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Obesity is defined as having an excessive amount of body
fat. Obesity is more than just a cosmetic concern, though. It
increases your risk of diseases and health problems such as
diabetes and high blood pressure.
Doctors often use a formula based on your height and weight —
called the body mass index (BMI) — to determine if you are
obese. Adults with a BMI of 30 or higher are considered obese.
Extreme obesity, also called severe obesity or morbid obesity,
occurs when you have a BMI of 40 or more. With morbid obesity,
you are likely to have serious health problems.
betes and high blood pressure. |
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BMI
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Weight status
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Below 18.5
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Underweight
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18.5 — 24.9
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Normal
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25.0 — 29.9
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Overweight
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30.0 and higher
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Obese
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Today, obesity is becoming an increasing health problem
globally. A recent study shows that over 60% of Emirati
Nationals are overweight. UAE is currently considered to have
one of the highest rates of Obesity in the world, higher than
the US. The good news is that even modest weight loss can
improve or prevent the health problems associated with obesity. |
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8 Habits of
HEALTHY TEENS |
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- Spend at least 1 hour a day being physically active.
- Limit use of TV and video games to no more than 1 hour a
day. Don’t eat while watching TV.
- Eat smaller amounts. Bigger is not always better.
- Drink water instead of soda.
- Eat a total of 5 to 9 servings of fruits and vegetables
a day.
- Eat less fast food (no more than once a week).
- Snack on healthy foods and eat less junk foods and
sweets.
- Switch to low-fat (1% or less) dairy products.
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How HEALTHY am
I?
Check your BMI now! Compute it
using the given BMI formula or approach the dietitian for
assistance. BMI = Weight (Kilograms)\Height (Meters)2 |
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Take STEPS to a
HEALTHIER YOU! |
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- Eat a balance diet.
- Be physically active.
- Maintain your healthy weight.
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Healthy Weight is a BALANCING act
between the calories you eat and drink and the calories you
burn. |
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OVERWEIGHT |
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- Too Much food
- Too many calories
- Little or no exercise
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HEALTHY WEIGHT |
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- Healthy Eating Habits
- At least one hour of physical activity a day.
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UNDERWEIGHT |
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- Too little food
- Too few calories Excessive exercise
- Keep in Mind Eat Healthy To Stay Healthy "You are what
you eat"
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Easy steps to
healthy eating: |
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- Use a smaller plate, about 9 inches in diameter.
- Fill half (1/2) of your plate with vegetables (like
broccoli, carrots, cucumber, salad, tomatoes, or
cauliflower).
- About 1/4 of your plate should be protein like meat,
fish, chicken, tofu or beans.
- For the last 1/4 of your plate, fill it with grains or
starchy foods (carbohydrates) such as rice, pasta, potatoes,
or bread.
- Have a piece of fruit as a dessert.
- Get active your way.
- Build physical activity into your daily life, at home,
at school, at work, at play or the way.
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10 WEIGHT LOSS
TIPS |
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1- Take your time:
* Aim to lose only 1/2 to 1 kg per week. People who lose
weight faster are more likely to gain it back.
* Don’t be tempted by “fad” diets and drugs. They don’t work
for long, and some are dangerous.
2-Pay attention to what you eat and
drink:
* Keep a daily food diary for a while. Most people eat out of
habit and are unaware of how much they consume.
* Don’t eat in front of the TV. Get a real plate and sit down
at the table.
* Eat slowly. It takes about 20 minutes to start feeling
full. People who eat too fast often eat too much.
3- Watch you empty calorie
beverages:
* One regular can of soda, or one sugary drink has about 150
calories (no nutritional value).
* One less sugar-sweetened drink a day = a 7 kg weight loss
in a year.
* Drink water, unsweetened tea , or low fat milk instead of
regular soda and other sugar sweetened beverages.
4- Prepare meals at home:
*It’s easier to know and control what you eat when you
prepare your food. * Home cooked meals are usually healthier
and less expensive than eating out.
