Childhood obesity

Childhood obesity has increased about 20% today.

This is because children now-a-days are usually spending time in front of television, computer, or playing video games. And not only from this, but children are also into high fat and sugar meals and snacks.
"A recent study reported that two-to-six-year-olds who watch television are more likely to choose food products advertised on TV than children who do not watch such commercials(http://life.familyeducation.com)." There should be less advertising on fast foods on television in order to keep the obesity percentage low.

It is pretty hard to start changing what children eat. And there are times that you want to grab some fast food in between school and on the way home. In that case, there are few ways to start reducing fat even from eating fast food.

These are some friendlier way to eat fast food meals:

"1.Pass on the “value-size.” When you supersize, the size of your fries isn’t the only thing that gets bigger.
2.Skip the sides. Eating a burger or sandwich by itself is often filling enough. If you do want a side, consider ordering a fruit cup or side salad. Most fast food restaurants now offer them.
3.Avoid double meat and bacon. A serving size of meat is 2-3 ounces — about the size of a deck of cards. You’re probably getting well over that with a single meat patty. Bacon is high in calories and fat with little nutrient content.
4.Try the grilled chicken sandwich. Poultry without skin is significantly leaner than the meats most fast-food companies use in their burgers.
5.Eat your sandwich open-faced. By eating only half the bun, you can eliminate unnecessary calories.
6.Try asking for a wheat bun. Some places offer a wheat alternative, some don’t. It never hurts to ask.
7.Skip the mayo and other calorie-laden dressings and sauces.
8.Drink water, diet soda or low-fat milk. Sodas are loaded with sugars, which have calories you don’t need(http://www.americanheart.org)."

*http://life.familyeducation.com
http://www.americanheart.org
image from: http://images.inmagine.com

Obese animals

There are 2 You Tube about obese animals!!

Part 1 Fat Dog

Part 2 Fat animals
～such as squirrel, shark, donkey,cat, mouse, zebra, etc～

U.S. Approves First Drug for Obese Dogs

According to Yomiuri News Paper, I found a interesting topic about obesity. From this topic I leaned that animal also could become obesity.

Not a remedy for overweight people, FDA warns

Thursday, Jan. 11, 2007 -- Recognizing that overeating isn't limited to beings with two legs, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the first prescription drug to manage obesity in DOGS.

Pfizer Animal Health (NYSE: PFE) announced that SLENTROL™ (dirlotapide), the first and only FDA-approved veterinary medication for the management of canine (relating to dogs) obesity, is now available by prescription in the United States. Pfizer is the obesity agent for dogs. The FDA cited surveys showing that up to 30 percent of U.S. dogs are overweight and about 5 percent are obese (more than 20 percent above ideal weight).

Overweight pets, like people, are at higher risk of health problems ranging from cardiovascular conditions and joint problems to diabetes, the FDA said.

To discourage use of the medication by people, Stentrol's label will warn that the drug is not intended for human use, should be kept away from children, and may cause adverse reactions in people, including abdominal pain (stomach), diarrhea, headache, nausea and vomiting.

"Slentrol, First Medication to Combat Canine Obesity, Now Available by Prescription." Pfizer News. June 12,2007.Pfizer.26June2007. http://mediaroom.pfizer.com/portal/site/pfizer/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&ndmConfigId=1006533&newsId=20070612005727&newsLang=en

Obesity Quiz

Question 1

According to a recent report, by how much is obesity estimated to shorten lifespan?

15 years
9 years
None


Question 2

If obesity continues to rise at current rates, what percentage of people will be obese by 2010?

15%
20%
25%


Answer!!

Question 1
Obesity can shorten your life by 9 years. 18 million days of work are lost through sickness due to obesity, and it costs the NHS £500 million a year.

Question2
25% of people will be obese by 2010. It is estimated that obesity will cost the economy over £3.5 billion a year in time off work due to illness.

HEALTHY FASTFOOD

Do you know "Soup Stock Tokyo"?


It is a fastfood shop in station.Usually, we have image that fastfoods become fat or unhealthy.We can image a shop like Mcdonald's,Wendey's,Kentuckey and others.However, Soup Stock Tokyo is a little different.There are only soup, curry, and bread, but have many variations and tastes.Also, you can see calories on the menu, so you can consult with yourself. Good parts are low calorie and many vegetables in, so healthy and delicious. It is very unique fastfood shop and I think if this kind of shop increase it will be nice!!!!!!

