Obesity: Four-Step Approach

Panel says food industry norms, Americans’ habits must change

 

With the release of the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, Nanci Hellmich of USA Today and many RD blogger Colleagues report that obesity is “the single greatest threat to public health in this century,” which an expert panel also declared in the report Tuesday that urges Americans to slash calories and increase their physical activity. Yet, I feel compelled to add that as far back as I can remember, at least 30 years, but who’s counting, we’ve been stating this!  Habits and behaviors must change; please listen to us Dietitians’.

An advisory committee for the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans calls on people to cut back on added sugars and solid fats (butter, marbled meats) and to follow a more nutrient-rich, plant-based diet.

The report is based upon the latest scientific evidence and was prepared by a 13-member panel of national nutrition and health experts.  The public has 30 days to comment at www.dietary guidelines.gov.

The final 2010 guidelines will be released later this year by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Department of Health and Human Services.  About two-thirds of adults and one-third of children in the United States are overweight or obese.  The advisory committee highlighted 4 major steps:

• Reduce excess weight and obesity by cutting calories intake and increasing physical activity.
• Shift to a more plant-based diet that emphasizes vegetables, dry beans and peas, fruits, while grains, nuts and seeds.  Increase intake of seafood and fat-free and low-fat milk and milk products, and consume only moderate amounts of lean meats, poultry and eggs.
• Significantly reduce intake of foods containing added sugars and solid fats, which contribute about 35% of the calories in the American diet.  Cut sodium intake to 1,500 milligrams a day and lower intake of refined grains.
• Meet the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans.  Those recommend that adults get at least 21/2 hours of moderate-intensity physical activity each week, such as brisk walking, or 11/4 hours of a vigorous activity, such as jogging or swimming laps, or a combination.  Children and teens should do an hour or more of moderate to vigorous physical activity each day.

This report also calls for changing the environment in the following manner:

• Improve nutrition literacy and cooking skills, and motivate people to prepare healthy foods at home.
• Improve the availability of affordable fresh produce through greater access to grocery stores, produce trucks and farmers’ markets
• Encourage restaurants and the food industry to offer health-promoting foods and smaller portions

To Your Good Health,

Thank you for reading

Anthony

Wanna Be: 1,000 lb. Woman

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Obesity: Red Flag for Employers

  Perhaps you’re working extra hard these days to hang onto your job, or, if you’re looking for work, you’re using every avenue you know to find a job.  In either situation, better check out your waist-line if you’re serious about having a job in the future.  That’s because if you’re carrying too much weight – enough to be considered overweight or obese – then this is a concern to employers.  studies have shown that not only do overweight workers have higher absenteeism and health care costs, but they are less productive.  Such statistics become even more important as companies are keeping only key performers and are scrutinizing ways to trim health care costs.

In addition, several courts have recently ruled that employers also must pay for weight-loss surgery for overweight employees who need operations for work-related injuries.  The courts have stated that the weight-loss procedures are needed to guarantee the successful repair of the initial injury.

For job seekers, the nearly 10 percent unemployment rate means that they may need to be even more proactive in trimming the waistline.  A Wayne State university study found last year that over weight workers are viewed negatively, and nowhere is that more evident than in the hiring process, especially if they’re applying for a job with face-to-face interactions. 

It appears employers think they are doing what they feel they need to do, but how do you feel about this as well?

Source: Gannett

The View and Paula Deen: Awkward Appearance

Here’s a few questions for you:

• How do you feel about what is seen in this video? 
• Is finger-licking ever appropriate?
• What does role model mean to you?

When cookbook author Paula Deen appeared on "The View" on ABC Tuesday, host Barbara Walters lashed out at her for pushing fattening food for children. Deen, a zaftig, Georgia restaurant owner, was on the program to plug her book, "Paula Deen's Cookbook for the Lunchbox Set." "This is a cookbook for kids. Obesity is the No. 1 problem for kids today. Everything you have here is enormously fattening," scolded Walters as she sat by the famous chef.

"This is a cookbook for kids. Obesity is the No. 1 problem for kids today. Everything you have here is enormously fattening"  ~Barbara Walters

Source: Paula-Deen.Love.com/You Tube Video