Obesity

The First Lady Takes on Childhood Obesity

Washington (CNN) -- Michelle Obama is telling America that it's time to get moving. In a news conference set for noon Tuesday at the White House, the first lady will introduce a national effort to combat childhood obesity. Read the FULL story

Winter Weight Basics

Did you gain weight over the winter months? It is easy to gain weight during the winter months for various reasons.

Reasons we gain weight during Winter months include:

1. Increased Hunger
2. Decreased Activity
3. Over-indulgence in food

Temperatures start to fall, the days get shorter, and people put on weight. The reason is that when the weather gets colder, the blood vessels in the skin contract, and as the extremities cool, blood moves to the center of the body. There it stimulates internal organs like the digestive tract, and their activity increases. When the digestive tract grows more active, appetite increases, and when appetite increases, weight increases. This change is entirely natural.

Weather also plays a role in Winter weight gain. Studies show that most people are less likely to work out on cold, rainy days with little or no sun. People tend to be more sedentary during the Winter months parking closer to the door when its cold and raining as opposed to a warm, sunny day.

It's holiday season --Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas and Kwanzaa. People tend to eat more of the wrong things around holidays. Foods such as cakes, pies, candy, cookies are usually the food of choice over fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

It's sports season! It's always sports season somewhere -- football, Nascar, basketball and hockey to name a few. Avid sports fans would rather sit in front of the tv than go to the gym or work out at home. With the game comes beer, potato chips, buffalo wings, pizza, and soda.

How to Overcome Winter Weight Gain

1. Exercise outdoors: Outdoor exercise is a sure cure for the winter blues. And it increases energy, which can be sapped by gloomy weather. Exercise also bolsters your immune system — studies show that moderate exercisers get 20 to 30 percent fewer colds than non-exercisers do. And, you won't have to scramble to get in shape for swimsuit season. For safe winter outdoor exercising, make sure you (1) dress in layers; (2) keep your skin covered; (3) wear tennis with good transaction; (4) warm up your muscles; and (5) drink plenty of fluids.

2. Eat the right foods: Focus on foods that are better for your body. Skip the simple carbohydrates --junk food, candy, chips, soda, fast food, etc. Choose foods that are healthier for your body -- fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Fruits and vegetables in season in the winter include (partial list):

* Oranges

* Cranberries

* Bananas

* Grapefruits

* Red grapes

* Broccoli

* Snow peas

* Carrots

* Beets

* Winter Squash

* Potatoes

* Sweet Potatoes

* Yams

* Kale

* Brussels sprouts

* Collard Greens

* Cabbage

3. Move more: Participate in activities that require more movement. See a listing of indoor workout alternatives below.

a. Dancing - Dance to your favorite tunes for 15 to 30 minutes. Dancing is a great way to keep moving and have fun too.

b. Stair climbing - Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Every opportunity to burn fat counts.

c. Household Chores - Organize and declutter your closet or garage. You will feel much better afterward plus you might be able to help your local charity.

d. Yoga - Do some yoga and meditation for 15 to 30 minutes

e. Indoor swimming

f. Mall walking - when walking outside is not an option

You get the point. Although your body is naturally made to store more fat during the winter months, you can maintain your weight by burning more fat than you take in just be making good food choices and staying active.

Weight Gain & Depression

Over the last six months I have gained almost 20 pounds. The weight gain is due to poor diet & nutrition and inactivity. My focus has been on school and my business, which led to this crisis.

I notice that when I gain weight, I get depressed about weighing more and stop feeling good about my body image. I then sometimes turn to food for comfort in order to bury those feelings of insecurity and inadequacy.

Things That Contribute to Depression and Weight Gain

1. Stress
2. Poor Diet and Nutrition
3. Lack of Exercise

Cold weather also affects depression and weight gain. When it is too cold or raining to get outside for exercise, I usually forgo exercise for that day. I find myself parking closer to the door to avoid the cold weather resulting in me burning fewer calories.

4. Lack of Sunlight

In addition to lack of exercise, a lack of sunlight over an extended period of time can cause Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). When you experience SAD, you tend to sleep more, feel fatigued, crave carbs and have an increased appetite. These things also contribute to your expanding waistline.

 

Help for Depression and Weight Gain

• Exercise - I notice that when I work out I feel so much better about myself. I normally would have a regular workout routine but due to the weather change, my work out times change constantly.
• Nutrition - I'm doing better with my diet. My greatest challenge is junk food and carbs. I've been making small changes replacing one item at a time. Lately, I have really taken to celery and carrots. I've also been drinking Noni juice.
• Proper Sleep - I'm still working on this area. At one point, I was going to bed by 10 p.m. Lately, I've only been sleeping in short increments that feel more like naps.
• Relaxation Techniques - I find stretching really helps me to calm down. You may want to consider yoga or pilates. I personally like Queen Afua's Womb Dance movements.

Cultural Notions Contribute to African-American Obesity

by Mary Beth Faller, The Arizona Republic

It's a sensitive topic, and Eric J. Bailey has heard about it. "I've already received some subtle remarks saying, 'Why are you doing this?' " he says. Bailey, a medical anthropologist, has written a new book, Food Choice and Obesity in Black America: Creating a New Cultural Diet (Praeger Publishers, 2006, $39.95, hardcover).

"The African-American community is conservative," says Bailey, who is Black. "So many things just are not talked about. Weight is just one of those things. "But we need to bring theses issues to the forefront because we're losing too many people needlessly and the quality of life has declined dramatically." Not only is obesity more prevalent among Black Americans than other ethnic groups, Blacks also are more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And they are more likely to experience higher rates of serious complications from the disease, such as blindness, amputation and end-stage renal disease.