You can see menu below.

http://www.soup-stock-tokyo.com/

You Tube's Obesity Video

According to American Obesity Association, 65% of adults are obesity and 30% of children are chubby!! Let's find more specific information from this video.

We created a survey to hear the opinions of what other people see obesity.
Please answer few questions for us!! There are 2 parts to the survey.

Thank you very much!!!

This is the link to the survey

This is part 2 of our survey

5 A Day for Better Health Program

I was browsing through Dole website, and I found a interesting fact ^^
There is a 5 A Day for Better Health Program which Dole is also in part of. This is a national program to encourage people to eat 5 to 9 servings of fruits and vegetables to keep ourselves healthy everyday.

"The national 5 A Day for Better Health Program, established in 1991 as a partnership between the National Cancer Institute and the Produce for Better Health Foundation, is the largest public-private partnership for nutrition and health in the United States and in the world'www.dole.com'."

I myself did not know about this until I searched around online to look for a healthy eating habit promotions. I was really surprised when I found this article. I think there should be more education promotions like this to increase children and adults to encourage people to stay healthy by eating fruits and vegetables.

"5 Day Facts." www.dole.com
picture from: www.dole.com

25th Annual Meeting of the Academy of Gnathology and Occlusion

Sunday June 10th, I went to Tokyo International Forum in Marunouchi. With 11 stories above ground and 3 below, Tokyo's first convention and art center is a magnificent venue embracing a glass atrium and four buildings each housing a unique hall. 7 multi-sized halls, the Exhibition Hall and 33 conference rooms cater to a wide range of needs and requests. Each of these refined spaces boasts the finest equipment and facilities.
June 9th and 10th, 25th Annual Meeting of the Academy of Gnathology and Occlusion was held in the exhibition hall. The URL of this forum is http://nichigaku-event.com/
This forum is for dentist, orthodontist, dental hygienist, company related to dentistry, and so on. The purpose of this forum was to discuss about past, recent, and future dental science. According to the medical dictionary (Merck Source), they defined gnathology, “the science that deals with the anatomy, histology, physiology, and pathology of the jaws and the masticatory system (the part which you chew foods) as a whole, including the applicable diagnostic, therapeutic, and rehabilitative procedures.”
From that forum I got the pamphlet about connection between metabolic syndrome and periodontal disease (gum disease). I know we’re group which is searching about “Obesity” but I think disease like metabolic syndrome and diabetes are similar diseases. Recent study has proved the connection between gum disease, brain infarction, cerebral accident, pneumonia, heart attack, premature birth, low-weight baby birth, and diabetes. This is because those bacteria of gum disease go around the body and affect you to become serious diseases.

Periodontal (gum) diseases, including gingivitis (your gums are red, swollen, and painful) and periodontitis (symptom is same as gingivitis), are serious infections that, left untreated, can lead to tooth loss. The word periodontal literally means "around the tooth." Periodontal disease is a chronic bacterial infection that affects the gums and bone supporting the teeth. Periodontal disease can affect one tooth or many teeth. It begins when the bacteria in plaque (the sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on your teeth) causes the gums to become inflamed.
Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. The cause of diabetes is genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise appear to play roles.
Gum disease is linked to diabetic control. People with poor blood sugar control get gum disease more often and more severely, and they lose more teeth than do persons with good control. Diabetes can cause blood vessels to thicken and become less elastic which decreases the flow of oxygen and nutrients to body tissues and slows the removal of harmful waste. So if your blood sugar levels are not under control the sugar or glucose levels in your salvia increase and feed the bacteria in your mouth and set the stage for gum disease.

Kellogg raising nutrition!!!

According to Yahoo news, Kellogg decided to raise nutrition for cereals.
Kellogg cereals are loved by everyone around the world, (which includes me :D) such as rice krispies, froot loops, frosted flakes, and others.

*"The Battle Creek, Mich., company avoided a lawsuit threatened by parents and nutrition advocacy groups worried about increasing child obesity. Kellogg intends to formally announce its decision Thursday.(Sanner)"

I think this can help many children who loves to eat cereals. Cereals are known for a healthy breakfast meal, but to raise the nutrition for these will probably make more people love this.

