Frequently Asked Questions
| Q: |
What makes people obese? |
| A: |
Obesity is normally caused by a combination of overeating and a lack of exercise.
If you eat more kilojoules than you burn off during normally daily activity, the surplus kj's are stored as fat.
By eating less food that your body needs, stored fat gets used up and you lose weight.
If your diet contains high kilojoules food such as biscuits, cakes and pies, which are packed with fat and sugar, even small portions can provide your body with more energy than it needs.
And this is likely to result in weight gain -- especially if you have a low level of physical activity.
Many obese people blame their weight on a slow metabolism, a hormone imbalance or on an inherited tendency to put on weight easily.
If food has become something other than a source of energy or pleasure, you might need to talk things over with your doctor.
The only sensible way to lose weight is to combine a nutritious low fat diet with some form of regular physical activity. |
| Q: |
Why is being overweight a problem? |
| A: |
A strong heart, circulation and a healthy network of blood vessels and effective lungs are required to push the blood through hundreds of obstacles to reach every cell. The major obstacle to blood circulation is body fat.
Excessive body weight is a major cause of stroke, heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and cancer.
Excess weight increases blood sugar, lowers metabolism, disturbs sleeping patterns and causes stress and fatigue.
By losing weight you are not only preventing all major health problems mentioned above -- you are also getting self confidence, self realization, and psychologically strong.
You feel good about yourself. Your self-image goes sky high.
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| Q: |
Why is obesity one of the top ten causes of avoidable disease and death, worldwide? |
| A: |
NZ has an increasing weight problem. 55% of NZ men and 49% of women are overweight.
Dieting alone to lose weight is 98% ineffective. The only sure way to lose weight and stay permanently slim is by permanent changes to our lifestyle.
Obesity is the most common nutritional disorder in the Western world and is a prevalent in Australia and NZ as elsewhere.
Middle aged adult height has remained constant during the eight years between national nutritional surveys 1989 - 1997, but the average weight of middle aged men increased by 3kg to 85kg (Maori 87kg, Pacific Islands 95kg), and women by 4kg to 73kg (Maori 75kg, Pacific Islanders 85kg).
Obesity can have devastating consequences for health and happiness. On an emotional level it can to a lack of self-esteem and depression because you cannot enjoy a normal, active life.
Physical symptoms may include shortness of breath, aching legs and swollen ankles. The excess weight may damage joints, causing osteoarthritis, particularly of the knees and hips.
Seriously overweight people have an above -- average chance of developing high blood pressure, diabetes, gallbladder problems and gout.
Obesity has also been linked to arteriosclerosis, heart disorders and certain types of cancer. |
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