Obesity rates soaring in Australia

global obesity report a shock to NZ healthy “kiwi” image

Emily Bourke reported this story on Thursday, May 29, 2014 08:25:00

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CHRIS UHLMANN: It’s a trans-Tasman contest that we should be happy to lose. A global study of almost 200 countries has found that over the last 30 years New Zealand has just edged out Australia to post the largest absolute increase in adult obesity.

But together the rates of obesity in our region are climbing faster than anywhere else in the world and almost a quarter of Australia’s children and 63 per cent of its adult population now tips the scales as overweight or obese.

Health authorities say the report should prompt the Federal Government to commit to a national anti-obesity strategy.

Emily Bourke reports.

EMILY BOURKE: It’s the first global survey to comprehensively track trends in the prevalence of overweight and obesity in 188 countries in all 21 regions of the world from 1980 to 2013. And it’s found more than half of the world’s 670 million obese individuals live in just 10 countries – and they include the United States, China, India, Russia, Mexico, Egypt and Indonesia. But over the past three decades, Australasia has outpaced other regions of the world with the largest absolute increase in adult obesity.

Professor Alan Lopez was among the international researchers working on the global burden of disease analysis.

ALAN LOPEZ: We are at the levels of overweight and obesity as the United States is. Three decades ago obesity levels in Australia were a half to a third of what they are now.

We need to understand that overweight and obesity is not just something at an individual aesthetic level. It has serious health consequences that ought to be taken much more seriously by the public health community of Australia.

EMILY BOURKE: The data published in the Lancet shows that the situation is slightly worse in New Zealand, but that’s of little comfort to Australia.

ROB MOODY: We’ve put weight on collectively and we’ll have to take weight off collectively, I am sure.

EMILY BOURKE: Rob Moody is Professor of Public Health at Melbourne University.

ROB MOODY: It’s no longer just a problem of the rich or wealthier countries like Australia; it’s a problem now in many parts of the developing world, particularly in the Pacific and the Caribbean, but also in China and India.

So that’s the first thing, it’s a major global problem driven by global forces such as processed food and otherwise called junk food and junk drink industries.

It’s also driven by a change in the way that we live. These major rises have occurred over a pretty short period of time and there hasn’t been a sudden change in our genes; nor has there been a huge failure of personal responsibility or of will.

And we know in some countries where they’re not doing nearly as badly, you know, Japan, Spain, France, parts of northern Europe, you know, they seem to have sort of healthier food environments than we do in Australia. Ours is much more like the US with saturation advertising.

And we unfortunately in Australia suffer from the fact that the kings of Australian sport, whether they’re in AFL or cricket or NRL, they are basically ambassadors of junk food and junk drinks.

EMILY BOURKE: Health experts are calling for a return to the waistlines of 1980 to prevent unsustainable health consequences.

Jane Martin from the Obesity Policy Coalition says the report is further evidence that Australia needs a national anti-obesity strategy.

JANE MARTIN : It’s the same sort of approach that we used very, very successful in tobacco control and Australia’s a real leader.

And what that’s about is looking at how do you increase the price of unhealthy foods; reduce the price of healthy foods – that’s why we are so concerned about the potential for a GST to go across healthy foods; keep looking at advertising and marketing of foods and in particular protecting children.

It’s around looking at policies around food that is supplied by institutions that are funded by government. It’s looking at encouraging smaller serving sizes; having social marketing campaigns that give education to people and help put it on, you know, the individual’s agenda in an environment where it pushes people to make healthier choices and be more active. You know, there’s a lot of things that can be done.

CHRIS UHLMANN: Jane Martin from the Obesity Policy Coalition. Emily Bourke with that report.

US Obesity Continues To Grow As A National Epidemic

Obesity is more than an aesthetic problem or an issue of a few extra pounds here or there. Obesity is an American epidemic that shows no signs of fading away; in fact, the situation continues to worsen. Soon, obesity will pass tobacco as the leading cause of preventable deaths in this country.

“Overweight and obesity may soon cause as much preventable disease and death as cigarette smoking,” said David Satcher, the U.S. Surgeon General. “People tend to think of overweight and obesity as strictly a personal matter, but there is much that communities can and should do to address these problems.”

