1. Obesity: a growing epidemic
B. Keeping the protein
1. OBESITY: A GROWING EPIDEMIC
A. NUMBERS ARE OFF THE SCALE
Statistics published by the Weight-Control Information Network, a service of the National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, show more than half of American adults are overweight. Nearly 25 percent are classified as obese or have a significantly high proportion of body fat. Obesity is a contributing factor in the deaths of 280,000 American adults every year. Excess weight and obesity heighten the risk of many serious health problems including diabetes, stroke, heart disease, high blood pressure and certain cancers. These health concerns also result in a high cost financially, amounting to more than $99 billion in 1995. For more information, check the web site at
http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health/nutrit/pubs/health.htm
B. WORLDWIDE CONCERNS
Alison Field, assistant professor of medicine at Harvard University Medical School, researches weight concerns, weight control practices, obesity and eating disorders. Her studies include annual surveys of 17,000 children and 116,000 women. Obesity is rising quickly around the world, especially among children. "We never used to see obese children in China. Now you do. It's still moderate in Europe, but it is increasing rapidly in the U.S....Obesity is very difficult to treat. Many people lose weight, but few are able to lose weight and maintain that loss for an extended period of time. When you treat alcohol or substance abuse, you emphasize avoiding alcohol or drugs or situations where they'll be present. How can you avoid food? You need to deal with food. The implications are very serious as we're seeing adult onset diabetes in children..."
Contact: 617-525-2705
C. A SYMBOL OF PROSPERITY
Pat O'Reilly, developmental psychologist and professor of educational
studies at the University of Cincinnati, points out that obesity is the number one health problem in America, partly because of our affluence in respect to the rest of the world. "I was in Switzerland last December, and I did not see the prevalence of obesity in that country. Obesity is one result of our consumer-oriented society. I read recently the two most popular vegetables for Americans were iceberg lettuce and french fries."
Contact: 513-556-3614
D. THE FAST-FOOD FACTOR
Our quest for convenience is another reason why we're battling the bulge. Families on the run head through the drive-through instead of parking at their own kitchen tables. "If you're consistently eating fast food and you're not making healthy choices, you're going to gain weight," says Kirsten Lupinski, director, UC Wellness Center, who adds a Big Mac amounts to 560 calories, not to mention the 450 calories added with the large fries. "That's half of your daily allowance and it won't fill you up. You can still make healthy choices at the drive through. Order a salad or baked potato, or a grilled chicken sandwich over a fried chicken sandwich. That can make a big difference in the long run."
Contact: 513-556-6124
E. SAVING THE CHILDREN
Parents are a vital tool in combating childhood obesity which often leads to adult obesity. In a study which appeared in the January 2001 journal, Pediatrics, Alison Field, assistant professor of medicine, Harvard University Medical School, reported that media and parental influences seem to be shaping children's attitudes concerning weight. Children want to look like TV, film and other media images in terms of weight. She also found that children who reported that they thought their physique was important to their father were 2 to 3 times more likely to become very concerned with their weight regardless of what they actually weighed. So, parents should remember that if they make comments on weight, talk a lot about dieting or have unhealthy eating habits, their children may pick up the message that to be accepted or desirable, it is necessary to have a certain weight or shape.
Contact: 617-525-2705
2. A WOMAN'S PROBLEM?
A. WE'VE COME A SHORT WAY, BABY
The post-feminist years have not erased the pressure American women feel to look as good as the models they see on TV and other mass media, notes Edna Rawling, UC professor of women's studies and a psychologist. "Women are always encouraged to internalize the notion that they're only as good as their appearance. This notion really gives you a limited view of who you are and what you can accomplish. It's a positive thing that we have more emphasis on exercise and athletics these days, but I think women are often encouraged to do it for the wrong reasons. Women often do it to fit some cultural ideal, rather than for enjoyment or health. It's a hidden way our society oppresses women and keeps them from achieving all that they could achieve." She adds: "We still judge women by these old criteria. I don't see things getting better. Look at the focus on Oprah Winfrey, who is one of the most successful women in the world, but a lot of the attention is on her weight. I don't know of any woman that is not affected by this pressure."
