Obesity is defined
simply as too much body fat. Your body is made
up of water, fat, protein, carbohydrate and various
vitamins and minerals. If you have too much fat
-- especially in your waist area -- you're at
higher risk for health problems, including high
blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, diabetes,
heart disease and stroke. Obesity is defined as
a BMI of 30.0 or greater (consistent with criteria
of the World Health Organization), or about 30
pounds or more overweight. Extreme obesity is
defined as a BMI of 40 or greater.
Obesity and Heart Disease
Obesity is now recognized as a major
risk factor for coronary heart disease, which
can lead to heart attack.
Obesity:
- Raises blood cholesterol and triglyceride
levels.
- Lowers HDL "good" cholesterol.
HDL cholesterol is linked with lower heart
disease and stroke risk, so reducing it tends
to raise the risk.
- Raises blood pressure levels.
- Can induce diabetes. In some people, diabetes
makes these other risk factors much worse.
The danger of heart attack is especially high
for these people.
The American Heart Association
guidelines for weight management:
Weight loss to improve cardiovascular
health is a high priority of the American Heart
Association because approximately 34% of the population
is overweight.
There is a great deal of public, commercial, and
medical interest in promoting long-term weight
loss programs.
Diet and Nutrition
The nutritional recommendations for each
participant's treatment should include a personal
food plan that takes into account current eating
habits, lifestyle, ethnicity and culture, energy
needs, any diet prescription related to medical
treatment, and potential nutrient-drug interactions.
Food Selection
- No more than 5 to 8 teaspoons of fats and
oils per day, including the fats used in cooking
and baking and in salad dressings and spreads
- Six ounces or less of lean meat, fish, or
skinless poultry
- No more than three or four egg yolks per
week
- Two to four servings of nonfat or low-fat
milk and dairy products per day
- Five or more servings of fruits and vegetables
per day
- Six or more servings of breads, cereals,
rice, pasta, other grains, and starchy vegetables
per day
Exercise
Exercise
should be considered one of the highest priorities
of a weight management program. The weight management
program should include an exercise component that
is safe and appropriate for each participant.Before
exercise recommendations are made, each person
should be screened for conditions in which exercise
could be contraindicated. Participants should
be made aware of both normal and abnormal physiological
responses to exercise. They should work toward
performing at least 30 to 60 minutes of physical
activity five to seven times per week. In addition,
increasing leisure-time activity levels should
be encouraged. |