Obesity is defined as having a Body Mass Index (BMI) level of greater than 30. (For more information on BMI and how to calculate yours, refer to the U.S. Surgeon General’s web site cited below.) Incredibly, an estimated 300,000 U.S. deaths each year are associated in some way with obesity and overweight. Cost-wise, the price is steep as well: the total direct and indirect costs attributed to overweight and obesity were $117 billion last year (2000).

There is no shortage of good reasons that overweight and obesity are referred to in medical circles as epidemics. In all reality, if these serious health issues are not addressed as such, they “could wipe out some of the gains we’ve made in areas such as heart disease, several forms of cancer, and other chronic health problems,” said Surgeon General Satcher.

Going forward, there are a number of initiatives and calls to action that the government, the medical establishment and scores of fitness, wellness and good-health proponents are suggesting and promoting. One is the changing of the perception that obesity is about body image and personal appearance. Obesity is about health, and can be, in its most serious form, a matter of life and death. It’s much more than looking good in a bathing suit or in your favorite pair of jeans. Another widespread notion that needs to be revised is the idea that losing weight, getting in shape and changing habits is an “all or nothing proposition.”

There are also a number of movements that aim to nip the epidemic in the bud at the early childhood and adolescent levels. It’s well known that obese children grow up to be obese adults (about 70% of them). It is never too early to encourage physical activity and good eating habits to the younger generation. Playing outside on the playground is preferable to sitting on the couch in front of the TV any day.

The message out there is clear: Any effort is better than none at all, and it is not difficult to see results from even a minor positive change in routine or habit. Weight loss can result in lower blood pressure, lower blood sugar, better cholesterol levels and lessened joint and back pain.

And as the US Surgeon General himself put it, “Every pound counts.”

Some more facts at a glance :

•  Since 1980, obesity among adults has doubled. Among adolescents the number has tripled.

•  Less than one-third of Americans meet the standards (set by the federal government) for exercising at least 30 minutes per day for five days per week.

•  Even being 10 to 20 pounds overweight increases the risk of developing diabetes, heart disease, and even premature death.

•  Skipping one 12-ounce soft drink or briskly walking 30 minutes most of the days of the week can, in a year’s time, help an individual lose 10 pounds.

(Sources: msnbc.com, http://www.surgeongeneral.gov)

US obesity epidemic propels fitness as career

September 10, 2012

The US obesity epidemic is pushing more Americans to pay attention to their health and leading a healthier lifestyle. — Reuters pic

NEW YORK, Sept 10 — As the American waistline continues its spread, fitness is shaping up as one of the hottest careers of this tepid economic recovery.Employment of fitness trainers and instructors is expected to grow by a brisk 24 per cent in the decade to 2020, according to the US Bureau of Labour Statistics, as businesses, health professionals and insurance companies take sharper aim at the sedentary lifestyle.

“The obesity epidemic has produced a lot of noise and talk and chatter,” said Cedric Bryant, chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise (ACE), which has certified more than 50,000 fitness professionals.

“Helping individuals be more active is important and fitness professionals can be at the centre of that,” he said.

Obesity rates have skyrocketed in the last 20 years. More than one third of adults in the United States are obese, according to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

Bryant said the health crisis is strongly linked to the lifestyle choices that fitness professionals, such as personal trainers and group fitness instructors, address.

Despite the shaky economy, health club membership is up more than 10 per cent over the past three years, according to IHRSA, the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association.

Exercise physiologist and ACE spokesperson Jessica Matthews said workplace wellness campaigns also increase demand for fitness professionals.

Bryan said the average salary for a certified personal trainer is about US$53,000 (RM164,000) and rising. A high school diploma is sufficient to begin a career in fitness, he added, although more than two-thirds of professionals have college degrees.

Matthews said the industry attracts career changers driven by the downturn to reinvent their working selves.

“In the last few years people have been coming from all different industries,” said Matthews, who has worked in fitness for 12 years.

While you don’t need college to enter the field, she said, continuing education is a must to remain in it.

