Home
>
Weight Loss
>
Obesity, Whats The Big Deal Part 4

Obesity, Whats The Big Deal Part 4

In this issue, I am going to focus more on some of the consequences of obesity, especially as it relates to children. Although this is focusing on children, think of how it relates to you. Also, if you have kids, what are you teaching your kids about health?

This growing problem is getting so prevalent; there are even articles which refer to the "obesogenic" environment of schools. What they are saying is that society has come to accept "fatness" in its populace and even in the kids. So much so in fact, that they have stopped building gymnasiums in some schools. Add to this the horrendous quality of some cafeteria foods and/or the vending machines dispensing nothing of quality.

There are movements abreast around the world that are aiming to rid the schools of the pestilence of junk food dispensing machines. Hooray for that! I recently read in the Ecologist that some people are waging a war against a major soft drink company with their own form of embargo. This company is not the only company that should be having an economic war waged against it. In general, we need to move away from the highly processed foods and move towards whole food consumption.

As has been mentioned in earlier articles, obesity contributes to a variety of conditions such as heart problems, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, and more. One of these problems, high blood pressure (HBP), is now becoming a growing problem in children. HBP has also been associated with an increased risk of dementia. Studies have demonstrated that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables as well as possibly dairy may be able to help with childhood HBP levels.

Overweight among young people has increased dramatically. Between 1980 and 1994, children and adolescents considered to be overweight increased by 100% in the United States. About 15% of 6 - 19 -year-olds are currently overweight and there are even greater rates of overweight among minorities or those who are economically disadvantaged. Overweight youth are more likely to be overweight as adults, and are more likely to have medical risks associated with cardiovascular disease than other children and adolescents.

Consequences of Overweight in Children and Adolescents

Health consequences related to overweight can begin in childhood or adolescence; overweight children and adolescents are at increased risk for various chronic diseases in later life.

The psychosocial consequences of overweight are also significant. This problem has been linked to social discrimination, a negative self-image in adolescence that often persists into adulthood, parental neglect, and behavioral and learning problems.

Common Medical Consequences of Overweight

? Hyperlipidemia: A group of disorders characterized by increased bad fats and decreased good fats in the blood.

? Glucose intolerance: A precursor of diabetes.

? Hepatic steatosis: The fatty degeneration of the liver. High concentrations of liver enzymes are associated with this and have been found in overweight youths. Weight reduction will help to normalize hepatic enzymes. Hyperinsulinemia also may play a role in hepatic steatosis.

? Cholelithiasis: The presence of stones in the gallbladder.

? Early maturation: Characterized by adolescents with a skeletal age more than 3 months in advance of chronological age, and is associated with increased fatness in adulthood

Less Common Medical Consequences of Overweight in Children

? Hypertension: Persistently elevated blood pressure occurs with low frequency in children. However, elevated blood pressure occurs approximately 9 times more frequently among children who are overweight compared to other children.

Acute Complications of Overweight

Acute complications of overweight are those that require immediate medical attention. Patients should be referred to a center that specializes in pediatric overweight where possible.

? Sleep apnea is the cessation of breathing lasting at least 10 seconds during sleep, characterized by loud snoring and labored breathing.

? Pseudotumor cerebri is characterized by increased pressure in the skull that causes headaches. It is a rare disorder.

? Obesity hypoventilation syndrome, also known as Pickwickian syndrome, may be a cause of sleep apnea, but this relationship remains unclear. Aggressive therapy is warranted for children with obesity hypoventilation syndrome.

? A variety of orthopaedic complications affecting the feet, legs, and hips can occur.

Management of Overweight in Children and Adolescents

Strategies used in a management plan for overweight are based on information obtained from the assessment. Weight loss is recommended only if complications such as hyperlipidemia or hypertension are identified or for children 7 years or older with a BMI-for-age at or above the 95th percentile. Otherwise, weight maintenance is recommended.

Individualized recommendations.

Each family has its own set of supports and stresses. Because success with weight management can be difficult to achieve, recommendations for change must consider the family's readiness for change, family support, financial concerns, and neighborhood characteristics (including access to play areas and grocery stores). Unless the situation is understood fully, recommendations for change may not be targeted appropriately.

Treatment should begin early, involve the family, and institute permanent changes in a stepwise manner. Parenting skills are the foundation for successful intervention, which includes a gradual targeted increase in physical activity and targeted reductions in high-fat and high-calorie foods.

So in the end, we need to focus not only on ourselves but the environments that are promoting this epidemic. As a colleague mentioned to me, to truly heal, the whole community must be involved. If we all sit back and wait for someone else to do something, nothing will ever be done.