Contact: 513-556-0648
B. A FEMINIST VIEW
As a feminist, UC's Women's Center Director Chris Bobel suggests that women need to approach weight loss with a "a healthy dose of skepticism." Women need to ask not how to lose weight, buy why do they want to lose weight? "Why is weight loss so necessary and who are we trying to please by losing weight?" she asked. Is it for health reasons or for some unattainable ideal that we've seen over and over again in the air-brushed mass media? "I have been very pleased to see more attention on larger women these days," she adds. "There's even a magazine, Mode, that is a plus size fashion magazine. It's a celebration of women size 12 and up and depicts large women in fashionable and sexy clothing. And there seems to be growing corporate interest in this population of women, because let's face it, the majority of women are this size." She cautions that the focus may be motivated by profit rather than growing acceptance of different body types.
Contact: 513-556-3279
C. MEDIA AND WOMEN OF COLOR
Up until the last several years, the mass media carried few images of women of color except for the occasional 'mammy,' says Vinnie Ray, program coordinator for the UC's Women's Center and its Students Educating About Eating Disorders program (SEED). That has been changing in recent years as music videos, movies, ads and TV shows now show more African American women. While the increased diversity is positive on the one hand, it alarms Ray on the other. She worries that eating disorders and preoccupation with weight loss may become as much of a problem for black women as it has been for whites. "Before five or six years ago, we [African American women] didn't have anyone to compare ourselves to in the media. Black women have not had to live up to an unrealistic ideal in the past. But now we're starting to see ourselves more, and what we're seeing is not very realistic in terms of body types. Now there's Angela Bassett, Halle Berry, Nia Long, Little Kim and Janet Jackson, who had a ribbed removed, breast augmentation and all kinds of plastic surgery."
Contact: 513-556-6261
D. THE MOTHER-DAUGHTER BOND
"The United States has the highest rate of anorexia nervosa in the world, and part of that is due to the emphasis on being slim, yet there's no emphasis on being healthy," says developmental psychologist Pat O'Reilly, University of Cincinnati professor of educational studies. O'Reilly says the prevalence of eating disorders among adolescent girls is triggered by the "popularity neurosis," the belief that if they're slim, they'll be attractive and popular. She adds that mothers may unknowingly be fueling the ultra-thin image. "Girls often see mothers fussing over their own weight, wishing they could drop another dress size. They're sending the message there's something wrong with you if you're not slim."
Contact: 513-556-3614
E. THE ULTIMATE IMAGE
In her longitudinal surveys, Alison Field, assistant professor of medicine, Harvard University Medical School, examines body-weight changes and attitude among 9-14 year olds. In her study she found that although fewer girls than boys are overweight, girls are more likely to diet. Thirty percent of normal-weight girls were dieting compared to 7 percent of normal-weight boys. "For girls, dieting is 'normal.' Girls find attractiveness to be synonymous with thin. They want low body fat. Boys also want low body fat, but being thin or small isn't desirable. Thin is 'effeminate.' They may want to bulk up but not be fat. That leads to questions of using supplements or steroids, both of which may be hazardous to their health." Over one year in the study, 3 percent of girls became overweight while 5 percent of boys did so. Significantly however, dieting girls were 5 times more likely to become overweight than girls who did not diet. Field can only guess as to why: perhaps, they are binging to compensate for times when they are dieting.
Contact: 617-525-2705
4. THE FASHION FACTOR
A. SHOCK ABOUT SIZE
Margie Voelker-Ferrier, associate professor of fashion design, University of Cincinnati, says clothing manufacturers are making larger sizes because, as a national population, Americans are growing heavier. However, manufacturers don't want to put larger-sized numbers on clothing labels as it's unpopular with consumers. In order to avoid offending consumers, the entire numbering scale has been altered such that there is now a size "0" for the smallest size. Voelker-Ferrier logically asked, "How can you be a size "0," not even existing?" One company, QVC, has had so many problems with sizes being returned that it's sponsoring a major sizing study for accuracy in garment sizes. It might be difficult to complete since most companies guard their basic sizing information to create brand loyalty.