“It’s accessible, but it involves a great commitment,” she explained. “There’s the preparation and study for the exam, and then the requirement of continuing education to stay current.”

Bryant said the individual must re-certify every two years.

Matthews, who is qualified in group fitness, personal training and yoga, said the most successful trainers are the constant learners.

The obesity epidemic is the United States is also a contributing factor.

“There’s a huge push from the weight standpoint,” she said. “Most people come to fitness professionals with weight goals.”

Bryant said the profession is about more than aesthetics: it’s about making a connection with the client.

“It’s called personal training for a reason,” Matthews explained. “You’re an educator, a motivator, someone who holds them (clients) accountable. You coach individuals. At the end of the day it’s customer service.”

Husband-and-wife team Phil and Michelle Dozoirs opened their mom-and-pop gym, BreakthruFitness, in Pasadena, California, just as the economy was tipping into free fall.

“We opened in 2009, pretty much when the economy fell apart, said Phil Dozoirs. “We had both been working in gyms for 15 years, me as trainer, my wife as group exercise instructor.”

The Dozoirs envisioned and created a club where people buy only what they need.

Dozoirs said his programs range from eight-week weight loss to total conditioning.

“People will pay more money for it if there’s a start-finish,” he said. “For us it’s been really successful financially.”

When he hires a new fitness professional, Dozoirs said he looks for a person with a pleasing personality who is open to learning.

“They don’t have to be fit, as long as they’re on the path to fitness. I believe they should walk the walk,” he said. — Reuters

Source: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/features/article/us-obesity-epidemic-propels-fitness-as-career

Lose Weight by Having Sex

Sex is a great green way to lose weight. In fact, the average sex session burns 150 to 250 calories per half hour—depending on how athletic your sex tends to be. Dr. Laura Berman, PhD, LCSW, a clinical assistant professor of obstetrics-gynecology and psychiatry at the Feinberg School of Medicine of Northwestern University in Chicago, and director of the Berman Center has said that sex is definitely a good workout—even if you aren’t extremely acrobatic, as sex naturally gets your heart rate up, which in turn improves circulation and burns calories and fat. By practicing positions other than just missionary, you are also engaging different muscle groups, so it can be both a cardio and toning exercise. The best thing about it (well maybe not the best, but?) is that it’s green. There is absolutely no energy or equipment necessary—except your own.

Source: http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/diet-fitness/weight-loss/green-ways-lose-weight1.htm

See also: http://www.inspire.com/denismccarthy/

US obesity epidemic propels fitness as career

September 10, 2012

The US obesity epidemic is pushing more Americans to pay attention to their health and leading a healthier lifestyle. — Reuters pic

NEW YORK, Sept 10 — As the American waistline continues its spread, fitness is shaping up as one of the hottest careers of this tepid economic recovery.

Employment of fitness trainers and instructors is expected to grow by a brisk 24 per cent in the decade to 2020, according to the US Bureau of Labour Statistics, as businesses, health professionals and insurance companies take sharper aim at the sedentary lifestyle.

“The obesity epidemic has produced a lot of noise and talk and chatter,” said Cedric Bryant, chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise (ACE), which has certified more than 50,000 fitness professionals.

“Helping individuals be more active is important and fitness professionals can be at the centre of that,” he said.

Obesity rates have skyrocketed in the last 20 years. More than one third of adults in the United States are obese, according to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

Bryant said the health crisis is strongly linked to the lifestyle choices that fitness professionals, such as personal trainers and group fitness instructors, address.

Despite the shaky economy, health club membership is up more than 10 per cent over the past three years, according to IHRSA, the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association.

Exercise physiologist and ACE spokesperson Jessica Matthews said workplace wellness campaigns also increase demand for fitness professionals.

Bryan said the average salary for a certified personal trainer is about US$53,000 (RM164,000) and rising. A high school diploma is sufficient to begin a career in fitness, he added, although more than two-thirds of professionals have college degrees.

Matthews said the industry attracts career changers driven by the downturn to reinvent their working selves.

“In the last few years people have been coming from all different industries,” said Matthews, who has worked in fitness for 12 years.

