Obesity is getting more and more common. Today, about 26 per cent of Canadians are considered obese and 36 per cent overweight. And not only are more of us tipping the scales, but the number of extra pounds we’re carrying is growing too.
And there’s an extra worry as well. Children seem to be part of this trend too. In the last 25 years, the number of our children who are either overweight or obese has tripled.
Measurements such as body mass index and waist circumference are used to assess weight, but sometimes just getting on a bathroom scale is enough. Body mass index is weight divided by height squared, and the easiest way to do this is to use an online calculator.
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Carrying too many pounds or kilograms can adversely contribute to various health conditions, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis and sleep apnea. There also seems to be a link with being overweight and some types of cancer, especially of the breast and colon.
The reason why we’re packing on extra pounds seems due to a combination of factors. We lead more sedentary lifestyles. More of us have desk jobs, and more of us spend more time watching television! Our eating habits have also changed, with larger portion sizes and the consumption of more high-calorie, processed, convenience and fast foods.
So although food packaging today does list nutritional values, few people take time to read and use the information. Some research also points to genetic changes that have an impact on how the body handles food, although these changes may be the result of eating habits developed within a family.
Diet plans and medication are widely advertised, but the one sure way of loosing weight is to eat a low-fat, high-fibre diet and to increase your activity levels.
There is one medication (orlistat) that is available in Canada for weight loss. It works in the gastrointestinal tract to reduce the amount of fat absorbed by the body. The one drawback is that the fat remains in the gut and can lead to diarrhea, gas, leakage of oily stools and stomach discomfort — certainly not pleasant. And, a low-fat, high-fibre diet and increased activity level is recommended along with orlistat.
In the United States, there are other prescription medications indicated for weight loss. Two drugs are combination products, specifically phentermine with topiramate and naltrexone with bupropion, both of which reduce the feeling of being hungry.
Two drugs that are commonly used to treat diabetes are also used in different dosages to manage weight. Semaglutide and liraglutide mimic a hormone known as glucagon like peptide-1 or GLP-1 in order to regulate appetite and food intake. And, again, a low-fat, high-fibre diet along with increased activity is a recommended part of the therapy.
Unfortunately, regardless of the type of medication, the number of pounds lost may be minimal and the pounds may be gained back once the medication is stopped.
Losing weight isn’t easy, but even a five-pound loss can have positive health results. Watch portion sizes, say no to second helpings, bake or poach foods rather than fry them, and eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. And, try being active 20 to 30 minutes most days. It’s a great way to start managing your weight.
