You Are the Solution to Childhood Obesity

Hats off to First Lady Michelle Obama for her plans to take up the battle against childhood obesity in 2010. Now that she is involved, it is possible the problem will finally get the attention it deserves. She knows the statistics, and that is why she is alarmed. There are 3 times more obese kids now than 30 years ago; for the first time in American history, the life expectancy of America’s current childhood generation is predicted to be less than that of their parents , because of obesity-related diseases ; and up to half of children currently 10 years old are expected to develop type 2 diabetes due to overweight and obesity. In the next 10 years it is anticipated that nearly 50 percent of America will be clinically obese, not just overweight.

Mrs. Obama will likely seek ways to change a culture that started the tidal wave of overweight and obesity that is sweeping away our children. That would be wise, because any real solution to the problem will require changes in numerous societal habits that are detrimental to America’s waistline. The struggle for change won’t be easy.

It’s simple to stand by and wait for others to lead the way, but the solution can begin with you. When you are trying to decide where to dine out, choose a place where you can get foods that fill you up but don’t fill you out – fiber foods. Find out how your city’s schools manage their hot lunch program, and insist that healthy foods are served daily. Make sure your kids eat fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans every day, and help them out by keeping these foods readily available at home. These are just a few examples of easy things you can do to start making a difference.

Become involved. Get assertive. Be a good example for your children and grandchildren. Their well-being and lives are at stake.

The author submits this blog posting as a health educator and not in any other capacity. You should seek the advice of your physician regarding a personal health condition or before undertaking any diet, exercise, or other health program.

Follow the First Lady's Lead

First Lady Michelle Obama was very candid in a speech she recently delivered to the U.S. Conference of Mayors. Speaking of the obesity crisis confronting the youth of America, she used her personal family experience in making her points. As a busy working mother, she admitted she too often turned to pizza or drive-thru fast food when feeding her young children. A nudge from her daughters’ pediatrician made her start re-thinking such habits, and the effect they were having on her family’s health. Now the First Lady feeds her family in part from produce grown in her White House vegetable garden. She correctly realized the real solution to the problem was dependent upon changes that she herself had to start making.

Overweight children did not create the epidemic that affects them, nor can they be expected to solve it. After all, kids can’t control their environment at home, school, or elsewhere. Telling them to make better choices when they are surrounded by nothing but poor options is pointless. Their condition is really only a by-product of adult actions that have had a trickle-down effect upon them. Adults must take responsibility and change their own behavior before we can expect our youth to change theirs. It is apparent from her actions that Mrs. Obama must agree.

There will need to be changes made in numerous arenas if America is to truly win a war against childhood obesity.  Food manufacturers, advertisers, school administrators, teachers, health care providers, parents, and others will all need to join forces.  But too often it is overlooked that small changes can lead to big results. As a first step, just follow the example of our First Lady.  Serve children more fiber foods at every meal, and avoid most anything that can be delivered through a car window.  America’s children will soon be slimmer and healthier as a result.  

The author submits this blog posting as a health educator and not in any other capacity. You should seek the advice of your physician regarding a personal health condition or before undertaking any diet, exercise, or other health program.

When is a Diet Not a Diet?

Have you tried diets in the past? If so, were you able to lose weight? If you did lose weight, how long were you able to keep it off? Have you gained the pounds back, possibly even more than you lost?

Answers to these questions lead most people to the same conclusion: diets don’t work! There are many reasons for this. Small portions. Pre-made, special foods to buy. The need for pills, potions, or powders. Elimination of essential nutrients, such as carbohydrates, which the body will eventually crave. Forbidden foods. Repetitious and boring meals. Complicated regimens. Need to count calories. Requires a program membership. Can’t be continued forever, so you go back to your old ways. The list goes on. You know this. You’ve been there.

The Full Plate Diet doesn’t have any of these drawbacks. Portions are abundant; there are no special supplements or pre-made foods to buy; no programs to join; no forbidden foods, boring meals, calories to track, or anything complicated to remember; and , best of all, it is easily continued long term. It is a diet only in the sense that it will become the way you eat for the rest of your life.

