Medical Facts...and Fiction

The goal of this section is to define the problem, the epidemic of obesity in this country in adults and in children. Data in this section are designed for the health care professions as well as for the public, with relevant references. In this regard, we will not re-invent the wheel, but will access all useful sources already published...invoking the "Fair Use Doctrine" for this educational effort when actual citations are not given. Of course, with over 50 years of clinical experience represented among the professional complement of this family enterprise, in addition to the experience of guest contributors, we will often express our own insights and opinions.

GS

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Medical Research

May 6, 2007

The following findings have been reported recently in peer reviewed medical research. 
 
  • Obese children may develop heart failure as early as their early 20's.
  • Dieting without life style change leads to failure.  The recommended changes, all reasonable and pleasurable under the Mediterranean Diet approach, must be life-long and not for just a targeted weight reduction. 
  • The FDA does a poor job of managing the confusing labeling of foods.  So, read the sections describing nutrition facts...and not just the misleading box headlines. 
  • College binge drinking, rampant on college campuses beginning in freshman year, is a clear risk factor for heart disease, at progressively earlier ages.
  • Obese older adults tend, without oversight, to get heavier after they reach 70 years of age.  This is to be avoided, if they wish to avoid a miserable decade of the 80's.
  • We know the importance of adequate sleep.  But did you know that extra sleep for young children reduces obesity?  Recommendations for children 5-7 years of age are 10-11 hours of sleep per night.  For teenages, 91/4 hours per night.  And no, those are not typos.  Inadequate sleep leads directly to increasing weight and Body Mass Index. 
  • Overweight and obese couples have substantially increased problems with fertility and with conception. 
  • Another epidemic: inadequate Vitamin D levels in the general population.  This vitamin plays a crucial role, not only in bone metabolism, but also in muscular health.  In addition, adequate levels of Vitamin D (now defined at higher levels than previously), reduce the incidence of breast and colon cancer.  Blood levels should be checked beforehand.  But many persons will need supplementation approaching 2000IU/day, and not the 400IU/day previously recommended.   Check with your doctor on this. 
  • Obesity increases mortality from prostate cancer.

GS


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