Obesity time-bomb

We read and get told about the obesity time bomb but what exactly is obesity? Obesity is when one has more body fat for their height and gender.

Body Mass Index (BMI = weight in kilograms divided by their height in metres squared) usually used to see if you are obese (ideal 19-25). If it's over 30, your are considered obese. You can see your pharmacist to check your BMI.

So why has obesity become the hot topic? It's a big problem with 2 out of 3 adults in the UK obese. We have learned that not only does it cause immediate symptoms but also very serious long-term problems.

Immediate symptoms include breathlessness, sweating, snoring, difficulty sleeping, not being able to do sudden physical activity, feeling very tired all the time, back and joint pains. Mentally you feel low or worthless, poor self-image, low confidence levels and feeling isolated in society.

Obesity can greatly increase the risk of having, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, high cholesterol levels (leading to fatty deposits blocking up your arteries), breast cancer and polycystic ovaries in women, gall bladder disease, acid indigestion including acid in the gullet and stomach ulcers, arthritis of the back and joints, diabetes and difficult to control diabetes. Obesity leads to a poor quality of life and an early death.

Obesity creeps up and we become overweight simply by eating more than we use. Imagine the body being like a car.

The food we eat is the petrol and the more we use our bodies (physical activity or exercise) is the use of the car. If you keep putting petrol in the car without using it, the heavier it will get. If we use the car and not put as much petrol, the car will get lighter.

The secret is to use the same amount of petrol as the car uses to maintain the same weight. If you want to lose weight just reduce the amount of fuel for the body and increase your activity.

The main source of fuel for our body is glucose. This comes from carbohydrates (found in foods sugar, flour, rice, pasta, bread, fruit and vegetables). Any unused glucose is converted to fat and this increases our weight.

In the western world we tend to get most of the fuel we need from the carbohydrates and any fats, (oil, butter, ghee, margarine and fat from meat) and when eaten in excess is also stored. Protein (meat, chicken, fish) is used for muscle growth and is generally not stored in the body.

The amount food we should eat depends on our activity but for active men it is generally around 2000-2500 calories and 1500-2000 for active women. (1 gram of carbohydrate or protein = 4 calories and 1 gram of fat = 9 calories). Unhealthy foods (fast foods, white bread, fatty or sugary snacks) have higher amounts of calories in a smaller amount and release the glucose quickly (High GI index) into the blood.

The body will use what it can then store the rest. You feel hungry again quicker and want to eat again.

Healthy foods (fruit, vegetables, lean chicken and healthy snacks) have less calories and release glucose slower (low GI index) into the blood. You feel fuller and also want to eat less during the day.

By doing exercise (any activity that gets you panting for breath) you burn more calories and feel energetic even though you reduce the amount you eat. Essentially this is calorie counting and the best way to lose and maintain weight. You can get free advise from your doctor, pharmacist or dietician regarding this.

Slimming classes such as slimming world and weight watchers use this method.

There are two drugs currently proven to reduce weight but should be used with calorie counting. Orlistat (Xenical) stops fat being absorbed from the gut, sibutramine (Redcutil) tells the brain that you are not feeling hungry so reducing the amount you eat.

These are only available on prescription; any other diet pills have no significant evidence that they work or have serious side effects. Doctors can also recommend surgery (gastric banding); this is usually a final option.

A special diet that requires commitment and a strict regime has proven to reduce weight rapidly. The lipotrim diet, only available at selected pharmacies, tricks the body in using fat for fuel. Some patients have lost 3 stones in three weeks!

To prevent obesity, you need to eat in moderation, have a balanced diet and take plenty of exercise.

If you would like any further advice pop into the Whalley Range Pharmacy or call 01254 54988

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