So when is a diet not a diet? When it’s The Full Plate Diet. Check it out. Go to http://www.fullplatediet.org/ for more information and great resources, or get a copy of the book today at any major bookseller. Make it the last “diet” you ever do.

The author submits this blog posting as a health educator and not in any other capacity. You should seek the advice of your physician regarding a personal health condition or before undertaking any diet, exercise, or other health program.

Can You Be Overweight and Healthy?

In 2005, Time Magazine attempted to answer that question, and the conclusion was “Yes, you can.” This was based on the observation that many who are overweight or obese have normal blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar values – therefore their health did not appear to be in jeopardy. For sure, there is much debate, even among experts, over this issue. But the overwhelming majority of medical research indicates that being above your ideal body weight is bad for your health.

A study published by Circulation on-line, December 28, 2009, concluded that overweight individuals with no abnormalities of blood pressure, cholesterol, or blood sugar (all indicators of “being healthy”), have a 50 percent increased risk of developing heart disease compared to those of normal weight. For those who are obese with numbers otherwise normally associated with good health, the risk is increased by 95 percent.

Beyond being bad for your heart, overweight also increases your risk of cancer, the second leading cause of American deaths. That’s right – cancer. The American Institute for Cancer Research estimates that over 100,000 cancers of various types are caused each year by overweight and obesity. And half of Americans don’t know this relationship exists.

Added to these disorders is an up to 40 times increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes if you are overweight or obese. Type 2 diabetes is the number one cause of kidney failure, blindness, and non-traumatic lower limb amputations in America.

It really doesn’t matter if your motivation to get slimmer is so you can look good in your bathing suit this summer, or if you want to avoid a heart attack, cancer, or type 2 diabetes. Regardless of why you lose, you will still gain better health. What’s the easiest, and also healthiest, way to lose those pounds? Eat more fiber foods, drink more water, and stop eating when you’re no longer hungry.

So, can you be overweight and healthy? Possibly, but I wouldn’t want you to bet on it – certainly not with your life.

The author submits this blog posting as a health educator and not in any other capacity. You should seek the advice of your physician regarding a personal health condition or before undertaking any diet, exercise, or other health program.

The Art of Eating

Are you already losing weight on The Full Plate Diet? Are you worried you will gain the pounds back? Here are some practical tips that will help turn your diet into a way of living. Start with the first tip and add a new one each day – at the end of a week you’ll be looking like a slim person and eating like one too.

• Think differently about hunger. Consider the feeling of mild hunger as a desirable condition (rather than an emergency). This is when your body is burning fat and you are accomplishing your goal!
• Fill your plate with half the food you think you may need. If you are really still hungry after eating your first plate, wait 10 minutes to give your body time to begin digestion and let your brain know you are full before getting seconds.
• Chew slowly and stop eating when the hungry feeling stops. The time to stop is well before you feel “full” or “stuffed.” The goal of eating isn’t to feel miserable afterwards.  Take time to savor your dining experience. 
• Try not to eat like it is your last meal. Even if you don’t know when you will eat again, overeating at a meal means your body will store up fat.  
• Leave that “one last bite” on your plate. It is better to let the food go to waste outside your body rather than stored on the inside. Any food eaten beyond what you body needs will become fat.
• Focus on eating. Multi-tasking leads to overeating. Try not to eat while driving, reading, talking on the phone, working, watching TV or while at the movies. You’ll not only enjoy your food more, but you will eat less of it.
• Don’t eat within 4 hours of bedtime. Food gives us the energy we need to be active during the day. You don’t need energy intake right before you go to sleep. If you take in energy that you don’t need or use, it will be stored as fat.

The author submits this blog posting as a health educator and not in any other capacity. You should seek the advice of your physician regarding a personal health condition or before undertaking any diet, exercise, or other health program.