While you don’t need college to enter the field, she said, continuing education is a must to remain in it.

“It’s accessible, but it involves a great commitment,” she explained. “There’s the preparation and study for the exam, and then the requirement of continuing education to stay current.”

Bryant said the individual must re-certify every two years.

Matthews, who is qualified in group fitness, personal training and yoga, said the most successful trainers are the constant learners.

The obesity epidemic is the United States is also a contributing factor.

“There’s a huge push from the weight standpoint,” she said. “Most people come to fitness professionals with weight goals.”

Bryant said the profession is about more than aesthetics: it’s about making a connection with the client.

“It’s called personal training for a reason,” Matthews explained. “You’re an educator, a motivator, someone who holds them (clients) accountable. You coach individuals. At the end of the day it’s customer service.”

Husband-and-wife team Phil and Michelle Dozoirs opened their mom-and-pop gym, BreakthruFitness, in Pasadena, California, just as the economy was tipping into free fall.

“We opened in 2009, pretty much when the economy fell apart, said Phil Dozoirs. “We had both been working in gyms for 15 years, me as trainer, my wife as group exercise instructor.”

The Dozoirs envisioned and created a club where people buy only what they need.

Dozoirs said his programs range from eight-week weight loss to total conditioning.

“People will pay more money for it if there’s a start-finish,” he said. “For us it’s been really successful financially.”

When he hires a new fitness professional, Dozoirs said he looks for a person with a pleasing personality who is open to learning.

“They don’t have to be fit, as long as they’re on the path to fitness. I believe they should walk the walk,” he said. — Reuters

Source: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/features/article/us-obesity-epidemic-propels-fitness-as-career

Obesity Reduces Cognition

22 March 2012 Last updated at 00:58 GMT
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-17465404

Obesity harms ‘later brain skill’

Being overweight in later life puts you at higher risk of brain decline, Korean research suggests.

A study of 250 people aged between 60 and 70 found those with a high body mass index (BMI) and big waists scored more poorly in cognitive tests.

The Alzheimer’s Society said the research, in the journal Age and Ageing, added to evidence that excess body fat can affect brain function.

Lifestyle changes can help make a difference, it said.

The study looked at the relationship between fat levels and cognitive performance in adults aged 60 or over.

The participants underwent BMI – a calculation based on a ratio of weight to height – and waist circumference measurements, a scan of fat stored in the abdomen and a mental test.

Both a high BMI and high levels of abdominal fat were linked with poor cognitive performance in adults aged between 60 and 70.

In individuals aged 70 and older, high BMI, waist circumference and abdominal body fat were not associated with low cognitive performance.

The lead author of the study, Dae Hyun Yoon, said: “Our findings have important public health implications. The prevention of obesity, particularly central obesity, might be important for the prevention of cognitive decline or dementia.”

A spokesperson from the UK Alzheimer’s Society said: “We have all heard how a high BMI is bad for our heart but this research suggests it could also be bad for the head.

“Although we don’t know whether the people in this study went on to develop dementia, these findings add to the evidence that excess body fat could impact on brain function.

“One in three people over 65 will die with dementia but there are things people can do to reduce their risk.

“Eating a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly and getting your blood pressure and cholesterol checked can all make a difference.”

Seven Tips to Getting in Shape

Posted: December 30, 2010 in Mountainside Fitness
http://mountainsidefitness.wordpress.com/
Tags: exercise, mountainside fitness

Although anyone can cover the basics (eat right and exercise), there are some things that we all learn through trial and error. Here are a few to share of those lesser known tips.

1)  Exercise Daily

What’s easier, exercising three times a week or seven? It is far easier to make exercise a habit if it is a daily one. If you aren’t exercising at all, start by exercising a half hour every day. When you only exercise a couple times per week, it is much easier to turn one day off into three days off, a week off or a month off. If you are already used to exercising, switching to three or four days to fit your schedule may be preferable, but it is a lot harder to maintain a habit you don’t do every day.
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2)  Duration Doesn’t Substitute for Intensity

Once you get into the habit of regular exercise, where do you go if you still aren’t reaching your goals? Most people will solve the problem by exercising for longer periods of time, turning forty minute workouts into two hour stretches. Not only does this drain your time, but it doesn’t work particularly well.

