity Epidemic.”
There are many factors influencing obesity and diabetes rates. Sedentary lifestyles, ubiquitous junk food, the supersizing of meal portions, and “emotional eating” are just a few.
Australia's diabesity problem is not about moral failure, laziness, or lack of effort. It's about the wrong philosophical underpinnings. We have fallen for the idea that there is a quick fix for everything; especially weight loss. We look to fad diets, extreme athletics, diet pills, and surgical interventions as a miracle cure for all of our problems.
We must make a philosophical frame shift towards a rehabilitation model of weight control. Why rehab? Because rehabilitation involves a long-term commitment; an acknowledgment that the opportunity for weight regain will never go away.
Rehabilitation literally means “the restoration of lost capabilities.” It is a hopeful word, because it presumes that individuals have the capacity to improve, to walk farther, feel better, maintain a healthy weight, and add life to years.
Maintaining your optimum weight is hard. It takes a constant committment. You will need a network of support. From your health care professional, a training partner, to friends and family. Hopefully Emed forms part of this network providing you with the most up to date research backed information.
You need to identify the serious health risks that come from being overweight and keep these in your mind while you achieve your goals. Diabesity is the next epidemic. The costs associated with treating and managing the devestating results of diabesty will impact on our children forever.
Do something for yourself, do something for your kids. Turn the television off and kick the footy with them or take them on a bike ride. Change your habits and your habits will change your life.
Obesity is Tough on Joints
Osteoarthritis is one of several health complications associated with obesity and is one of the leading reasons for hip or knee replacement surgery. Researchers have concluded that obesity is, at the least, an indirect contributor to joint replacement. However, exactly what role extra weight plays in the incidence of joint replacement surgery remains unclear.
In this Canadian study, researchers investigated this potential connection in patients undergoing hip or knee replacement surgery in 2003 and 2004. Patients were assigned to one of four categories (underweight, acceptable weight, overweight, or obese) based on accepted standards for body mass index (BMI). Here's what the researchers found:
Eighty-seven percent of knee replacement patients were considered overweight or obese, as were 72 percent of hip replacement patients. After adjusting for patient age and gender, obese patients were three times as likely to have knee or hip replacement as compared to people with acceptable weights. Overweight patients were twice as likely to have joint replacement surgery.
Health Effects of Obesity
Persons with obesity are at increased risk of developing serious medical conditions, which can cause poor health and premature death.
Obesity is associated with more than 30 medical conditions, and scientific evidence has established a strong relationship with at least 15 of those conditions.
Weight loss of about 10% of body weight, for persons with overweight or obesity, can improve some obesity-related medical conditions including diabetes and hypertension.
Children watching TV are usually overweight
How much TV children watch accurately predicts whether they will go on to become overweight, a study suggests. It has previously been shown television is linked to weight gain as children are less active and eat while watching.
Researchers at New Zealand's University of Otago looked at how much TV children aged five to 15 watched. The International Journal of Obesity study found the 41% who were overweight or obese by the age of 26 were those who had watched most TV.
A study by the same team published last year suggested children should watch no more than two hours of TV a day to protect their future health. A BMI of 25 or over is considered overweight, and one of over 30 obese.
Australia in Grip of Diabetes Epidemic
Researchers say Australia is suffering from a diabetes epidemic, with 100,000 new cases every year.
A new study has also found the illness is caused by lifestyle factors like obesity and poor diet, and is costing taxpayers $3 billion every year.
The Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle Study tested and interviewed 11,000 people five years ago to provide a snapshot of the nation's health.
Australia Now the World’s Fattest Nation
Australia has become the fattest nation in the world, with more than 9 million adults now rated as obese or overweight, according to an alarming new report.
A definitive picture of the national obesity crisis to date has found that Australians now outweigh Americans and face a future "fat bomb" that could cause 123,000 premature deaths over the next two decades.
$330,000 Buys Maccas the Tick of Approval
McDonald’s – long known for its greasy food and high-cholesterol options – can now claim that they have the ‘tick of approval from the Heart Foundation.
So how can the Heart Foundation say that the ‘tick’ can’t be bought, when McDonalds have just bought it?
Diabetes – The New Health Epidemic
Type 2 diabetes has become a worldwide health problem.
It’s estimated that one person develops diabetes in Australia every 10 minutes.
This is a staggering figure, especially when a large number of type-2 diabetes cases can be prevented by exercise and a healthy diet.
While genetics and lifestyle play a part in determining a person’s weight, the fact remains that too many of us eat badly.
Read on to find out if you are in danger of developing this debilitating condition.
Are Your Intestinal Bacteria Making You Fat?
Have you tried everything you can think of to beat obesity, insulin resistance or diabetes without success?
Recent research has brought light to an unexplored cause of obesity-related health disorders; gut health and bacterial balance.
With so many beneficial effects on digestive and immune health, could probiotics be the answer to regulating the processes involved in these health conditions too?
Read on to find out how these good 'gut bugs' can improve your metabolic function and help you on your way to better health.
