It is inevitable that our caloric intake will rise during the holidays. That doesn’t mean to abandon your diet completely. Simple steps can be taken to avoid putting on extra pounds.
Americans, for the most part, are overweight. According to the Centers for Disease Control “American Society has become ‘obesogenic’, characterized by environments that promote increased food intake, non-healthful food, and physical inactivity”
Some blame genetics. They feel that their genes predispose them to obesity. Two physicians feel otherwise. Doctors James O. Hill and Frederick L. Trowbridge, in an article for Pediatrics from 1998, state “Despite obesity having strong genetic determinants, the genetic composition of the population does not change rapidly. Therefore the large increase in…[obesity] must reflect major changes in non-genetic factors.” In other words, the expansion of American waistlines is occurring far too fast to be blamed on genetics.
Maybe race plays a role in obesity. The CDC reported that “obesity data shows that African Americans have the highest obesity rates. African Americans had a 51% prevalence of obesity and Hispanics had a 21% higher obesity prevalence, compared with Caucasians.
In Richmond, and on the web, there are several places to turn if you feel you have a problem with food. First, there is Overeaters Anonymous (804) 346-5797. Secondly, there is an Eating Disorders Support Group at (804) 323-8846. Resources can also be found online at The Obesity Society and the Centers for Disease Control.
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Comments
Again, I must say that his articles offer a lot of informative information and I am very thankful that he is writing. I have a friend dealing with weight struggles and I am glad to find this information to offer her. Wonderful!!!!
Sarah, thank you again for your sincere comment. If you are willing, feel free to email me at nkcorey.examiner@gmail.com and I will give you a list of other resources for your friend.
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