Exercise for periods longer than sixty to ninety minutes can change the chemical state in the body which destroys muscle and causes fat content to rise.

3)  You Have a Set Point, Acknowledge It

Drugged up by no-limits, self-help philosophy, many people get frustrated when they plateau in their weight loss or muscle gaining goals. Everyone has an equilibrium and genetic set point where there body wants to remain. This doesn’t mean that you can’t achieve your fitness goals, but don’t be too hard on yourself if you are struggling to lose weight or put on muscle. Acknowledging a set point doesn’t mean giving up, but it does mean realizing the obstacles you face.

Expect to hit a plateau in your own fitness results. When you expect a plateau you can manage around it so you can continue your progress at a more realistic rate. When expectations meet reality you can avoid dietary crashes.

4)  Eat Healthy, Not Just Food That Looks Healthy

Know what you eat. Don’t fuss over minutia like whether your getting enough Omega 3’s or tryptophan, but be aware of the big things. Look at the foods you eat regularly and figure out whether they are healthy or not. Don’t get fooled by the deceptively healthy snacks just pretending to be good for you.

The basic nutritional advice seems to be:

Eat unprocessed
Eat more veggies
Use meat as a side dish, not a main course

5)  Watch Out for Travel

Don’t let a four day holiday interfere with your attempts to get in shape. This doesn’t mean that you need to follow your diet and exercise plan without any excursion, but when you are in the first thirty to sixty days, still forming habits, be careful that a week long break doesn’t terminate your progress.

This is also true of schedule changes that leave you suddenly busy or make it difficult to exercise. Have a backup plan so you can be consistent, at least for the first month when you are forming habits.

6)  Starting Slow is Better than Fast

Ever start an exercise plan by running ten miles and then puking your guts out? Maybe you aren’t that extreme, but burnout is common early on. Take your time, you have a lifetime to be healthy, so don’t try to go from couch potato to athletic superstar in a week.

If you are starting running, run less than you can to start. Lifting weights? Work with less weight than you could use. Increasing intensity and pushing yourself can come later when you are familiar with regular exercise.

7)  People Can Lift OR Anchor

Should you have a workout partner? That depends. Workout partners can be great motivational boosts and make exercising more fun. But they can also stop you from reaching your goals. My suggestion would be to have a workout partner, but when you start to plateau (either in physical ability, weight loss/gain, or overall health) and you haven’t reached your goals, consider mixing things up a bit.

If you plateau, you may need to make changes to continue improvements. In this case it is important to talk to your workout partner about the changes you want to make, and if they don’t seem motivated to continue, offer a thirty day break where you both try different activities.

Most often guys working out together tend to match strength after a brief adjustment phase. Even if both are trying to improve, something seems to stall improvement once they reach a certain point. You will find that you will be able to lift as much as 30-50% more after taking a short break from my regular workout partner.

With the new year just around the corner, there is no better time than now to get a jump start on that resolution.

Power of Protein for Staying Lean, Battling Aging

Most people will experience a nearly 40 percent decrease in lean body mass and more than 100 percent increase in fat mass from age 25 to 70. However, did you know that you can reverse this trend with how much high-quality protein you consume and when you consume it daily to keep and build lean body mass with age?

The effect of age on body composition. Source: Schock et al. 1984 (adapted).

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New research shows that eating protein at the right times, particularly at breakfast, is primary for maintaining lean body mass with age. Combined with calorie control, it is also important for avoiding obesity. Plus, the effect of protein on muscle synthesis, satiety, and fat burning can also depend largely on the protein’s quality.

Aging is associated with an increasing body fat mass while simultaneously losing lean muscle tissue. This progressive process is characterized by 3 to 8 percent reduction in lean muscle mass each decade after age 30 and can be more than 50 percent loss of tissue in those over 80 years of age.