* Read nutrition facts labels when you shop.
5- Choose carefully when eating
out:
* To lose weight, eat out less.
* Some dishes and large fast food meals have more than 1,500
Calories - almost enough for a whole day!
6- Eat more fruits and vegetables:
* Aim for 5 to 9 servings a day. They help keep you healthy
and fill you up on very few Calories.
7- Feel FULL on fewer Calories:
* Make smarter choices. You could have 8 to 10 servings of
fruits and vegetables for every 1 whopper / big mac. (800
Calories)
* Choose high fiber foods that fill you up: fruits,
vegetables, beans, lentils, and whole grain cereals, breads and
pasta.
* Have a broth-based soup or green salad at the start of a
meal.
* Drink plenty of water - at least 8 glasses a day.
8- Choose healthier snacks:
* Snack on fruits and vegetables instead of candy, cookies
and chips.
* Try low fat popcorn or low fat frozen yogurt.
9- Don’t skip Breakfast:
* People who eat breakfast lose weight easier.
* Skipping meals makes you hungrier and more likely to
overeat on the next meal.
10- Get Moving:
* Physical activity improves mood and makes you healthier -
even if you don’t lose weight.
* Get at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity such
as brisk walking, at least 5 days a week.
* You don’t have to join a gym or buy a lot of expensive
equipment. Just walking burn calories, improves heart health and
strengthens muscles. |
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Symptoms of
Obesity |
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Symptoms associated with obesity
can include: |
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- Difficulty sleeping
- Snoring
- Sleep apnea
- Pain in your back or joints
- Excessive sweating
- Always feeling hot
- Rashes or infection in folds of your skin
- Feeling out of breath with minor exertion
- Daytime sleepiness or fatigue
- Depression.
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When to see a
doctor
If you have symptoms associated
with obesity such as the ones above, see your doctor or health
care provider. You and your doctor can discuss your weight-loss
options. Even modest weight loss can improve or prevent problems
related to obesity. Weight loss is usually possible through
dietary changes, increased physical activity and behavior
changes. In some cases, prescription medications or weight-loss
surgery may be options. |
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Causes |
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Although there are genetic and hormonal influences on body
weight, the bottom line is that obesity occurs when you take in
more calories than you burn through exercise and normal daily
activities. Your body stores these excess calories as fat.
Obesity usually results from a combination of causes and
contributing factors, including: |
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- Inactivity:
If you're not very active, you don't burn as many calories.
Unfortunately, today most adults spend most of their day
sitting, whether at home, at work or during leisure
activities. With a sedentary lifestyle, you can easily take
in more calories every day than you burn off through
exercise or normal daily activities. Watching too much
television is one of the biggest contributors to a sedentary
lifestyle and weight gain.
- Unhealthy diet and eating
habits: Having a diet that's high in
calories, eating fast food, skipping breakfast, eating most
of your calories at night, consuming high-calorie drinks and
eating oversized portions all contribute to weight gain.
- Pregnancy:
During pregnancy a woman's weight necessarily increases.
Some women find this weight difficult to lose after the baby
is born. This weight gain may contribute to the development
of obesity in women.
- Lack of sleep:
Getting less than seven hours of sleep a night can cause
changes in hormones that increase your appetite. You may
also crave foods high in calories and carbohydrates, which
can contribute to weight gain.
- Certain medications:
Some medications can lead to weight gain if you don't
compensate through diet or activity. These medications
include some antidepressants, anti-seizure medications,
diabetes medications, antipsychotic medications, steroids
and beta blockers.
- Medical problems:
Obesity can sometimes be traced to a medical cause, such as
Prader-Willi syndrome, Cushing's syndrome, polycystic ovary
syndrome, and other diseases and conditions. Some medical
problems, such as arthritis, can lead to decreased activity,
which may result in weight gain. A low metabolism is
unlikely to cause obesity, as is having low thyroid
function.
