Obesity and You
By Cheryl L. Branche, M. D.
Belzoni, Mississippi
Obesity, a large health problem affecting thousands of Americans, can be a source of embarrassment, low self-esteem, and deteriorating health. Obesity refers to an excess of body fat and can be diagnosed when the subscapular skinfold thickness is greater than 19 mm in males or greater than twenty-five millimeters in females. Most often people use the term 'obese' to describe a fat person or a person who is over-weight.
In the United States, obesity is related to socioeconomic status, age, and race. Women who are in the lower socioeconomic classes are six time more likely to be obese than those in the upper classes. A woman is more likely to gain weight as she ages. According to a recent study, African-American women will find it more difficult to lose weight.
Obesity is caused by a decreased ability of the body to metabolize food, that is convert food to energy. It is not so surprising, then that when one consumes large volumes of nutritious food or even large volumes of food high in calories and low in nutrients ( ghetto hunger), one can become obese.
Obesity is caused by a decreased ability of the body to metabolize food, that is convert food to energy. It is not so surprising, then that when one consumes large volumes of nutritious food or even large volumes of food high in calories and low in nutrients ( ghetto hunger), one can become obese.
Once becoming obese, losing weight can be difficult, but here are some steps that may help you.
1. Eat three nutritious meals a day.
2. Drink ten to twelve glasses of water a day.
3. Exercise. A brisk twenty minute walk three times a week will do wonders.
4. Do not forget to take some time to learn about your health.
Read, attend lectures, and talk with your doctor.
Your health is important.
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