The change to gains of more fat and loss of lean mass impacts health in a way that leads to frailty, loss of strength, and decline in function and ability to care for oneself. The loss of muscle mass with age, called sarcopenia, is estimated to lead to socioeconomic and health care spending costs exceeding $18.5 million (1).

Most people don’t know they are losing muscle. It often goes undetected by the medical field because fat gain and weight stability mask the sarcopenia (2 & 3). However, the muscle loss, like osteoporosis, reduces quality of life and increases risk of disease and mortality.

Building and maintaining muscle is the most effective way to stave off the negative impact of sarcopenia and resulting risk of chronic disease.

Protein At Breakfast and Throughout the Day

The leading factors of observed sarcopenia are insufficient protein intake along with the lack of regular exercise. Maximizing muscle protein synthesis while watching total caloric intake in a dietary plan amounts to between 25 and 30 grams of high-quality protein per meal (3).

This is contrary to the current RDA, which is woefully inadequate! The RDA does little to promote optimal health in 
the elderly.

Surprisingly, 15 to 41 percent of adults have dietary protein intakes below the current RDAs, which further suggests a need to push 
for higher intakes of protein (4).

Clearly, maximal protein synthesis happens with adequate protein distribution throughout the day, starting with 25 to 30 grams of protein at breakfast (3). Protein at breakfast helps people stay stronger and leaner over the course of their lifetimes.

Putting a Stop To Sarcopenia with a Protein Shake

When it comes to manufactured foods in the marketplace, protein often takes the back seat and is often replaced with cheap carbohydrates. Protein fortification isn’t easy and usually affects flavor in a bad way.

This is where a good Protein Shake comes into the picture. It makes getting enough quality protein delicious and enjoyable. It can also be combined with whey protein to obtain higher amounts if needed.

Not all protein is the same: There are a variety of ways to address quality such as biological value and protein digestibility corrected amino acid score. Whey protein comes out on top by these measures. Also, the concentration of branched-chain amino acids (leucine, isoleucine, valine) is crucial, especially leucine.

Leucine is a rate-limiting step for protein to trigger muscle synthesis. Whey is unique for having a naturally higher concentration of leucine versus other sources of proteins such as meat, eggs, or soy.

A good Whey Protein Shake each day is key because you are giving your body quality protein from whey, which contains rich in branched-chain amino acids including leucine, which alone will trigger protein synthesis in muscles with or even without exercise.

The beauty of quality protein is that intake affects short-term and long-term mechanisms for body weight, beyond just muscle mass anabolism.

Quality protein taken every morning also increases satiety more than either fat or carbohydrate do, keeping people fuller longer, and inducing thermogenesis when it is 25 percent of dietary energy intake (4-9).

Source: Johnstone et al. AJCN. 1996: 50, 418-430

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The bottom line: quality protein throughout the day leads to better weight management, increased muscle and anti-aging. The end result is weight loss combined with maintained muscle, and a better quality of life.

References:

1. Janssen HC, Samson MM, Meeuwsen IB, Duursma SA, Verhaar HJ. Strength, mobility and falling in women referred to a geriatric outpatient clinic. Aging Clin Exp Res 2004;16:122-5.
2. Paddon-Jones D, Rasmussen BB. Dietary protein recommendations and the prevention of sarcopenia. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care 2009;12:86-90.
3. Hughes VA, Frontera WR, Roubenoff R, Evans WJ, Singh MA. Longitudinal changes in body composition in older men and women: role of body weight change and physical activity. Am J Clin Nutr 2002;76:473-81.
4. Luhovyy BL, Akhavan T, Anderson GH. Whey proteins in the regulation of food intake and satiety. J Am Coll Nutr 2007;26:704S-12S.
5. Hochstenbach-Waelen A, Veldhorst MA, Nieuwenhuizen AG, Westerterp-Plantenga MS, Westerterp KR. Comparison of 2 diets with either 25% or 10% of energy as casein on energy expenditure, substrate balance, and appetite profile. Am J Clin Nutr 2009;89:831-8.
6. Tappy L. Thermic effect of food and sympathetic nervous system activity in humans. Reprod Nutr Dev 1996;36:391-7.
7. Lejeune MP, Westerterp KR, Adam TC, Luscombe-Marsh ND, Westerterp-Plantenga MS. Ghrelin and glucagon-like peptide 1 concentrations, 24-h satiety, and energy and substrate metabolism during a high-protein diet and measured in a respiration chamber. Am J Clin Nutr 2006;83:89-94.
8. Westerterp KR, Wilson SA, Rolland V. Diet induced thermogenesis measured over 24h in a respiration chamber: effect of diet composition. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord 1999;23:287-92.
9. Heaney RP. Protein intake and bone health: the influence of belief systems on the conduct of nutritional science. Am J Clin Nutr 2001;73:5-6.