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Risk
factors
Factors that may increase your risk of obesity include: |
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- Genetics:
Your genes may affect the amount of body fat you store and
where that fat is distributed. Genetics also may play a role
in how efficiently your body converts food into energy and
how your body burns calories during exercise.
- Family history:
Obesity tends to run in families. That's not just because of
genetics. Family members tend to have similar eating,
lifestyle and activity habits. If one or both of your
parents are obese, your risk of being obese is increased.
- Age:
Obesity can occur at any age, even in young children. But as
you age, hormonal changes and a less active lifestyle
increase your risk of obesity. In addition, the amount of
muscle in your body tends to decrease with age. This lower
muscle mass leads to a decrease in metabolism. These changes
also reduce calorie needs and can make it harder to keep off
excess weight. If you don't decrease your caloric intake as
you age, you'll likely gain weight.
- Quitting smoking:
Quitting smoking is often associated with weight gain. And
for some, it can lead to a weight gain of as much as several
pounds a week for several months, which can sometimes lead
to obesity.
- Social and economic issues:
Certain social and economic issues may be linked to obesity.
You may lack access to safe areas to exercise, you may not
have been taught healthy ways of cooking, or you may not
have the financial means to buy fresh fruits and vegetables
or foods that aren't processed and packaged. In addition,
some studies show that your social networks influence your
weight — you're more likely to become obese if you have
obese friends or relatives.
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Complications
If you're obese, you're more likely to develop a number of
potentially serious health problems, including: |
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- Blood (fat) lipid abnormalities
- Cancer, including cancer of the uterus, cervix, ovaries,
breast, colon, rectum and prostate
- Depression
- Gallbladder disease
- Gynecological problems, such as infertility and
irregular periods
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Metabolic syndrome
- Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
- Osteoarthritis
- Skin problems, such as intertrigo and impaired wound
healing
- Sleep apnea
- Stroke
- Type 2 diabetes
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Quality of
life
When you're obese, your overall quality of life may be lower,
too. You may not be able to get around or to perform normal
daily activities as well as you'd like. You may have trouble
participating in family activities. You may avoid public places.
You may even encounter discrimination. |
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Other issues that may affect your
quality of life include:
Depression, Disability, Physical discomfort, Social isolation |
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Preparing
for your appointment
Talking to your doctor openly and honestly about your weight is
one of the best things you can do for your health. You're likely
to start by first seeing your primary care doctor. In some
cases, you may be referred to an obesity specialist, if one is
available in your area. You may also be referred to a mental
health provider, dietitian or nutrition specialist. |
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What you
can do
Being an active participant in your care can help your efforts
to overcome obesity. One way to do this is by preparing for your
appointment. Think about your needs and goals for treatment.
Also, write down a list of questions to ask. These questions may
include: |
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- Why can't I get over obesity on my own?
- What other health problems might I have?
- What are the treatment options for obesity and my other
health problems?
- Is weight-loss surgery an option for me?
- Will counseling help?
- Are there weight-loss medications that might help?
- How long will treatment take?
- What can I do to help myself?
- Are there any brochures or other printed material that I
can take home with me?
- What websites do you recommend visiting?
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In addition to your prepared questions,
don't hesitate to ask questions at any time during your
appointment. |
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What to
expect from your doctor
During your appointment, your doctor is likely to ask you a
number of questions about your eating, activity, mood and
thoughts, and any symptoms you might have. You may be asked such
questions as: |
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- What do you eat in a typical day
- How much activity do you get in a typical day?
- During what periods of your life did you gain weight?
- What are the factors that you believe affect your
weight?
- How is your daily life affected by your obesity?
- How is your mood affected by your weight?
- What diets or treatments have you tried to lose weight?
- What other medical conditions, if any, do you have?
- Do you have any family members with weight problems?
- What are your weight-loss goals?
- Are you ready to make changes in your lifestyle to lose
weight?
- What do you think might prevent you from losing weight?