Contact: 513-556-5041
B. APPEARING THINNER
For those who wish to use clothing to appear slimmer, UC fashion design associate professor Margie Voelker-Ferrier recommends a long jacket over skirt or pants. Avoid horizontal stripes except around the shoulders. Garments that cross or wrap in the front create diagonal lines and thus, are slimming. Also, fabrics that have little weight to them skim the body and so, make one appear slimmer. Wearing one color top-to-bottom is also slimming. Black is wonderful, because it hides so much. Fashion can even help slim the face. A dark turtleneck will slim the face by giving greater definition to and outlining the jawline and chin.
Contact: 513-556-5041
5. MARCHING (OR JOGGING) TO BATTLE
A. SHAPING UP AND STICKING WITH IT
"All of the gyms and weight loss centers are advertising their big introductory specials," says Kirsten Lupinski, director, UC Wellness Center. She adds memberships soar at the gym during the months of January and February, but the crowds drop off within the first three months of the year. "People set unrealistic expectations. They'll decide they're going to go to the gym every day of the week, and that's just not realistic in their goal setting, so they start out gung ho, but then, they give up." Lupinski stresses if people want to change their diet or adopt more healthy habits, they must set realistic goals. "Don't say, 'I'm never going to eat chocolate again,' because once you eat it, it's all over. If you've never been to a gym before, don't plan to workout every day of the week. Start out doing things you enjoy and set attainable goals."
Contact: 513-556-6124
B. REALISTIC GOAL-SETTING
Finding success through a new workout regimen can often be a matter of moderation. That's according to Annmarie Fay, assistant director of recreational sports at the University of Cincinnati, who helps oversee a large fitness facility for students, staff and faculty. "When people tackle a new workout program, they shouldn't take on the mentality that they are going to go at it six days a week for an hour-and-a-half at a time," Fay says. "They only need to think about working out maybe two days a week for that long, and then build up. Statistics show that the percentage of people who stop 6-to-8 weeks into a program are really high."
Contact: 513-556-5918
C. PUMPING IRON
Weight training can pose a risk to your well-being, if you are not careful from the outset. "If you're considering a weight training program, it is important to talk to a physician or health club trainer first, because you don't want to end up injuring yourself," says Annmarie Fay, assistant director of recreational sports at the University of Cincinnati. Fay says fitness programs work best when you have a goal going in that can serve as motivation and help you determine what kind of program you need to embark upon. "You need to find your interest level first and then build up your program," Fay says. "Weight training isn't the only option for getting in shape. What you choose could be as simple as walking your dog."
Contact: 513-556-5918
6. CUTTING THE FAT
A. VEGETARIANSIM: A GROWING TREND
Based on a national poll sponsored by the Baltimore-based Vegetarian Resource Group (VRG), the group estimates 4.8 million American adults keep meat off their plate. The estimate comes from analysis of a random survey of 968 adults in January 2000. The trend is growing among the Generation Y crowd. Six percent of the population aged 18-29 who were surveyed said they were vegetarian.
Davida Breier, consumer research manager for VRG, says there was a noticeable increase in vegetarians compared with earlier polls in 1994 and 1997. The 2000 survey tallied a vegetarian population of about 2.5 percent, a 1.5 percent increase over the earlier polls. "In a different survey of the readers of our magazine, Vegetarian Journal, the highest numbers readers fell into two key categories," says Breier. "82 percent of the readers who participated in the survey said they became vegetarian because of their health; 75 percent did so for ethical reasons, such as their position on animal rights and the environment."
Contact: 410-366-8343
B. KEEPING THE PROTEIN
Andrea Foster, family advocate for the University of Cincinnati Arlitt Child and Family Research and Education Center, has conducted workshops on family-friendly vegetarian cooking. The social worker (with a background in early childhood education) and mother says she became interested in vegetarianism 10 years ago, a personal choice because of her love for animals. Although meat is a prime source for protein, Foster says vegetarians can still get their required protein without it. "You want to make sure you're eating a variety of foods, including soy products. Any type of nut is a good protein source, as well as eggs, cheese, tofu, soy milk...anything with a high concentration of soy protein. There are also good soy-based meat substitute products that are available in grocery stores that are kid pleasers and convenient." Foster says the Ohio Soybean Council offers free cookbooks for anyone interested in vegetarianism. Check the council's website at http://www.soyohio.org
Contact: 513-556-2478
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