Starting in 2009 the state of Alabama is going to be charging people who are overweight (based on their BMI) as much as $25 more for health insurance if they do not lose weight within 1 year.

Now let me play devil’s advocate here. Will this motivate people to get in shape? Maybe. In the very least it is drawing attention to the issue of obesity and health concerns. I also applaud the decision to implement weight loss programs or discounts for gyms. Another step they could take is educating people on proper nutrition and fitness. Providing nutritionally balanced meals and getting rid of snack machines or pop machines could also be beneficial.

On the flip-side, what about the rights of the people that this new rule may concern? I don’t know about you but I feel I have the right to keep my weight to myself… it is a very private matter to me. Also, we can raise the question; “if this were concerning anything other than obesity would this be treated the same way?”

All of a sudden telling someone “I’m sorry but you have developed asthma/cancer/heart disease and if you cant get rid of that in a year we are going to charge you more” seems a little foot in mouth.

In the end all we can do is hope that this does help inspire some people to begin a healthier lifestyle, is it the right way to encourage this? That remains to be seen.

Here is a link to the full article:

http://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20080825/alabama-obesity-penalty-stirs-debate

Rian

Being overweight and trying to lose the weight is not simple, it takes time and motivation. Think of all the yo-yo diets that you go through, the weight loss gadgets that you try like the Ab Doer or the Bun and Thigh Roller, or even maybe the weight loss pills that you pop like candy hoping for a miracle. Many people are left depressed praying for a miracle and they turn to weight loss surgery like the gastric band. After the procedure patients often say, “They wish they had done it sooner in their life and bypassed all the diets and gadgets they had tried in their past.”

So why not skip all these diets and get the procedure when you are a teenager? This is a very touchy subject with a lot of debate surrounding it. Some people believe teenagers should wait until they are mature enough to make this decision for themselves. However, say this was your child and for years you saw them struggling with their weight and it kept creeping up, with no success. What would you do?

Recently on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” a show re-aired once again featuring 2 teenagers who had the gastric band procedure. One of these was a 13 year old girl named Cassie who was one of the youngest patients to undergo the gastric banding procedure in the U.S.A. At 220 pounds with attempts at dieting and even consulting with a nutritionist, Cassie kept gaining weight. Her mother Jennifer said, “Every month, [she gained] between 5 to 8 pounds. … We don’t know where the weight was coming [from],” she says. “My biggest fear was mentally, Cassie would crash. She’d become depressed, she’d eat because of the depression, she’d stop sports, she’d stop being who she was.” After Jennifer learned that Cassie was being teased at school she decided to learn more about the procedure. Since being banded, Cassie has lost almost 80 pounds and has learned new eating habits, eating what she wants but in smaller portions.

A study done by physician-scientists from Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital of New York-Presbyterian and Columbia University Medical Center, just released preliminary results, reporting that the small group of extremely obese teenagers who were banded, as part of a clinical trial lost on average 20 pounds after 6 months and, “had significant improvements in abdominal fat, triglyceride measurements (levels of fat in the blood) and blood sugar levels as measured by hemoglobin A1c — all risk factors for diabetes and heart disease.”

What do you think? Is it okay for teenagers to get the procedure? Post your comments here!

To learn more about Cassie’s story, please visit: http://www.oprah.com/slideshow/oprahshow/slideshow1_ss_slide_weight_020408tows/1

And to learn more about the medical study from Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital of New York-Presbyterian and Columbia University Medical Center, please visit:

http://www.news-medical.net/?id=39350

 Hanna

Nowadays, we can pile on the calories -and the pounds- without eating a thing. It’s easier than ever these days thanks to an abundance of sodas, sugar-laden coffees, alcoholic beverages and cocktails, deceiving “energy” drinks, and an array of flavoured iced cappuccinos.

We’ve pretty much all been guilty (I know I have) of occasionally allowing ourselves “just a few” spoonfuls of ice cream straight from the tub, only to peer down into the container and see that three quarters of the thing is gone.

Then there’s the movie theatre. We have been conditioned to feel the ‘need’ for popcorn and soda the second we enter a cinema. I find what works best for me if I am watching my weight is to avoid the snacks altogether, and focus on enjoying the movie itself. If I am thirsty, I’ll have a bottle of water or some kind of unsweetened iced tea. Chances are, if I’m avoiding the salty snacks, I don’t really feel the need to drink anything anyway. And besides, who wants to miss scenes of a good movie for bathroom breaks?

