Obesity - Health Hotline - Brief Article

YOU'VE heard the saying, "bigger is better" But in the African-American community, where 80 percent of women are overweight, bigger is a dangerous and unhealthy condition that contributes to 14 percent of all deaths in the United States.

According to a recent study by the American Journal of Epidemiology, the correlation between obesity and chronic disease indicates that severely obese women are three times more likely to have diabetes, 2.5 times more likely to suffer from cardiopulmonary disease, 2.5 times more likely to have cancer, 2.5 times more likely to have heart disease, 2.5 more times likely to suffer from congestive heart failure and 1.5 times more likely than all females in the general population to have arthritis.

To determine if you are at risk, take a body mass index (BMI) test that measures body fat, not merely body weight. Healthy levels of BMI range from 18.5 to 24.9. You are considered overweight if your BMI is between 25 and 29.9, obese if your BMI exceeds 30.

For people who are overweight by 25 to 40 pounds, the new drugs Meridia and Xenical may be effective.

Although a number of diet approaches have been introduced--including the Atkins diet, the Hollywood diet, and varying forms of low-fat and low-carbohydrate approaches--the severely obese patient may consider surgical methods under the consultation of a qualified bariatric surgeon. Gastric bypass surgery, commonly known as stomach stapling, involves stapling the stomach walls together to reduce the volume of the stomach, resulting in a fuller feeling more quickly. Prior to seeking surgical services, discuss the options thoroughly with your doctor.

Continuing efforts to combat the dramatic rise in obesity include careful monitoring of caloric intake, daily exercise and a balanced diet high in fruits and vegetables and low in fat. Improving your health begins with improving your habits and taking steps to maintain a balanced lifestyle.

COPYRIGHT 2003 Johnson Publishing Co.
COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group