OBESITY: A SCIENTIFIC

UPDATE

Presented by: Holly Shaffer, MS CHES

February 2009

OBESITY A NATIONAL TREND- HOW BAD IS IT?

60% of Americans are overweight or obese.

The risk of becoming obese if you are 30 years old today is 39% for women and 48% for men.

Studies predict that based on current obesity rates, especially among youth and minorities, life expectancy in the US can be expected to decline!

Fido and Fi Fi are not immune either. Our pets are are suffering the same ill effects of being overweight

that we are.

OBESITY TRENDS* AMONG U.S. ADULTS

BRFSS, 1986(*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person)

No Data <10% 10%–14%

OBESITY TRENDS* AMONG U.S. ADULTS

BRFSS, 1995(*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person)

No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19%

OBESITY TRENDS* AMONG U.S. ADULTS

BRFSS, 2000(*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person)

No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% ≥20%

OBESITY TRENDS* AMONG U.S. ADULTS

BRFSS, 2005(*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person)

No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% 20%–24% 25%–29% ≥30%

OBESITY TRENDS* AMONG U.S. ADULTS

BRFSS, 2007(*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person)

No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% 20%–24% 25%–29% ≥30%

EXTRA POUNDS AND HEALTH CARE SPENDING

Obesity related illness have been responsible for a tenfold

increase in private health insurance spending since 1987.

Taking the frequency of obesity into account for a company

with 1,000 employees obesity would cost about $285,000 a

year (For Bentley that would be close to $900,000 a year!)

It is estimated that treating an obese individual costs 1,244

more than treating a healthy –weight individual. In 1987, the

cost difference was $272.

Source: RTI International Health, Social, and Economics Research and the CDC, 2005

NOT ALL FAT IS CREATED EQUAL

Apple vs. Pear- Which is better? Why?

Visceral Fat (fat around the middle)

Held within the deep organs increases pro-inflammatory diseases like: CAD (Coronary Artery Disease)

Depression/Bipolar

Alzheimer's

RA

Hip to Waist Ratio Greater than 35 inches for a woman

<.80 low risk <.85 Moderate risk

Greater than 40 inches for a man

<.90 low risk <1.0 moderate risk

Waist to hip ratio is more important than BMI or body fat measure when it comes to estimating risk of heart disease due to obesity!

HOW BODY SHAPE INFLUENCES YOUR HEALTH

Apples

Pears

Health Challenges: Heart

disease, diabetes, breast cancer

Diet strategy – High in complex

carbohydrates, moderate in

fats, moderate in protein

Best exercise- Walk 30 minutes every

day to burn apple-zone fat

Health Challenges: Osteoporosis,

varicose veins

Diet strategy – Low in fat, high in

complex carbohydrates, moderate in

protein

Best exercise- Resistance training 3

times a week to build bones

Source: The Body Shape Solution to Weight Loss and Wellness: 2005

FOOD ADDICTION: REAL OR IMAGINED?

Is it possible to be addicted to food?

YES! The right cortex of the brain controls pleasure and motivation.

Both cocaine and food cravings are linked with this cortex showing a

common brain pathway for drug addiction, food cravings and

hunger.

Our brains can actually get “high” on highly-preferred foods usually

high-sugar and high fat.

Chocolate the Perfect Fix!

*However drugs are far more powerfully addictive than food!

FACTORS THAT AFFECT OUR DESIRE TO EAT

CERTAIN FOODS

Genes/jeans- obese parents = obese kids

Food preferences (habits formed early in life usually by age 2)

Learned eating patterns

Social family influence

Environmental cues

Personality/Mood

HOW TO CURB FOOD ADDICTIONS

Wait 15 minutes before you “give in” to your craving get

busy and do something (walk, drink water, start a

household chore, etc.)

Find a food with characteristics you crave but less fat and

sugar.

Plan a controlled mini-binge; portion control is key-

Remember the 3 Bite Rule.

SLEEP CYCLE LINKED TO OVERWEIGHT

Studies show strong connection with lack of good quality

sleep and weight gain.

People who are sleep deprived have increased appetites

and crave foods that are high in calories, fat and sugar.

Over the past 40 years the amount of sleep Americans

average each night has dropped by two hours from 8.5 to

less than 7 hours per night.

People who get less than 8 hours of sleep are 15% hungrier

and are 15% more likely to over eat.

BREAKFAST- THE MOST IMPORTANT MEAL OF

THE DAY

Approximately 20% of all US adults and 27% of young American

women skip breakfast.

Those who eat cereal/grains for breakfast have lower BMI’s

than breakfast skippers or meat and egg eaters.

Studies show that people who successfully lose weight and

keep it off long term are routine breakfast eaters.

THE FRENCH CONNECTION

Only 7 % of French adults are obese

compared to 22% of Americans.

The French consume more dietary fat, but fewer calories

overall

Portion sizes are considerably smaller. Restaurants in

Philadelphia served meals that averaged 72% more food than

those served in Parisian counterparts.

Red Wine, in moderation, is also key.

OMEGA 3’S- ESSENTIAL TO OUR DIET

Why Omega 3’s?

At the cellular level makes all cell membranes more fluid and enables it to heal itself against free radicals

Protects against various disease states including: Alzheimer's

CAD

Depression/Bipolar/Schizophrenia

RA

Osteoarthritis

Allergy and asthma

Helps brain development in babies and children

Improves skin clarity and tone

How Much? 1,000-4,000 mg per day.

Bottom Line- EVERONE should make sure they get enough Omega 3

Bonus Question- Name a good food source of Omega 3’s?

VITAMIN D- GOOD FOR MORE THAN STRONG

BONES AND TEETH

Many emerging studies are pointing to Vitamin D’s ability to

affect the genes and their receptors.

61% of adults and kids are deficient.

Low levels of Vit. D have been linked to and can cause:

MS, Parkinson’s, Type I and II diabetes, breast cancer,

fibromyalgia, depression, and increased pain in the elderly

Recommended we get 400 iu/day. In order to get the 100%

daily dose we need two things.

Food/sun exposure

Supplments

Can have a simple blood test to measure the inactive form

in our bodies – 125 hydroxy D3

NEW SCIENCES ARE EMERGING

Epigentics- Exposure to nutrients in utero has long-

term and substantial impact on our health later on in life.

Nutragenomics-the nutrients we consume have

positive and negative affects on our genes (turn them on

or off, bind receptors or helps to free receptors).

“If you change the way you look at things. The things you look at will change”

- Dr. Wayne Dire

Questions?