Obesity has been identified by the World Health Organization
(WHO) as one of the greatest public health challenges of the 21st
century. Worldwide, more than 1 billion adults are overweight with at
least 300 million being clinically obese. Moreover, over 22 million
children, now over the age of 5, are estimated to be overweight. Obesity
is also associated with a sedentary lifestyle which now ranks among the
10 leading causes of death and disability worldwide.
The 2004 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) reported that 23.1% of Canadians (5.5 million) aged 18 or older were obese (having a BMI over 30). An additional 36.1% (8.6 million) were overweight (having a BMI between 25 - 29.9) and almost 2/3 (59.2%) of Canadians are overweight or obese.
Recent research confirms that the risk of death is directly related to Body-Mass-Index (BMI), waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio.
The good news is that weight reduction results in reduced mortality risk. Weight gain, particularly around the mid section has life-threatening complications including the risk for Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension and stroke. There is also an increased risk of breast, colon, prostate, endometrium, kidney and gallbladder cancer.
Non-fatal, but debilitating health problems associated with obesity include: respiratory difficulties, chronic musculoskeletal problems including arthritis and back pain, skin problems and Infertility. Not surprisingly, addressing the underlying lifestyle behaviours of obesity - overeating and inactivity -has had a major and in reducing the cumulative incidence of diabetes.
Arthritis is one of the most prevalent chronic health conditions affecting the structure and functioning of joints (including those of the spine) leading to pain, disability and difficulty for individuals in performing everyday tasks and activities.
In Canada, arthritis ranks first as a cause of disability and inability to work, a top reason for physician visits, and a significant hindrance on quality of life. Arthritis is the 3rd leading cause of chronic health problems and people with arthritis are frequent users of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which can cause gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. Deaths due to GI bleeding were responsible for 1,322 deaths in 1998.
There is a strong correlation between weight gain and arthritis, partly due to the un-necessary stress on joints from excess weight as well as inflammatory processes involved in both weight gain and joint tissue degeneration.
Exercise is extremely important in your battle with arthritis. For one, it can help you to reach your weight-loss goals. Despite the abundance of diet plans, weight loss boils down to primarily on two things: expending more calories than you consume and choosing foods that enhance your metabolism.
Another benefit of exercise is that it strengthens muscles that surround and support the body's joints. Strong muscles can help relieve this pressure on the joints. In general low impact exercises are recommended recreationally including, swimming, water exercise, aerobics and walking.
Even modest weight loss can be beneficial and is a realistic goal to obtain. Rehabilitation should incorporate proper postural and gait exercises, isolated strengthening and balance training.
There are well researched supplements to facilitate cartilage health and prevent further joint damage. Foods that are anti-inflammatory are also vital in restoring joint integrity. While most people have heard about the benefits of diet, supplements and exercise for other diseases, the benefits of good lifestyle practices for arthritis are largely overlooked.
Your food selections should focus on whole grains, EFAs and mono-unsaturated fats, fruits, vegetables and lean protein sources.
Try to select organic, wild and free range (grass or grain fed) whenever possible and eat fish rich in omega oils, such as salmon, mackerel and anchovies at least 2 times a week. An easy rule to remember in terms of caloric intake is the 10 servings rule. This means eating 4 daily servings of quality protein and fats (serving size is the size of your palm), 3 servings of complex carbohydrates (3 cups) and 3 servings of fruits.
New research indicates that you should not sleep more or less than 7 hours per night. Any less or more will lead to weight gain. Mitigate your stress levels through exercise, relaxation, meditation, yoga, vacations and nutritional supplementation.
Vitamins C and multi Bs are great vitamins that combat stress producing cortisol in the body. Lastly, EXERCISE - at least 60 minutes a day. Health benefits of regular exercise are overwhelmingly documented. Make walking and/or cycling part of your daily routine.
Whatever you choose, remember to address all five factors and you will be on your way to maintaining a healthy weight and lessening your risk for many chronic diseases.
There is a simple solution to combating obesity and this requires two factors: a shift in food choices and increased physical activity. Maintaining a healthy weight is dependent on five key factors: food selection, caloric intake, sleep, stress and activity.
