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addictions to osteoporosis,
also obesity and insomnia |
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beyond health, wellness
at
work, nutrition |
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a-z physical
health : obesity
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My son
is extremely overweight and simply cannot control his eating
habits. No one else in our family is overweight or obese. What
possible explanation is there for my son’s weight problem? |
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The causes of obesity are
rarely limited to genetic factors, prolonged overeating, or
a sedentary lifestyle. What
we do and don’t do often results from how we think and
feel. For example, feelings of sadness, anxiety, or stress
often lead people to eat more than usual. Unless you act to
address these emotions, however, these short-term coping strategies
can lead to long-term problems.
For professional assistance
with obesity please call Wellnet on 084 944 9444 and a consultant
will refer you to a counselor in your area. |
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A close
friend of mine is currently suffering from obesity. I am very
worried about her health, as it seems to be deteriorating at
quite an alarming rate. What are the physical health risks commonly
associated with obesity? |
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Obesity is one of the world’s
fastest-growing and most troubling health problems. Unless you
act to address the emotions behind why you overeat, you could
be facing long-term problems. If
you have a very high body mass index (BMI) - that is, your
weight is significantly more than what is generally considered
healthy for your height - you may be increasing the risk of
many serious health conditions, including hypertension, heart
disease and stroke, Type 2 diabetes, gallbladder disease,
chronic fatigue, asthma, sleep apnea, and some forms of cancer.
For women, obesity can lead to problems in the reproductive
system. And studies show that severe cases of obesity can
reduce your life expectancy, particularly if you are a young
adult.
For professional assistance
with obesity please call Wellnet on 084 944 9444 and a consultant
will refer you to a counselor in your area. |
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My daughter
is constantly made fun of because of her weight. She is extremely
sad and depressed all the time. Is her sadness a result of the
insults she constantly falls victim to, or a result of her weight
problem? |
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Obesity is frequently accompanied
by depression and the two can trigger and influence each other.
Although women are slightly more at risk for having an unhealthy
BMI than men, they are much more vulnerable to the obesity-depression
cycle. In one study, obesity in women was associated with a
37% increase in major depression. There is also a strong relationship
between women with a high BMI and more frequent thoughts of
suicide. Depression can
both cause and result from stress, which, in turn, may cause
you to change your eating and activity habits. Many people
who have difficulty recovering from sudden or emotionally
draining events (e.g., loss of a close friend or family member,
relationship difficulties, losing a job, or facing a serious
medical problem) unknowingly begin eating too much of the
wrong foods or forgoing exercise. Before long, these become
habits and difficult to change.
Binge eating, a behavior associated
with both obesity and other conditions such as anorexia nervosa,
is also a symptom of depression. A study of obese people with
binge eating problems found that 51 percent also had a history
of major depression.
Additional research shows that obese women with binge-eating
disorder who experienced teasing about their appearance later
developed body dissatisfaction and depression.
For professional assistance
with obesity please call Wellnet on 084 944 9444 and a consultant
will refer you to a counselor in your area. |
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I have
suffering from obesity all my life. I can no longer stand to
look at myself in the mirror. What can I do to help myself overcome
obesity? |
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Dealing with obesity and similar
weight-control problems requires adopting new habits that foster
a healthier lifestyle, but don’t attempt radical changes
to your diet or activity patterns. You risk not only compounding
what is already a precarious health situation, but also overlooking
the core attitude and emotional issues that caused obesity in
the first place. Instead, consider a team approach that involves
several qualified health professionals. Your physician will
help you develop a safe plan for losing weight that includes
both diet and exercise. A psychologist can help you with the
emotional side of the equation - the stress, depression, or
experiences that caused you to gain weight. |
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Here are some other things to consider
in helping you or someone you know take action against obesity: |
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| • |
Think about what
you eat and why. Track your eating habits by writing down
everything you eat, including time of day and amount of
food. Also record what was going through your mind at
the time. Were you sad or upset with something? Or, had
you just finished a stressful experience and felt the
need for “comfort food?” |
| • |
Cut down on portions while
eating the same foods. Along with making dieting feel
less depriving, you’ll soon find that the smaller
portions are just as satisfying. This will also give you
a platform to safely curb your appetite even more. |
| • |
Note that while treating
obesity often helps decrease feelings of depression, weight
loss is never successful if you remain burdened by stress
and other negative feelings. You may have to work to resolve
these issues first before beginning a weight-loss program. |
| • |
Losing weight is always easier
when you have the support of friends and family. Try to
enlist the entire household in eating a healthier diet.
Many hospitals and schools also sponsor support groups
made up of people who offer each other valuable encouragement
and support. Research shows that people who participate
in such groups lose more weight than going it alone. |
| • |
Use the “buddy system.”
Ask a friend or family member to be “on-call”
for moral support when you’re tempted to stray from
your new lifestyle. Just be sure you’re not competing
with this person to lose weight. |
| • |
Don’t obsess over
“bad days” when you can’t help eating
more. This is often a problem for women who tend to be
overly hard on themselves for losing discipline. Look
at what thoughts or feelings caused you to eat more on
a particular day, and how you can deal with them in ways
other than binge eating. A psychologist can help you formulate
an action plan for managing these uncomfortable feelings. |
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For professional assistance
with obesity please call Wellnet on 084 944 9444 and a consultant
will refer you to a counselor in your area. |
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