Reasons Why So Many People Are Overweight

Obesity has become a huge problem for most people living in
developed countries. Today, 30% of children between the ages of
10 and 17 are obese and 60% of all adults are either overweight
or obese. There are many reasons for our overweight problem.

Obesity is responsible for increased rates of stroke, heart
attack, type II diabetes, and even some forms of cancer. In
fact it is responsible for as many premature deaths as smoking.
Obesity has now become a threat to our longevity.

On the surface it would seem that the underlying reason is
really quite simple. If a person takes in more calories than
the person burns, weight gain is the final outcome. These
factors certainly play a role in obesity but there are more
factors which contribute to this problem.

Modern society has changed a great deal from just a couple of
generations ago when agriculture and manual labor were common
place. Today people spend a great deal of the day sitting at a
desk in an office, driving the car, or relaxing on the sofa at
home. All of which has affected the overall health of people
living in developed countries.

By the time a person arrives home, the last thing most are
thinking about is going for a walk or heading off to the gym.
Combine that with the idea that as a nation we eat just as much
food, if not more than our ancestors did without nearly as much
physical exertion and suddenly the recipe for obesity becomes
very clear.

But there is more to it. Statistics show that we have actually
doubled our food intake. This is where the fast food industry
is to blame. Everything has been super sized and not in a good
way either with most of these foods being high in trans fatty
acids (the bad fat) and sugar, it is easy to see that weight
gain is inevitable.

But the fast food industry cannot take all the credit. Our
schooling system has allowed vending machines to offer children
fast food and soft drinks with provides no nutritional value and
empty calories. School cafeterias that serve food are hardly a
step above fast food. Add to that, most parents nowadays don't
have time to cook traditional wholesome foods due their hectic
work schedule and as a result buy convenience foods which are
also high in fat and sugar and low in nutrition.

As well both children and adults are now more sedentary than
any other time in history. PE is no longer mandatory in
schools; recess time has almost disappeared, after school play
time has been replaced with the Xbox or Gameboy. Now instead of
the entire body getting a workout only the thumbs do.

Most adults are too busy or too tired to add an exercise regime
to their day and even something as simple as a walk can seem
demanding. The result is people do not have time to burn off
all those excess calories that they are consuming through the
day.

Statistics show that if adults in the home are overweight then
chances are that their children will also be overweight.
Statistics have shown that when adults in the home are not
physically active children in the home will not be active
either. Studies have confirmed that both good and bad eating
habits are developed in the home. It is a combination of what
adults allow their children to eat and what they serve their
children which is contributing to our overweight crisis.

The reasons for our overweight problem are complex. Increasing
physical activity and improving nutrition are great ways to
start to work towards a solution to this predicament.

About The Author:
http://www.methodsofhealing.com/Weight_Loss_Thyroid.html

Recipes For Diabetics

Do you need some help in cooking appropriate, healthy meals
with regards to your diabetic condition? There are a plethora
of delicious meals that can be made to revolve around the
dietary needs of a diabetic. Your goal should be to make meals
that contain fruits, starches, and vegetables, while
restricting the use of simple sugars to a minimum. Healthy
eating is of vital importance to a diabetic. Regulating blood
sugar levels and maintaining your ideal weight are two key
health factors. Additionally, consuming healthy foods lowers
your risk of heart disease, a condition that often plagues
those with iabetes.

When cooking, there are some simple steps you can take to
ensure that your meals be both delicious and nutritious.

* Whole grain cereals and breads are an excellent source of
carbohydrates, as they contain a host of nutrients. Eat them as
frequently as possible.

* When purchasing chicken or turkey, choose skinless varieties
or remove the skin prior to cooking.

* When purchasing meat, you should buy the more lean cuts.
Sirloin steaks typically have a very low fat content and are
recommended for those with diabetes.

* Fish and vegetables are commonly served with butter. Instead,
try using a slice of lemon or lime to season your meal.

* Broiling, roasting, or stir-frying your meats is ideal as
these methods help to keep the meal healthy.

* Instead of vegetable oil, use canola or olive oil as a
healthy alternative.

* Cereal should be consumed with skim or 1 percent milk. This
helps to lower your fat intake without requiring a major
dietary change.

* In recipes that call for oil, butter, or shortening, using a
vegetable oil spray can be a great alternative.

These are just a few of the basic guidelines on which you
should base recipes for diabetics. If you are searching for
specific diabetes-friendly recipes, the internet can be a
wealth of information. On the website, http://www.diabetes.org,
you will find a Recipe of the Day, as well as a categorized
listing of available recipes, ranging from appetizers to
desserts.

With a wide range of recipes, you should not feel limited by
your dining options. If you are suffering from diabetes,
consulting a dietitian can be a great first step in
establishing an adequate diabetic diet. Nutritionists can also
help in this regard. If you need to find someone who can
educate you about healthy eating for diabetes, you can contact
the American Association of Diabetes Educators, which you can
find at the http://www.aadenet.org. This site features an
interactive search engine that lets you enter exactly what type
of diabetes educator you are looking for, as well as the state
or Zip Code in which you live. It will then pinpoint available
dietitians, nurses, doctors, and other health care
professionals that are available to help you to make informed
decisions regarding your diabetes. If you are unable to access
the web, you can call them at 1-800-338-3633.

About The Author: Barbara Jones contributes to several online
magazines, including http://info-healthy.com and
http://healthy-line.com

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Lose Weight With Green Tea

Now the same soothing beverage that warms your heart can also
help burn off excess calories.

If you enjoy starting your day with a cup of green tea, you'll
be happy to know that it can help to remove some of the extra
pounds that have accumulated over the years. According to the
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, green tea extract can
increase your metabolism rate by 4%. So while you're sipping
your tea, you're also burning fat.

The study attributes this fat-burning quality of green tea to
high concentrations of catechin polyphenols. These chemicals
intensify fat oxidation and thermogenesis, the rate at which
your body burns calories.

The catechins in green tea also help to decrease fat absorption
and regulate glucose by inhibiting the movement of glucose into
fat cells. The tea also helps to slow the increase in blood
sugar after meals, preventing high insulin spikes and
subsequent fat storage.

Green tea can affect your appetite, thus further assisting in
your weight loss regime. Studies conducted at the University
of Chicago showed that test rats consumed up to 60 percent less
food after seven days of daily green tea injections. This
decreased appetite may be due to green tea's effect on blood
sugar regulation.

Green tea can be a beneficial option to coffee. By switching
to green tea, you will lower your calorie intake while keeping
your daily caffeine pick-me-up. People with high blood
pressure, heart trouble or stimulant sensitivities should use
caution when drinking green tea. In these cases, a better
alternative might be to take green tea extract, usually made
from decaffeinated green tea. Green tea extract offers the
weight loss benefits without the high caffeine. Women who are
pregnant or nursing should also consult their doctors before
switching to green tea.

Green tea works best as a weight loss aid when it is consumed
in the right amounts. It is suggested that the optimal intake
is three to five cups of green tea per day. This amount will
help you burn an extra 70 calories per day, amounting to 7
pounds per year. If three to five cups are too much for you,
consider green tea extract, green tea pills or a green tea
patch.

Remember, there is no magical formula for weight loss. While
green tea can be an effective part of your diet plan, remember
that healthy, low fat meals, and an active lifestyle are still
your best options for losing weight.

About The Author: Linda Davis contributes to several web sites,
including http://tocip.com and http://yetra.com

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