This entry was posted in Products and tagged Protein Shake, protein, Whey. Bookmark the permalink.March 10, 2011Source: More info: http://int-a1.com .

Whey Boosts Weight Loss Regardless of Calories (Not Soy)

Whey might help shed inches despite calorie intake, study suggests.

Whey protein is not only superior to soy for trimming down, but may help maintain or even promote weight loss regardless of intake of calories.

Protein has long been associated with increased satiety, thereby improving weight loss and promoting adherence to difficult, otherwise hunger-inducing diets. While protein may keep you fuller longer, a new study in the July issue of The Journal of Nutrition, showed that whey protein is more effective than soy protein when it comes to weight loss.

Researchers from the United States Department of Agriculture randomly assigned 90 participants to consume soy protein (SP), whey protein (WP), or carbohydrate (CHO) supplements at mealtime for 23 weeks. Total calorie consumption was not reduced or restricted—all participants were overweight or obese at the start of the intervention.

“This study suggests that after 6 mo of supplementation, there was a difference in body weight and fat mass between overweight and obese adults who consumed supplemental WP compared to those who consumed isoenergetic supplemental CHO,” the authors report.

The scientists didn’t observe similar weight-reducing results in the group that consumed soy protein or carbohydrate.

At the end of the trial, the whey protein group lost 4 more pounds in body weight and 5 more pounds in fat mass than the carbohydrate group.

“Additionally,” the researchers wrote, “consuming WP resulted in a significantly smaller waist circumference compared with the group consuming supplemental CHO.”

As found in this study, macronutrient (protein, carbohydrate or fat) choices can make an impact on body composition. Not only is protein thought to be satiating and thermogenic, whey protein consumption without calorie restriction had a favorable impact on body weight. The researchers emphasize that in the WP supplementation group “the difference in body weight was associated with a decrease in fat without an effect on lean mass.”

The authors write that protein is key to short-term weight loss because it reduces the urge to overeat and that the impact of whey protein on body weight without calorie restriction or the intention to lose weight is novel.

“Protein supplementation, particularly WP, in overweight and obese individuals may assist in long-term maintenance of body weight without energy restriction,” the researchers suggest.

Reference: Baer DJ, Stote KS, Paul DR, et al. Whey Protein but Not Soy Protein Supplementation Alters Body Weight and Composition in Free-Living Overweight and Obese Adults. J Nutr 2011, 141 (7). doi: 10.3945/jn.111.139840

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• Which Kind of Protein is Best for Losing Weight?
• Whey’s Amino Acid Profile Best for Building Muscle in Older Men
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First published : July 21, 2011. More info >>

Solving Childhood Obesity through Supportive Parenting

Parents can shape positive futures by encouraging healthy choices.

by Andrea Frank Henkart, MA, CCE, CHHE, CNC
More information: email blog editor

Nearly 1 in 3 American children are overweight or obese. Because this is such a growing tragedy, the President of the United States of America officially declared September 2010 as National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. This declaration brings national attention to a growing epidemic among youth in the United States.

According to The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 10.4 percent of American children ages 2 to 5 are obese, 19.6 percent of kids between 6 to 11 are obese, and 18.1 percent of adolescents ages 12 to 19 are obese. Pediatricians and gastroenterologists continue to link this obesity epidemic to an increasing number of children with diabetes, high blood pressure and liver disease. Experts blame:

• The prevalence of junk food and sodas marketed to kids
• Lack of exercise
• Too much time watching television and playing video games
• The decline in the number of families that take time to sit down and eat together
• Toxicity in the environment

Statistics show that soda, French fries, potato chips, hamburgers and chocolate comprise 70 percent of the American diet. No wonder America’s health is so awful. Unfortunately, countries around the world are quickly catching up. Diets rich in fresh fruits and vegetables have given way to processed foods filled with fat, salt and sugar. New estimates indicate that about half a million children in Europe are combating the same kinds of health problems suffered by middle-aged adults simply because they are overweight.