- How committed are you to losing weight?
- What medications or over-the-counter herbs and
supplements do you take?
- What medications or over-the-counter herbs and
supplements do you take?
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What you
can do in the meantime
If you have several days or weeks before your scheduled
appointment, you can start making some changes on your own to
your eating and activity levels as you begin the journey to lose
weight. |
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- Start making healthy changes in your diet, such as
eating more fruits, vegetables and whole grains and reducing
portion sizes. Eat breakfast.
- Track how much you're eating or drinking each day so you
get a sense of how many calories you're consuming. It's easy
to underestimate how many calories you actually consume
every day.
- Begin increasing your activity level. If possible, take
some walks. Otherwise, simply try to get up and move around
your home more frequently. Start gradually if you aren't in
good shape or aren't used to exercising. If you have any
health conditions, or if you're a man over age 40 or a woman
over age 50, talk to your doctor before you start a new
exercise program.
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Tests and
diagnosis
If your doctor believes you are overweight or obese, he or she
will typically review your health history in detail, perform a
physical exam and recommend some tests. These can help confirm
the diagnosis, check to see what may be contributing to your
weight problem and also check for any related complications. |
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These exams and tests generally
include: |
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- Taking your healthy history. Your doctor reviews your
weight history, weight-loss efforts, exercise habits, eating
patterns, what other conditions you've had, medications,
stress levels and other issues about your health. Your
doctor also may review your family's health history to see
if you may be predisposed to certain conditions.
- Assessing other health problems. If you have known
health problems, your doctor will evaluate them. Your doctor
will also check for other possible health problems, such as
high blood pressure or binge eating disorder.
- Calculating your BMI. Your doctor will check your body
mass index (BMI) to determine your level of obesity. Your
BMI also helps determine what other health problems you may
face and what treatment may be appropriate.
- Measuring your waist circumference. Fat stored around
your waist, sometimes called visceral fat or abdominal fat,
may further increase your risk of diseases such as diabetes
and heart disease. Women with a waist measurement of more
than 35 inches and men with a waist measurement of more than
40 inches may have more health risks than people with
smaller waist measurements.
- A general physical exam. This includes measuring your
height, checking vital signs, such as heart rate, blood
pressure and temperature, listening to your heart and lungs,
and examining your abdomen.
- Laboratory tests. What tests you have depend on your
health and risk factors. They may include a complete blood
count (CBC), a check of cholesterol and other blood fats,
liver function tests, fasting glucose, a thyroid test, and
others depending on your health situation. Your doctor also
may recommend certain heart tests, such as an
electrocardiogram.
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Gathering all this information helps
you and your doctor determine how much weight you need to lose
and what health conditions or risks you have. And this will
shape what treatment options are right for you. |
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Treatments
and drugs
The goal of obesity treatment is to achieve and maintain a
healthier weight to reduce your risk of serious health problems
and enhance your quality of life. You may need to work with a
team of health professionals, including a nutritionist,
dietitian, therapist or an obesity specialist, to help you
understand and make changes in your eating and activity habits.
Together, you can determine a healthy goal weight and how to
achieve it. Your initial goal may be to lose 5 to 10 percent of
your body weight within six months. |
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You can start feeling better and seeing improvements in your
health with just minor weight loss, though — 5 to 15 percent of
your total weight. That means that if you weigh 200 pounds (91
kilograms) and are obese by BMI standards, you would need to
lose only about 10 to 30 pounds (4.5 to 13.6 kilograms) to start
seeing benefits. |
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Specific
treatment methods
There are many ways to treat obesity and reach a healthier
weight. The treatment methods that are right for you depend on
your level of obesity, your overall health, and your willingness
to participate in your weight-loss plan. Think of your treatment
plan as a way to make changes that you can stick with for a
lifetime, so that you keep the weight off. |
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Treatment methods include: |
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- Dietary changes
- Exercise and activity
- Behavior change
- Prescription weight-loss medications
- Weight-loss surgery
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Achieving a healthy weight is usually
done by making changes in your lifestyle — dietary changes,
increased activity and behavior change. Prescription medication
or weight-loss surgery is typically used in addition to
lifestyle changes in more serious cases. |
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Dietary changes
Reducing your daily calorie intake and eating healthier are
vital to overcoming obesity. Slow and steady weight loss of 1 or
2 pounds (1/2 to 1 kilogram) a week is considered the safest way
to lose weight and the best way to keep it off permanently.