Here are 15 Basic Rules for Maintaining a Healthy Weight
1. Don't starve yourself - it's not healthy and it is doomed to failure.
2. Prepare your own meals and snacks.
3. Read labels - watch out for added sugar, salt (sodium), and ingredients whose names you can't pronounce (additives and preservatives).
4. Eat smaller portions and leave something on the plate.
5. Eat almost nothing from a box, a can, or a plastic container.
6. Eat 5 - 6 servings of fruits and vegetables per day. Forget the fruit juice - just eat the fruit.
7. Eat whole grains - complex carbohydrates only. Choose healthy grains such as spelt, kamut and quinoa.
8. Minimize animal fat intake (saturated fats) with the exception of coconut oil.
9. Have a protein source with every meal.
10. Eat junk food occasionally as long as you cook it yourself!
11. Drink plenty of filtered water. You can also drink green tea.
12. Exercise and have fun doing it!
13. Plan on at least one social event with friends or family per week.
14. Get 7 hours of sleep a day. (10-12 hours a day for children and adolescents)
15. Take vitamins, minerals or nutraceuticals to supplement your diet and support your body's various systems.
The 2004 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) reported that 23.1% of Canadians (5.5 million) aged 18 or older were obese (having a BMI over 30). An additional 36.1% (8.6 million) were overweight (having a BMI between 25 - 29.9) and almost 2/3 (59.2%) of Canadians are overweight or obese.
Recent research confirms that the risk of death is directly related to Body-Mass-Index (BMI), waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio.
The good news is that weight reduction results in reduced mortality risk. Weight gain, particularly around the mid section has life-threatening complications including the risk for Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension and stroke. There is also an increased risk of breast, colon, prostate, endometrium, kidney and gallbladder cancer.
Non-fatal, but debilitating health problems associated with obesity include: respiratory difficulties, chronic musculoskeletal problems including arthritis and back pain, skin problems and Infertility. Not surprisingly, addressing the underlying lifestyle behaviours of obesity - overeating and inactivity -has had a major and in reducing the cumulative incidence of diabetes.
Arthritis is one of the most prevalent chronic health conditions affecting the structure and functioning of joints (including those of the spine) leading to pain, disability and difficulty for individuals in performing everyday tasks and activities.
In Canada, arthritis ranks first as a cause of disability and inability to work, a top reason for physician visits, and a significant hindrance on quality of life. Arthritis is the 3rd leading cause of chronic health problems and people with arthritis are frequent users of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which can cause gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. Deaths due to GI bleeding were responsible for 1,322 deaths in 1998.
There is a strong correlation between weight gain and arthritis, partly due to the un-necessary stress on joints from excess weight as well as inflammatory processes involved in both weight gain and joint tissue degeneration.
Exercise is extremely important in your battle with arthritis. For one, it can help you to reach your weight-loss goals. Despite the abundance of diet plans, weight loss boils down to primarily on two things: expending more calories than you consume and choosing foods that enhance your metabolism.
Another benefit of exercise is that it strengthens muscles that surround and support the body's joints. Strong muscles can help relieve this pressure on the joints. In general low impact exercises are recommended recreationally including, swimming, water exercise, aerobics and walking.
Even modest weight loss can be beneficial and is a realistic goal to obtain. Rehabilitation should incorporate proper postural and gait exercises, isolated strengthening and balance training.
There are well researched supplements to facilitate cartilage health and prevent further joint damage. Foods that are anti-inflammatory are also vital in restoring joint integrity. While most people have heard about the benefits of diet, supplements and exercise for other diseases, the benefits of good lifestyle practices for arthritis are largely overlooked.
Your food selections should focus on whole grains, EFAs and mono-unsaturated fats, fruits, vegetables and lean protein sources.
Try to select organic, wild and free range (grass or grain fed) whenever possible and eat fish rich in omega oils, such as salmon, mackerel and anchovies at least 2 times a week. An easy rule to remember in terms of caloric intake is the 10 servings rule. This means eating 4 daily servings of quality protein and fats (serving size is the size of your palm), 3 servings of complex carbohydrates (3 cups) and 3 servings of fruits.