The explosion in obesity rates and obesity-related diseases have made us keenly aware of the need to make global changes in our collective behavior. When it comes to our kids, we have to make sure the message is about healthful living, not just weight. In all their eagerness to stem the obesity epidemic, parents must make sure they do not damage their kids’ self-esteem by reinforcing negative body image. It is rare to find an adolescent girl who feels good about her body. Boys are increasingly affected as well.

Of course the media feeds into this frenzy by suggesting that if we look a certain way we can get what we want out of life. With all the lifting, tucking and nipping shown on TV, it is no wonder that girls are untrusting of their own bodies, while boys turn to steroids and other methods to alter the way they look. I highly recommend that parents change the focus from looking good to being healthy.

Be Supportive

Children usually know if they are overweight and do not need to be reminded or singled out. They need acceptance, encouragement and love.

• Plan family activities that involve exercise. Instead of watching TV, go hiking or biking, wash the car or take an after-dinner walk. Offer choices, then let your kids decide which activity the family will participate in.
• Set family agreements for the amount of time your kids can spend watching television or playing video games. Let your kids participate in the making of those agreements so they feel involved and in control. Re-negotiate whenever necessary.
• Be sensitive. Find activities your children will enjoy that are not difficult or that could cause embarrassment.
• Eat meals together as a family and eat at the table, not in front of a television. Eat slowly and enjoy your food.
• Do not use food as a reward or punishment. Children should not be placed on restrictive diets, unless done so by a doctor for medical reasons. Children need healthy food for growth, development and energy. Buy organic meats, fruits and vegetables whenever you can to avoid harmful pesticides, hormones and antibiotics in your food.
• Make quality whey protein shakes, cakes and health bars available to your kids.
• Involve your kids in meal planning and grocery shopping. This helps them learn and gives them a role in the decision making.
• Keep healthy snacks on hand. Good options include fresh, organic fruits and vegetables, low-fat cheese, plenty of fresh water and whey protein bars. Look for non-allergenic, healthy snacks you can buy in your local health food store.

Armed with nutritional knowledge and honest concern for your child’s health, it is easy for food to become a source of conflict, especially if you have teenagers in the house.

Avoid bargaining or bribing kids to eat (or not eat as the case may be) and avoid using dessert as a prize. Do not force your kids to finish their food. This just teaches them to ignore their own feelings of fullness.

A better strategy may be to give your kids some control by letting them decide when they are hungry and when they are full. You are still in control over which foods are available at home, both at mealtime and between meals by only buying healthy, wholesome, nutritionally rich food.

Long-term good health is less an accident than the result of good habits and wise choices. Habits that include eating nutritious foods and understanding the relationship between physical and emotional health will help your child grow up healthy. Good nutrition does not mean that your children cannot eat their favorite foods or that they have to eat foods they do not like. Just monitor the sugary snacks, fast food and fatty desserts whenever possible. To enjoy good health now and in the future, learn how to create balance through eating right, exercising, getting enough sleep and controlling stress.

Andrea Frank Henkart

 Andrea Frank Henkart is an internationally recognized expert and keynote speaker in the fields of parenting, communication skills, and personal development. She has a Master’s Degree in psychology, two teaching credentials from UCLA, a degree in holistic health education from Heartwood Holistic Health Institute, and is a certified Nutritional Counselor. She is the author of seven books on health and wellness including best-seller, Cool Communication, co-written with her daughter Journey. Her new book on the benefits of Isagenix  for children will be released in early 2011.

Article source: more info blog editor  …  September 9, 2010

This entry was posted in Diet and Lifestyle and tagged Andrea Frank Henkart, child obesity,
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