Avoid drastic and unrealistic diet changes, such as crash diets,
because they're unlikely to help you keep excess weight off for
the long term. There are a number of different dietary
strategies to choose from, all of which can lower your calorie
intake. |
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Dietary ways to
overcome obesity include: |
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- Reducing your calorie intake: The key
to weight loss is reducing how many calories you consume.
You and your health care providers can review your typical
eating and drinking habits to see how many calories you
normally consume and where you can cut back. You may be
eating larger portions than you thought, or realize that
your diet includes lots of fast food, sweets or sugary
drinks. You and your doctor can decide how many calories you
need to take in each day to achieve weight loss, but a
typical amount is 1,000 to 1,600 calories.
- Feeling full on less: The concept of
energy density can help you satisfy your hunger with fewer
calories. All foods have a certain number of calories within
a given amount (volume). Some foods, such as desserts,
candies and processed foods, are high in energy density.
This means that a small volume of that food has a large
number of calories. In contrast, other foods, such as fruits
and vegetables, have low energy density. These foods provide
a larger portion size with a fewer number of calories. By
eating larger portions of foods less packed with calories,
you squelch hunger pangs, take in fewer calories and feel
better about your meal, which contributes to how satisfied
you feel overall.
- Following a very low calorie liquid diet if
medically recommended: These mainly liquid diets
are meant to provide rapid weight loss over the short term.
They provide only about 600 to 800 calories a day. Your
doctor may recommend a very low calorie diet if you need to
lose weight quickly before a medical procedure or if you
have serious health problems. Don't try it on your own. You
need close monitoring by your health care providers to avoid
complications. You also may need to take vitamin or
nutritional supplements. While you may be able to lose
weight quickly on a very low calorie diet, you're also
likely to regain it quickly once you stop the diet. To
prevent weight regain after a very low calorie diet, you
must make changes in your overall diet, activity level and
behavior.
- Meal replacements: These plans suggest
that you replace one or two meals with their products — such
as low-calorie shakes or meal bars — and eat healthy snacks
and a healthy, balanced third meal that's low in fat and
calories. In the short term, this type of diet can help you
lose weight, and they may be a good option if they help you
control portion size, limit calories and encourage healthy
eating. Keep in mind that these diets likely won't teach you
how to change your overall lifestyle, though. So while they
may work for some, you might find it hard to maintain your
weight loss over the long term.
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Be wary of
quick fixes
You may be tempted by fad diets that promise fast and easy
weight loss. The reality, however, is that there are no magic
foods or quick fixes. Special diets such as low-carbohydrate
diets may produce weight loss in the short term, but the
long-term results don't appear to be any better than other
diets. Similarly, you may lose weight on a crash diet, but
you're likely to regain it when you stop the diet. To lose
weight — and keep it off — you have to adopt healthy eating
habits that you can maintain over time. |
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Increased
activity
Increased physical activity or exercise is also an essential
part of obesity treatment. Most people who are able to maintain
their weight loss for more than a year get regular exercise,
even simply walking. The goal of activity and exercise for
weight loss is to burn more calories, although exercise offers
many other health benefits as well. How many calories you burn
depends on the frequency, duration and intensity of your
activity. |
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To boost your activity level: |
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- Exercise: One of the best ways to lose
body fat is through regular aerobic exercise, such as
walking, cycling, stair climbing or swimming. The American
College of Sports Medicine recommends that people who are
overweight or obese get at least 150 minutes a week of
moderate-intensity physical activity to prevent further
weight gain or to lose a modest amount of weight. But to
achieve significant weight loss, you may need to get as much
as 250 to 300 minutes of exercise a week, it says. You
probably will need to gradually increase the amount you
exercise as your endurance and fitness improve. To make your
own exercise goal more doable, break it up into several
sessions throughout the day, doing just five or six minutes
at a time. Don't set your goals unrealistically high, or you
may give up. Your doctor can help you create an exercise
plan that's appropriate for your specific situation and
abilities.