Forget those calorie packed iced drinks. Those things are completely filled with syrups intended to provide flavour, which are really just hiking up the calories and spiking your blood sugar. A regular coffee -iced- with a bit of skim milk and a pinch of sugar (I try to avoid sweeteners) - can provide the same caffeine fix without all the added junk. You can even blend it to make it into your own low-calorie iced cap. I am totally aware that this won’t taste the same as the commercial stuff, but if you are looking to lose some weight it could be a satisfying substitute for the time being. Tell yourself that those drinks will always be there in the future, that they aren’t going anywhere. You need to focus on your health and weight right now.

Now let’s bash energy drinks. If you are planning on losing weight, these are not your friend. They’re poison for your body and will only stall your progress. I am always so frustrated when I see those energy drinks sold right up front in the convenience stores. The horrifying truth about energy drinks is that they flood your system with ludicrous amounts of caffeine and sugar, pumping you up for a couple of hours, and then leaving your system completely out of whack. It’s like putting your blood sugar on the Drop Zone ride at an amusement park. Not to be a Debbie-Downer, but there have been instances of heart complications, and even failure, after consuming these drinks. Not to mention they can become toxic when mixed with alcohol. For truly sustainable energy, choose fresh fruit or some kind of protein.

Hitting the bars too often? Those ‘wasted’ nights could be accumulating on your waist. It’s so easy to consume excess calories during a night out at the bar or club. One shot of pure tequila, vodka, or rum will range from 90 to 100 calories each. Mixed drinks can reach a caloric total of over 400, what a nightmare!!

Last, but certainly not least, we have the trendy “healthy” commercial fruit smoothies. These smoothies may contain real fruit, but let me tell you, they are milkshakes in disguise. I took a look at the nutritional values listed on a menu at one of the smoothie shops. They can total up to 500 calories a container! They’re also packed with excess sugars and proteins. They’re advertised as healthy additions to your diet, but they may in fact be sabotaging your efforts. A healthier option is to blend whole fruits with ice in a blender, and if you would like some protein you can add a scoop of whey powder or yogurt. This ensures you are not drinking any processed foods or consuming excess calories.

 These are only a few examples of how calories sneakily creep up on us in liquid form. Keep your eyes open when reading labels, checking calorie AND sugar content, as both are equally important. Don’t freak out over it, just remember to choose wisely. As the age-old adage reminds us: “If you’re going to drink the juice, just eat the fruit instead.”

Leanna

Could it be that the one thing I have trouble saying no to could possibly be good for me?

The perception that we have of chocolate is that it is candy and it is sweetened with a lot of sugar. The reason is due largely to the processing and marketing of commercial chocolate as candy. The majority of these products offer poor quality cacao with a high sugar content, added fats, caffeine, waxes and fillers. Not sounding so healthy anymore!

So how can it be good for us? Cocoa is rich with antioxidants that are found in a variety of different foods, usually in plants and fruits that are rich in colour, such as berries, fruits and nuts. Antioxidants have a strong health-supporting property for reducing the risks of heart disease, obesity, certain cancers and diabetes.

Now when faced with the urge to eat chocolate, opt for the dark chocolate to get your fix of antioxidants. This is the solution to my guilt-free pleasure and I just had to pass on the good news. But always remember, too much of a good thing is never wise, so make this your special little treat.

Want to learn more, visit:

http://mydrchocolate.soundconcepts.com/

Hanna

Can’t get those cravings off your mind? We all know those delicious naughty things we should avoid but just can’t resist and it’s hard to imagine life without them, there’s always that one thing we just can’t say “no” to! So of course I like to find little ways around this problem by trying alternate options that taste almost as good, if not better than those real waistline deal-breakers!

Ice Cream Lovers?

Buy your favourite yogurt cup flavour and stick it in the freezer once it has hardened dig in! I recommend the Strawberry Cheesecake by Yoplait. You can also stick a banana in the freezer and once it is frozen slice it and add vanilla yogurt on top (I’m sure any other flavour will be just as good).

Po-tay-toe Po-tah-toto?

Instead of baked or mashed potatoes and those terrible and yet amazing fries try using sweet potatoes, a much better option! For sweet potato fries don’t deep fry but bake them in the oven instead. Mashed turnips are quite delicious too.

Sour Cream Heaven?

An Excellent replacement is Balkan Yogurt. Astro’s brand tastes the most like sour cream to me. I use it on my baked sweet potatoes or as a dip with some chives mixed in.

Saying Cheese?

A cheese made with partial skim milk (low/reduced fat cheese) is a better choice and grating your cheese helps you eat less. Swiss and Feta tend to be better choices or try having some bocaccini with your salad to satiate that craving. Goat and sheep’s cheese are also cheesy goodness and have less fat than cow’s cheese!

Bake me away?