*Sanner Ann, "Kellogg to raise nutrition of kids' food" http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070614/ap_on_he_me/kids_food
*image from:: (http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.junkfoodnews.net)

How does other people see Obesity

I asked randomly to few people what they think about obesity & their impressions...
Most people mentioned that::
1. People who are considered to be obesity usually eat things randomly, and dont have any self management. Usually, people should think about exercizing after they eat.

2. Obesity people are unhealthy because most of the time they eat junk food. People should realize the fact that eating oily foods can end up being unhealthy. This can also result to high cholestrol and damage your health.

Most of the people that I interviewed said that eating healthy foods after their regular meals can prevent this from happening, such as fruits and vegetables. And try to eat foods that are well balanced.

Connection between Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome

The metabolic syndrome of obesity is hallmarked by central obesity and insulin resistance. It is well established that the complications of obesity, such as heart disease, diabetes, hypertension and insulin resistance are more related to the central distribution of body fat rather than the overall level of obesity. This is also the basis for Dr. Reaven to propose "Syndrome X" as the characteristics associated with insulin resistance and obesity. The chart below summarizes the central features and additional components of the metabolic syndrome of obesity.

Metabolic Syndrome of Obesity and Syndrome X Components

Central Obesity 　　　　 →Abnormal Blood Lipid Profile
Hyperinsulinemia　　　　→　Hypertension
Hyperglycemia　　　　　　→Abnormal Glucose Tolerance
Procoagulant State　　　　→Inflammatory Markers: elevated levels of C-reactive protein　
Vascular Abnormalities　→Hyperuricemia

What is metabolic syndrome?
Metabolic syndrome is a collection of heart disease risk factors that increase your chance of developing heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. The condition is also known by other names including Syndrome X, insulin resistance syndrome, and dysmetabolic syndrome. According to a national health survey, more than one in five Americans has metabolic syndrome. The number of people with metabolic syndrome increases with age, affecting more than 40 percent of people in their 60s and 70s.

What are these health risks?
You are diagnosed with metabolic syndrome if you have three or more of the following:
A waistline of 40 inches or more for men and 35 inches or more for women (measured across the belly)
A blood pressure of 130/85 mm Hg or higher or are on blood pressure medications
A triglyceride level above 150 mg/dl
A fasting blood glucose (sugar) level greater than 100 mg/dl or are on glucose lowering medications
A high density lipoprotein level (HDL) less than 40 mg/dl (men) or under 50 mg/dl (women)
Who typically has metabolic syndrome?
People with central obesity (increased fat in the abdomen/waist)
People with diabetes mellitus or a strong family history of diabetes mellitus
People with other clinical features of “insulin resistance” including skin changes of acanthosis nigricans (“dirty skin” on the back of the neck or underarms) or skin tags (usually on the neck)
People with a triglyceride to HDL cholesterol ratio of > 3

What are the symptoms of metabolic syndrome?
Usually, there are no immediate physical symptoms. Medical problems associated with the metabolic syndrome develop over time. If you are unsure if you have metabolic syndrome, see your health care provider. He or she will be able to make the diagnosis by obtaining the necessary tests including blood pressure, lipid profile (triglycerides and HDL) and blood sugar.

What causes metabolic syndrome?
The exact cause of metabolic syndrome is not known. Many features of the metabolic syndrome as associated with “insulin resistance.” Insulin resistance means that the body does not use insulin efficiently to lower glucose and triglyceride levels. Insulin resistance is a combination of genetic and lifestyle factors. Lifestyle factors include diet, activity and perhaps interrupted sleep patterns (such as sleep apnea).

If I have metabolic syndrome, what health problems might develop?
Consistently high levels of insulin and glucose are linked to many harmful changes to the body, including:
Damage to the lining of coronary and other arteries, a key step toward the development of heart disease or stroke
Changes in the kidneys' ability to remove salt, leading to high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke
An increase in triglyceride levels, resulting in an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease
An increased risk of blood clot formation, which can block arteries and cause heart attacks and strokes
A slowing of insulin production, which can signal the start of type 2 diabetes, a disease that can increase your risk for a heart attack or stroke and may damage your eyes, nerves or kidneys

Guttersen, Connie . "Obesity - The Metabolic Syndrome." California Olive. 13 Jun 2007 . http://www.calolive.org/nutritionists/findings/findings_2004q1.html

NGO

I would like to introduce 3 NGO groups. IUNS, CFA, and CSPI.

