Welcome to Obesity Guide
Obesity Help Article
. For a permanent link to this article, or to bookmark it for further reading, click here.
What Is The Mediterranean Diet?
from: Harvey DobsonIn 1993, the Harvard Medical School released the results of research that studied the diets of those countries bordering on the Mediterranean. Their findings suggested that fat and carbohydrates were NOT the main culprit in obesity and heart disease, but rather that the RIGHT fats and carbohydrates should be the base for a healthy diet. The study pointed to low rates of obesity, diabetes and heart disease throughout the region as proof of their contention. 'Exactly what is the Mediterranean diet and can it help you lose weight? There actually is no 'Mediterranean' diet - it's a compilation of the way that people in the countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea eat. Despite the differences in actual specifics, all of those studied based their diets on the same proportions of food groups and calories, and all included olive oil as their main source of fat. In fact, their diets contained far more than the recommendations made by the USDA - 40% rather than the 30% recommended for most healthy Americans. Still, the evidence was irrefutable. Therefore, it must have been the KIND of carbohydrates and fats that make the difference. 'The Mediterranean diet consists of the following guidelines: '60% Of Total Carbohydrates From Grains, Fruits And Vegetables'
Those include whole rice, fresh vegetables and fruits, whole grain breads and cereals, polenta, pasta (made with whole grain, not refined white flour) 'Sparing Use of Red Meat, Fish And Poultry'
The typical adult Mediterranean consumes about 15 ounces of red meat and poultry per week. Another 5-15 ounces of fish per week account for the bulk of their meat protein intake. Compare that to the typical American diet which might include a 1 pound steak for dinner one night, a 1/2 pound chicken breast the next, and on and on. 'Olive Oil'
Olive oil is not a miracle oil. It is, however, mono-unsaturated - a good fat. Mono-unsaturated fats help lower cholesterol rather than raising it, and are healthy ways to add fats to your diet (and yes, even though we think of fat as a dirty word, your body does need some, or it can't use many of the vitamins you feed it!) 'The other important component of the Mediterranean lifestyle was activity. The typical Mediterranean day includes walking rather than driving, physical activity in the fields or the home and recreation. Physical activity is vital in helping the body to lose weight, and to maintain your new weight once you reach it. 'The secret to losing weight with the Mediterranean diet is to base your meals on healthy carbohydrates - leafy green vegetables, brightly colored vegetables, whole grains and meals. Use meat sparingly - no more than 3-6 ounces per day. Derive dietary fat from vegetable sources - or from fish oil. Exercise regularly to rev up your metabolism. The Mediterranean diet isn't a weight loss regimen. It's a new way of eating that will help you reach your goal weight and stay there when you get there.
Obesity Help News
Battle of the bulge: Does treating obesity as a disease help? - Montreal Gazette
 Nanaimo Daily News | Battle of the bulge: Does treating obesity as a disease help? Montreal Gazette Called the "5 A's of obesity management" — ask, assess, advise, agree, assist — the checklist is designed to help doctors and other health care workers broach the subject in a sensitive and non-judgmental manner. Today in Canada, overweight and ... Top 10 things to know about obesity Drs asked to get patient OK before talking weight |
Schools awarded $25K for helping kids move - CNN
Schools awarded $25K for helping kids move CNN It's almost unbelievable when you know the statistics -- that one in six US children are obese, that nearly one-third are overweight, and that these rates are even higher for Hispanic children (of whom Miami has a high population). |
Program urges parents to help stop childhood obesity - KSLA-TV
Program urges parents to help stop childhood obesity KSLA-TV More >> A new study released on Monday by the CDC estimated that obese or overweight children were at double the risk of having a heart attack or heart disease. The study was done on children between the ages of 12 and 19. |
Want to lower breast cancer risk? Lose a little weight - Los Angeles Times
 Zee News | Want to lower breast cancer risk? Lose a little weight Los Angeles Times While more significant weight loss drove down estrogen and other helper hormones more deeply, even a weight loss far short of what would be needed to exit the obese category helps a lot. The study's authors estimate that a 5% loss of body weight would ... Study finds moderate weight loss reduces levels of sex hormones linked to ... Moderate weight loss cuts breast cancer risk Losing half a stone could halve a woman's risk of getting breast cancer ... |
As Obesity Epidemic Soars, Scientists and Researchers Explore Connections to ... - MarketWatch (press release)
As Obesity Epidemic Soars, Scientists and Researchers Explore Connections to ... MarketWatch (press release) "The aim of the conference is to show how basic research in the biochemistry, cell biology and genetics of metabolism can help address the major health problems of cancer, obesity, diabetes and insulin resistance," continued Robertson. |
Obesity among homeless almost as high as in general population, study finds - Plain Dealer
 Plain Dealer | Obesity among homeless almost as high as in general population, study finds Plain Dealer Surprisingly, according to a new study done by researchers at Harvard and Oxford universities, obesity may be the new picture of malnutrition, even among the poorest of us. The researchers found that obesity is just as common among the homeless as ... In US, many homeless people are obese Study finds the homeless also carry extra pounds around |
Pre-diabetes Found In Greater Number Of US Teens - RedOrbit
 RedOrbit | Pre-diabetes Found In Greater Number Of US Teens RedOrbit Insulin helps glucose migrate to cells, where it is used for energy. Those who have conditions of pre-diabetes have higher-than-normal blood sugar levels and can have an increased risk of developing full blown type 2 diabetes. Childhood obesity contributes to rise of diabetes "Pre-diabetes," diabetes rising among US teens Heart disease risk factor, diabetes, climbing among US teens, tweens |