Here’s how to make a healthier “Apple Pie”. Take an apple, cut a cross in the top of it and stick it in the oven set at 350° for 30-40 mins (I use Granny Smith apples) once it is brown and mushy it is done. Let the apple cool for a few minutes then cover with vanilla yogurt and sprinkle with rolled oats and cinnamon.

Chocoholic?

Try placating this need by eating chocolate flavoured yogurt or skim-milk pudding cups. Or buy dark chocolate (at least 70% cacao), break off a square and let it melt on your tongue slowly.

Carb-tastic?

This is my ultimate weakness, I love my carbs, and I especially loooove my chips, crackers and breads. Unfortunately these tend to be the most difficult to find healthy alternatives for. I’ve started snacking on olives to get that salty kick, I stick to flaxseed, pumpernickel and wheat-free rye breads and my best discovery of all… Kale chips!

Pre-heat your oven to 350° and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Toss the kale leaves with vinegar, oil, and salt and bake 10-15 minutes.

Voila! My little cheat tips to healthier cravings, I hope you enjoy.

Rian

It has often been suggested that men don’t need to work as hard as women do to lose weight. If it wasn’t bad enough to wonder why men seem to lose inches and pounds more quickly, it’s almost worse to have it confirmed!

Leslie Beck has written an article that has caused a stir between the sexes again. The Toronto-based dietitian has explained in an article printed today in the Globe and Mail, why it is that men really do lose weight more efficiently on average than women.

The sad truth is that the key points she makes about a man’s general approach to body image, working out and eating are not crazy or unfounded.

It’s hard to convince some women that:

a) their worth is not equal to their weight;

b) building muscle mass will not make them look masculine;

c) we need to be at a healthy weight for our long term health more than for beauty or vanity.

Health IS beautiful!

Take the time to read this article and let us know your thoughts! THE FULL ARTICLE

I find that sometimes when I plan to do something I often get off track and end up in a totally different direction. Life always seems to send many different twists and turns my way and I seem to easily lose focus of what I aimed to do, sometimes a bit to easily if you ask me.

So after checking out many different websites of how I can become more organized, I realized it’s not about being organized but it’s about staying motivated. No matter how organized you are, life will still throw you a curve ball and expect you to work with it. So here are the 3 easy steps I have taken to help me follow through with my goals:

1. I list my specific goal(s). I don’t know about you, but when I say list, I mean actually write it down somewhere that you are going to see and will be reminded of it hopefully on a daily basis. I don’t recommend just thinking of it, because well, I am still trying to remember goals I set in the past that have not had any follow through because I forgot about them. I now post mine on the refrigerator, so post it where you think will best fit your lifestyle. Some suggestions are on the calendar, in your planner, or maybe on your computer desktop.

2. Remember to set realistic goals and realistic timelines. Don’t make it too short of a period that you will be regretting it in a few days and don’t set a long period that you can keep telling yourself, “Oh I will start tomorrow.” Remember, each day counts and you are no expected to see the same results each day. So if your goal is to cut out junk food, take each day as it comes, at first you will eat more and gradually decrease the amount you are eating.

3. I think the most important of all is to have a motivational reward. But remember, if you choose to cut out a bad habit or indulgence, your reward can’t be that same vice. Choose something that you have wanted to do for awhile like go on a shopping spree, go to the spa, go to a sports game or buying that new gadget that you have been eyeing for awhile.

Oh and one more step that I forgot to mention is, STAYING POSITIVE!!!!!

Hanna

Is it possible to lose weight by just keeping a food diary? Sounds too good to be true, however according to a study done by Kaiser Permanente’s Center for Health Research, keeping a food diary can help you double your weight loss.

How you ask? By keeping a record of what you are eating, it helps you take responsibility and identify your food choices. You have a clear view of what, when and why you are eating. It allows you to learn about your eating habits and the amount of calories you are consuming.

According to the study, “Those who kept daily food records lost twice as much weight as those who kept no records. It seems that the simple act of writing down what you eat encourages people to consume fewer calories.” After six months of following a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, low-fat or non-fat dairy, moderately exercising and the encouragement of a support group, the average weight loss was approximately 13 pounds.

Now doesn’t that get you motivated to pick up a piece of paper and jot down what you ate? Remember not to omit any information and do it right after eating; don’t depend on your memory. Most importantly, stay POSITIVE!

You can find more information about this study in the following article:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080708080738.htm

Check out this link for ideas on how to keep a food journal:

http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/healthy/food/general-nutrition/299.html

Weight. More specifically being thin is closely associated with beauty, looking good and individual self esteem. All too often, our perception of beauty is derived from a collection of the hundreds of thousands of images each one of us sees over our lifetime.