IUNS stands for International Union of Nutrition and Health.

promote advancement in nutrition science, research and development through international cooperation at the global level.

to encourage communication and collaboration among nutrition scientists as well as to disseminate information in nutritional sciences through modern communication technology.

CFA stands for Consumer Federation of America.

CFA institute is an international, non-for-profit organization with a mission to lead the investment profession investment profession globally by setting the highest standards of ethics, education, and professional excellence.

Institute is comprised of more than 91,000 individual voting members and 134 member societies across the globe. With members in 134 countries around the world, CFA Institute has headquarters in Charlottesville, Virginia, USA, and offices in Hong Kong, London, and New York. CFA Institute is a 501 organizations incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia. This year, CFA is 60th anniversary.

CSPI is stands for Center for Science in the Public Interest.

Since 1971, the SCPI has been a strong advocate for nutrition and health, food safety, alcohol policy, and sound science. Its award-winning newsletter, Nutrition Action Healthletter, with some 900,000 subscribers in the United States and Canada, is the largest-circulation health newsletter in North America. As one of the nation’s top consumer advocates, CSPI will keep fighting for government policies and corporate practices that promote healthy diets, prevent deceptive marketing practices, and ensure that science is used to promote the public welfare.

"Home." Interational Union for Nutritional Science. IUNS. 6 Jun 2007 . http://www.iuns.org/.

"About Us." CFA Institute. CFA. 6 Jun 2007 .
CSPI. 6 Jun 2007 .

http://www.consumerfed.org/

"About CSPI." Center for Science in the Public Interest. CSPI. 6 Jun 2007.

http://www.cspinet.org/about/index.html.

Types of Obesity

Apple and Pear are terms to describe the shape of a person's body with regard to where they store fat. Pears tend to store fat below their waists, usually on their hips and thighs. Apples store fat above their waists, around the mid-section.

Apple Type: The shoulders, face, arms, neck, chest and upper portion of the abdomen (stomach) are bloated. The stomach gives a stiff appearance. So also the arms, shoulders and breast. The back seems to be straight but the neck is compressed and there will be protruding chest because of the bulk in the stomach. The lower portion of the body the hips, thighs and legs are thinner beyond proportion in comparison with the upper part. In these persons the vital organs affected will be mostly the heart, liver, kidneys and lungs. Though this typed of obesity is found more in males it is common in females too. Those females, who are under hormone treatment for their menstrual abnormalities or after childbirth, have the risk to become this type of obesity. It occurs in females around menopause too due to thyroid gland's functional disturbance. In this type, the excess flesh is less likely to reduce especially in female than males.This type of obesity is a major risk for heart damage and heart disease due to high cholesterol.

Pear Type: In this type the lower part of the body has the extra flesh. This type of obesity is also common to both sexes though females are more affected. The flesh is somewhat flabby in the abdomen, thighs, buttocks and legs. The face and neck mostly give a normal appearance. In some persons, the cheeks may be drawn too. As these persons grow old the whole figure assumes a stooping posture and the spine is never erect due to the heavy hips and thighs. This vital organs affected mostly are the kidneys, uterus, intestines, bladder and bowls. But the functions of these organs some times have a direct effect on the heart. In this type of obesity, exercises or dieting will not help appreciably in reducing weight. Herbal medicine is the only hope. One should have more patience and undertake proper treatment to achieve the coal of reducing weight and preventing further weight again.

The third type: Besides apple and pear type, there is one more type of obesity. Some persons neither belong to apple or to pear category. Their whole body from head to toe looks like a barrel. Their gait is more to rolling rather than walking. The fat tissues in their body hinder the movement of all the internal organs and consequently affect their brisk functioning. For them any exercise is difficult due to the enormous size of the body. So such person should follow a strict in diet and do plenty of exercise. But herbal medicines and treatment will help successfully in reducing weight.


Weight gain in the area of and above the waist (apple type) is more dangerous than weight gained around the hips and flank area (pear type). Fat cells in the upper body have different qualities than those found in hips and thighs.

"Body Shape: Pears vs. Apples." Total Health. IVILLAGE .
＜http://diet.ivillage.com/measure/mshape/0,,51,00.html＞4 Jun 2007 .