- Increase your daily activity: Even
though regular aerobic exercise is the most efficient way to
burn calories and shed excess weight, any extra movement
helps burn calories. Making simple changes throughout your
day can add up to big benefits. Park farther from store
entrances, rev up your household chores, garden, get up and
move around periodically, and wear a pedometer to track how
many steps you actually take over the course of a day.
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Behavior
changes
To lose weight and keep it off, you need to make changes in your
behavior and attitudes toward food and exercise. |
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A behavior modification program can help you make these
lifestyle changes. Behavior modification programs may include
examining your current habits to find out what factors or
situations may have contributed to your obesity. Exploring your
current eating and exercise habits gives you a place to start
when changing your behaviors. Once you understand which habits
are undermining your weight-loss efforts, you can take steps to
create a new, healthier lifestyle. |
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There are a number of ways to help you change unhealthy behavior
and thoughts. Behavior modification, sometimes called behavior
therapy, can include: |
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- Counseling: Therapy or interventions
with trained mental health or other professionals can help
you address emotional and behavioral issues related to
eating. Therapy can help you understand why you overeat and
learn healthy ways to cope with anxiety. You can also learn
how to monitor your diet and activity, understand eating
triggers and cope with food cravings. Counseling may be
available by telephone, e-mail or Internet-based programs if
travel is difficult. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a type
of therapy frequently used for weight loss. Therapy can take
place on both an individual and group basis.
- Support groups: You can find
camaraderie and understanding in support groups where others
share similar challenges with obesity.
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Weight-loss surgery
In some cases, weight-loss surgery, also called bariatric
surgery, is an option. Weight-loss surgery offers the best
chance of losing the most weight, but it can pose serious risks.
Weight-loss surgery limits the amount of food you're able to
comfortably eat or inhibits the absorption of food and calories,
or both. |
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Weight-loss surgery for obesity may be considered if: |
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- You have extreme obesity, with a body mass index (BMI)
of 40 or higher
- Your BMI is 35 to 39.9, and you also have a serious
weight-related health problem, such as diabetes or high
blood pressure
- You're committed to making the lifestyle changes that
are necessary for surgery to work
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Weight-loss surgery can often help you
lose as much as 50 percent of your excess body weight. Just over
half of those who undergo weight-loss surgery keep the weight
off at the 5-year mark. But weight-loss surgery isn't a miracle
obesity cure. It doesn't guarantee that you'll lose all of your
excess weight or that you'll keep it off long term. Weight-loss
success after gastric bypass surgery depends on your commitment
to making lifelong changes in your eating and exercise habits. |
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There are numerous types of weight-loss surgery. Some types are
restrictive, causing weight loss by restricting how much your
stomach can hold. Others are malabsorptive, because they prevent
your body from absorbing calories and nutrients. Others are a
combination of these two types. |
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More common weight-loss surgeries
include: |
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- Gastric bypass surgery: This is the
favored weight-loss surgery in the United States because it
has shown relatively good long-term results. It combines
both restriction and malabsorption to produce weight loss.
In gastric bypass (Roux-en-Y gastric bypass), the surgeon
creates a small pouch at the top of your stomach. The small
intestine is then cut a short distance below the main
stomach and connected to the new pouch. Food and liquid flow
directly from the pouch into this part of the intestine,
bypassing most of your stomach.
- Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB):
In this restrictive-type procedure, your stomach is
separated into two pouches with an inflatable band. Pulling
the band tight like a belt, the surgeon creates a tiny
channel between the two pouches. The band keeps the opening
from expanding and is generally designed to stay in place
permanently. LAGB is gaining popularity because it generally
causes slow, steady weight loss and the band can be adjusted
if needed. However, as with other procedures, this won't
work without changes in your behavior.
- Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch:
In this malabsorption-type procedure, most of your stomach
is surgically removed. This weight-loss surgery offers
sustained weight loss, but it poses a greater risk of
malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies, and you require close
monitoring for health problems. It's generally used for
people who have a body mass index of 50 or more.
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Preventing
weight regain after obesity treatment
Unfortunately, it's common to regain weight no matter what
obesity treatment methods you try. But that doesn't mean your
weight loss efforts are futile.
One of the best ways to prevent regaining the weight you've lost
is getting regular physical activity. Keep track of your
physical activity if it helps you stay motivated and on course.
As you lose weight and gain better health, talk to your doctor
about what additional activities you might be able to do and, if
appropriate, how to give your activity and exercise a boost.
You may always have to remain vigilant about your weight.
Combining a healthier diet and more activity is the best way to
lose weight and keep it off for the long term. If you take
weight-loss medications, you'll probably regain weight when you
stop taking them. You might even regain weight after weight-loss
surgery if you continue to overeat or eat foods laden with fat
and calories.
Take your weight loss and weight maintenance one day at a time
and surround yourself with supportive resources to help ensure
your success. Find a healthier way of living that you can stick
with for the long term. |
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Prevention
Whether you're at risk of becoming obese, currently overweight
or at a healthy weight, you can take steps to prevent unhealthy
weight gain and related health problems. Not surprisingly, the
steps to prevent weight gain are the same as the steps to lose
weight: daily exercise, a healthy diet, a long-term commitment
to watch what you eat and drink. |
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- Exercise regularly: One of the most
important things you can do to prevent weight gain is to
exercise regularly. According to the American College of
Sports Medicine, you need to get 150 to 250 minutes of
moderate-intensity activity per week to prevent weight gain.
Moderately intense physical activities include fast walking
and swimming.
- Eat healthy meals and snacks: Focus on
low-calorie, nutrient-dense foods, such as fruits,
vegetables and whole grains. Avoid saturated fat and limit
sweets and alcohol. Remember that no one food offers all the
nutrients you need. Choose a variety of foods throughout the
day. You can still enjoy small amounts of high-fat,
high-calorie foods as an infrequent treat. Just be sure to
choose foods that promote a healthy weight and good health
more often than you choose foods that don't.
- Know and avoid the food traps that cause you to
eat: Identify situations that trigger
out-of-control eating. Try keeping a journal and write down
what you eat, how much you eat, when you eat, how you're
feeling and how hungry you are. After a while, you should
see patterns emerge. You can plan ahead and develop
strategies for handling these types of situations and stay
in control of your eating behaviors.
- Monitor your weight regularly: People
who weigh themselves at least once a week are more
successful in keeping off excess pounds. Monitoring your
weight can tell you whether your efforts are working and can
help you detect small weight gains before they become big
problems.
- Be consistent: Sticking to your
healthy-weight plan during the week, on the weekends, and
amidst vacation and holidays as much as possible increases
your chances of long-term success.
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If you really want to prevent weight
gain, the best approach is to focus on an active lifestyle that
includes an eating plan that's enjoyable, yet healthy and low in
calories. |
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For your consultation, please
visit the Obesity Center at Al Noor Hospital- Airport Road and
Khalifa Street, Abu Dhabi. |
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Highlights of
the Obesity Center (Laparoscopic Bariatric Surgery) include: |
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- Gastric Band (Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band)
- Sleeve Gastrectomy
- Gastric Bypass
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Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery
(SILS), through ONLY ONE “virtually-invisible" opening. |
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