© Specialist Supplements Ltd 2011  0845 094 3627 Slim, Trim and Healthy Slim, Trim and Healthy This is an information site only! Why obesity is a threat to your health What exactly is obesity? Obesity is a clinical term which refers to an excessively high amount of fat in the body, which (if not addressed) will be detrimental to health. Obesity is now widely accepted to be a chronic illness. Virtually all obese individuals are immensely overweight, although (in rare cases) obesity can arise in people who are not overweight, but have more body fat than muscle. How do I know if I am obese? Skin fold measurements and bio-electrical impedance are common techniques to test for obesity, but it is most often diagnosed by reference to a person’s body mass index (BMI) - an individual's weight in kilograms is divided by the square of their height in meters (kg/m2). Whilst BMI is a helpful measurement, it is worth noting that it is also a rather crude calculation in that it doesn’t take into account individual traits. For example, the measurement is the same for both males and females and for all ages of adults. Consequently, at best it is a rough guide for the individual in question. Statistics Within the UK, it is estimated that 61% of adults and 31% of children have weight problems. Based on figures from 2009, 22% of males and 24% of women in England were classified as obese. More recent research indicates that by 2012 one in three people in the UK will be obese. Obesity rates within the United States of America have grown dramatically since 1990, determined by the Center for Disease Control. Worryingly, 33 states record an obesity prevalence rate that is higher than 25%. Obesity has also gotten to epidemic proportions across the world, with more than 1 billion adults being overweight and approximately 300 million of them being clinically obese. This is a significant contributor to the global burden of chronic disease and disability. Experts believe that if the present patterns continue, by 2015 roughly 3 billion adults will be overweight and more than 700 million will be obese. What triggers obesity? Obesity can have many possible triggers, including those with social and psychological dimensions. Having said that, it is possible to identify 3 main and recurring factors: • poor diet • lack of exercise • psychological difficulties / anxiety. In some cases, there are medical reasons for obesity (such as the rare genetic condition Prader-Willi syndrome, which involves difficulties controlliing appetite), but the incidents where an underlying disease is the reason for obesity are few and far between. Of course, there can be any number of causes (such as metabolism, environment, family history, genetics, other health issues, prescription drugs etc), but the three factors mentioned above are typically fundamental or contributory causes. What are some of the health hazards of obesity? Widely accepted as a chronic affliction since 1985, obesity is the second leading cause of preventable death, exceeded only by cigarette smoking. It has also been confirmed as a major risk factor for: • elevated blood pressure • cardiovascular disease • stroke • diabetes • some cancers in both males and women. People who carry a high level of excess fat, particularly in the waist area, are at a much higher risk of developing these and a range of other serious health troubles. Quite often as a direct result of many years of bad diet, they are also far more likely to develop digestive system problems. Obesity in children Sadly, obesity is a growing epidemic amongst children. In the majority of cases, children (especially very young children) will have little or no control over what they eat and how much they exercise. Mothers and fathers, serving as role models, will usually drive this and will have a key role in shaping their kids' eating habits and activity patterns early in life. It is therefore vitally important for parents to take assertive action to adopt sensible dietary habits and to help their children to make healthy choices in a world of readily available “junk food” and high fat / sugar drinks and snack foods, which are frequently low cost. Childhood obesity is already at epidemic proportions in some locations and on the rise in others. 22 million children under 5 are estimated to be overweight across the world. Obesity is believed to impact one-third of young children in the US and Europe, while Asian-Pacific children are reportedly becoming larger as the region becomes more affluent. Many studies have highlighted that childhood obesity is of growing concern to both parents and governments in the United Kingdom and overseas. Considering the statistics, it's easy to understand why. How can obesity be avoided? You won’t be surprised to hear that obesity is not an easy problem to reverse. At an individual level, it needs courage, determination, will-power, dedication, a desire to learn and change and a proactive and optimistic attitude. The understanding and support of those around you (friends and family) is also very helpful. Often, experts such as nutritionists, dieticians and personal trainers can be of help in the beginning, but if you would rather not (or cannot afford) to spend money on expert advice, we provide a free sample meal plan for guidance. You can also consider taking the following general steps: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. These basic actions can allow you to to manage your weight sensibly and effectively for the long-term. Moderation and variety are the secrets of success!  * Before changing your diet or taking health supplements, it is recommended to consult your doctor or qualified health practitioner (particularly if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or on medications).   BMI Status Health risk Less than 18.5  Underweight      Some health risk 18.5 to 24.9        Ideal    Normal 25 to 29.9   Overweight     Moderate health risk 30 to 39.9       Obese       High health risk 40 and over    Very obese     Very high health risk Make sure that you are eating a balanced diet. Even when you are attempting to lose weight, it is important to make sure that you are still getting a broad spectrum of nutrients (especially during times of restricted food choice). Nutrients-fortified meal replacements, protein shakes, health foods and weight management support supplements can be a great way to achieve this, without loading up on calories. Put into practice a reasonable exercise regime, which takes account of your own personal capabilities, health conditions and circumstances, liaising with your doctor as required. Educate yourself - absorb as much reliable health information as you can on obesity, food and surrounding topics Knowledge is power! For instance, learn more about your metabolism - it is unique to you and could be key to achieving your weight loss goals. Your metabolism dictates how efficiently the calories you take in are made use of. Each and every individual has their own daily caloric requirements, called the Basal Metabolic Rate.  Drink plenty of pure (filtered) water. It goes without saying that water is an important nutrient for health and well-being and to maintain life, but as part of a wider approach to weight loss it can help by making you feel fuller for longer and keeping you hydrated (which helps to strengthen bodily functions). Water also has an important part to play in distributing imperative nutrients throughout the body, controlling body temperature, getting rid of harmful toxins and increasing blood flow to the skin. The thermogenic effect of drinking chilled water can also help. Detox your liver. The liver directly affects your bodyfat levels and hence your weight. Its function is to convert stored fat into energy and this metabolism of fat is directly affected by the amount of water you drink (see above). The liver also acts as a back-up for the kidneys, which demand plenty of water to perform properly. This means that when the kidneys are not functioning properly, the liver is forced to step in to help, which takes it away from its main function of metabolising the stored fat. 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