Yours in Health,

Dr. Marshal Montgomery @ http://www.HealthyUnderstanding.com

References 1. The Bad News About Prevalence, the Good News About Treatments -- But Pay Attention to the Details, Linda Brookes, MSc ,Medscape Cardiology. 2005; 9 (1): ?2005 Medscape. 2. Overweight Children and Adolescents: Recommendations for Screening, Assessment and Management, Authors: Barbara Polhamus, PhD, MPH, RD; Diane Thompson, MPH, RD; Sandra L. Benton-Davis, BS; Christopher M. Reinold, MPH, RD, LD; Comm. Laurence M. Grummer-Strawn, PhD; William Dietz, MD, PhD 3. Prevention of Overweight and Obesity: Focus on Children and Adolescents, Patricia Markham Risica, DrPH, RD 4. Obesity, Jonathan Q. Purnell, M.D. 5.American College of Physicians Issues Guidelines for Obesity Management CME News Author: Laurie Barclay, MD CME Author: Charles Vega, MD, FAAFP All were sourced from medscape.com

Disclaimer: As always, check with your health care provider to see if this information applies to you. Due diligence is your responsibility. This information is meant to supplement your knowledge, not to replace your own decision making process or take the place of your health care provider.

This is a commercial newsletter provided free by HealthyUnderstanding.com. For weight loss and other health care products go to http://www.road2health.net. For a quick BMI calculation go to http://www.road2health.net.

This newsletter may be distributed in its entirety without alteration. If you wish to use it in your publication, a copy of your publication would be appreciated. Please send it to DrM@healthyunderstanding.com

Dr. M. Montgomery is the creator of http://www.road2health.net and is a practicing Chiropractor in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan - 371 Kenderdine Rd, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 3S5.

Elk Grove (east OF 53) car service from Midway .. Lockport Chicago limo O’Hare

In The News:

Woven City is Toyota's experimental city that is a fully functional environment for people to live, work and play while doing research.

The line between spam and scams is thin. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson details his tips for identifying and avoiding phone scams, robocalls and unwanted solicitations.

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents

Kurt the CyberGuy takes you through the steps to easily set your preferred web browser whether you're using a Mac, Windows PC, iPhone or Android.

Google, Instagram, Facebook and weather apps can track your location and use that data to serve you ads; here's what you can do to protect your privacy.

A new debate has emerged about whether airlines should charge passengers based on their weight to help reduce fuel consumption and lower emissions.

Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says Hipshipper, which is used by eBay, Shopify and Amazon sellers, exposed millions of shipping labels.

Boxabl’s Baby Box is a 120-square-foot foldable home that can be set up in 60 minutes and has off-grid features. Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says it's designed to maximize functionality.

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

Major IoT data breach: Mars Hydro database with 2.7 billion records exposed. Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says the breach is a reminder of the risks that come with using IoT devices.

Unitree H1 robots dance at gala, blending AI and tradition. Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson examines the convergence of cutting-edge technology and traditional culture.

For the first time ever, SpaceX launched a rocket into space from Florida and landed the booster the Bahamas, allowing for future polar-orbit spaceflight missions.

Attackers use caller ID spoofing and AI voices to steal money. Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson provides seven ways to protect yourself.

Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson talks about the Genesis GV60 MIV, an electric rescue EV with snow tracks for extreme missions.

Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson helps you ensure a smooth online experience with a reliable, secure home network setup.

Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson talks about Vollebak’s Shielding Suit, which blocks EM radiation, infrared and tracking for privacy.

Even Apple products are vulnerable to cybercriminals, and a new report suggests the owners of Mac products will have to be more vigilant this year.

An inflatable six-person tiny house from a firm called 2001 looks like a space station with its inflatable dome that is transportable and eco-friendly.

Scams cost Americans an estimated $159 billion every year and average about $3,500 in losses per victim. The CyberGuy has advice to protect yourself.

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents

Zeekr and Waymo are joining forces for the world's first mass-produced autonomous vehicle, combining an electric vehicle with self-driving technology.

A humanoid robot training center has opened in Shanghai, a big step in China's efforts to become a global leader in robotics and artificial intelligence.

Security experts have discovered that hackers are targeting apps on the App Store to spread malware that steals information from saved screenshots.

A new luxury SUV combines military-inspired design and high-end luxury transportation and includes two military-grade gas masks to protect against chemical warfare.

80% of stalking victims are tracked using tech. GPS trackers, like AirTags, are among the most popular ways to do it. Here's how to protect yourself.

Obesity, Whats The Big Deal Part 4

Weight Loss