New research indicates that you should not sleep more or less than 7 hours per night. Any less or more will lead to weight gain. Mitigate your stress levels through exercise, relaxation, meditation, yoga, vacations and nutritional supplementation.
Vitamins C and multi Bs are great vitamins that combat stress producing cortisol in the body. Lastly, EXERCISE - at least 60 minutes a day. Health benefits of regular exercise are overwhelmingly documented. Make walking and/or cycling part of your daily routine.
Whatever you choose, remember to address all five factors and you will be on your way to maintaining a healthy weight and lessening your risk for many chronic diseases.
There is a simple solution to combating obesity and this requires two factors: a shift in food choices and increased physical activity. Maintaining a healthy weight is dependent on five key factors: food selection, caloric intake, sleep, stress and activity.
Here are 15 Basic Rules for Maintaining a Healthy Weight
1. Don't starve yourself - it's not healthy and it is doomed to failure.
2. Prepare your own meals and snacks.
3. Read labels - watch out for added sugar, salt (sodium), and ingredients whose names you can't pronounce (additives and preservatives).
4. Eat smaller portions and leave something on the plate.
5. Eat almost nothing from a box, a can, or a plastic container.
6. Eat 5 - 6 servings of fruits and vegetables per day. Forget the fruit juice - just eat the fruit.
7. Eat whole grains - complex carbohydrates only. Choose healthy grains such as spelt, kamut and quinoa.
8. Minimize animal fat intake (saturated fats) with the exception of coconut oil.
9. Have a protein source with every meal.
10. Eat junk food occasionally as long as you cook it yourself!
11. Drink plenty of filtered water. You can also drink green tea.
12. Exercise and have fun doing it!
13. Plan on at least one social event with friends or family per week.
14. Get 7 hours of sleep a day. (10-12 hours a day for children and adolescents)
15. Take vitamins, minerals or nutraceuticals to supplement your diet and support your body's various systems.
Dr. Connie D'Astolfo, DC, PhD (c) is the director of SPINEgroup®
an integrated medical rehab clinic located in Vaughan.
Dr. D'Astolfo is also pursuing a PhD at York University. She has several published peer reviewed articles and is a chapter author for several medical texts. Her interests include chronic disease prevention and management, spinal disorders and rehabilitation. You can visit our website at http://www.spinegroup.ca or contact our client care representative at 905-850-7746 for more information on our clinical programs including our popular Metabolic Weight Management Program.
The SPINEgroup® Metabolic Weight Management Program is designed to strengthen your metabolism and ensure rapid weight loss while preserving and building your muscle tone.
Included in the program is a personal diet plan (based on a metabolic analysis) and our proprietary blend of vitamins, minerals and nutraceuticals to support your weight loss, cognitive behavioural therapy to address food addiction (centered on self-care and motivation)a home exercise plan from our physiotherapist and strength training in-clinic with the aid of whole body vibration technology. In most cases, the metabolic weight management program will be reimbursable through your extended health insurance.
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Dr. D'Astolfo is also pursuing a PhD at York University. She has several published peer reviewed articles and is a chapter author for several medical texts. Her interests include chronic disease prevention and management, spinal disorders and rehabilitation. You can visit our website at http://www.spinegroup.ca or contact our client care representative at 905-850-7746 for more information on our clinical programs including our popular Metabolic Weight Management Program.
The SPINEgroup® Metabolic Weight Management Program is designed to strengthen your metabolism and ensure rapid weight loss while preserving and building your muscle tone.
Included in the program is a personal diet plan (based on a metabolic analysis) and our proprietary blend of vitamins, minerals and nutraceuticals to support your weight loss, cognitive behavioural therapy to address food addiction (centered on self-care and motivation)a home exercise plan from our physiotherapist and strength training in-clinic with the aid of whole body vibration technology. In most cases, the metabolic weight management program will be reimbursable through your extended health insurance.
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