These images, put in our face and at our fingertips by the media as well as the fashion and beauty industry, are not always images depicting overall health and wellness. What is more troubling are the mixed messages all of us receive from the media and our celebrity obsessed popular culture. It has left me wondering are North American’s thin, or are we obese?

According to the World Health Organization obesity has become more prevalent than ever before in North America. In fact the rate of obesity has grown so rapidly that experts have begun to describe this trend as an epidemic. Given the numerous serious health consequences associated with obesity, this terminology is not completely misplaced.

^{The chart above shows statistics found on the World Health Organization website. Each metric is the rate of obesity in the respective country for people aged 30+ with a BMI equal to or greater than 30.}

Achieving overall wellness including a healthy body weight is a tug of every person faces over the course of a life time. Are we supposed to be as thin as the models we see everywhere from bus shelters, magazines and billboards? Or are we supposed to buy the burgers, fries and milkshakes advertised every second commercial on TV?

Recently a shift has taken place in the focus of some marketers. One such example is Dove with their Campaign for Real Beauty, which featured a number of television commercials illustrating the unhealthy images and beauty ideals the industry has been spoon feeding children and adults on a daily basis. The kicker…“No wonder our concept of beauty is distorted”. It is no wonder and personally, thinking about it…makes me want some chocolate!

Thankfully for people everywhere one voice of reason may help to encourage others! What people should be focused on is being healthy instead of thin. Given the 10 most common health side effects of obesity and their severity, a shift from ‘vanity insanity’ in favour of healthy living are sure to help us all avoid the following potentially fatal repercussions.

Diabetes

Diabetes is a disease that affects the body’s ability to produce or use the hormone insulin correctly. There are two different types of Diabetes known as type 1 and type 2. Over 90% of all diabetes cases are type 2 which is strongly linked to obesity and physical inactivity. If left untreated high blood sugar levels and diabetes can cause heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney failure, leg and foot amputations and complications during pregnancy. ¹

Currently there are 17 million American’s livings with diabetes and another 6 million are unaware that they have the disease. Carrying extra body weight and body fat are directly related to the development of type 2 diabetes, as almost 90% of people with type 2 diabetes are overweight.² Research studies have found that lifestyle changes and even small amounts of weight loss (5-10%) can prevent and even delay the development of type 2 diabetes in high risk adults. Managing your weight is the best thing you can do to prevent the development of diabetes.³

Stroke

Stroke is a type of cardiovascular disease; it affects the arteries leading to and within the brain. There are 2 types of stroke one in which a blood vessel within the brain clogs (approximately 83% of all cases)⁴ and the other occurs when a blood vessel ruptures (approximately 17% of all cases). Stroke can be caused by a number of factors including high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, physical inactivity and obesity.

In 2002 researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston determined for certain that obesity is a measurable risk factor for stroke in men. The study which lasted 12 years involved 21, 414 physicians who had their BMI recorded. In all 747 strokes were recorded. Researchers were able to determine using this information those men with a BMI equal to or greater than 30 increase their risk of stroke 6% with each unit increase of BMI (approximately 7.4 pounds for a 6 foot tall male).⁵

Another great way to assess your risk for stroke is by using waist circumference. Taking a measurement of your waist circumference is a strong way to predict your risk for both heart and stroke. For women the recommended waist measurement is no larger than 35 inches or 32 inches for people of Chinese or South Asian descent. For men the recommended waist measurement is no larger than 40 inches or 35 inches for people of Chinese or South Asian descent.⁶

Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis

Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid arthritis are debilitating conditions that can, depending on the severity, severely cripple people, causing pain and detracting from overall quality of life. Rheumatoid and Osteoarthritis are the most common joint disorders with symptoms in the hands, knees, hips, back and neck. Being overweight increases the weight placed on joints such as the knee, ultimately hastening the breakdown of cartilage. Overweight women have nearly four times the risk of developing osteoarthritis of the knee, and overweight men have a five time greater risk of developing OA.⁷

Sleep Apnea

Sleep Apnea is defined as the cessation of breathing during sleep for at least 10 seconds. The most common form of Sleep Apnea is called obstructive Sleep Apnea. It is a potentially life threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention.⁸

Sleep Apnea has a strong association with several diseases but is particularly related to the heart and circulatory system. Obesity is the cause of Sleep Apnea in some cases due to the deposition of fatty cells in throat tissue narrowing the airway.⁹

Gallbladder Disease

The gallbladder is part of a special system that has evolved to help the human body digest fat. The gallbladder holds bile and bile is essential to the emulsification of fat. The most common disorder of the gallbladder is gallstones. Gallstones occur frequently in developed countries and may be associated with eating a diet high in fat and refined carbohydrates.¹⁰

Obesity and being overweight are both significant risk factors for gallstones. In such cases the liver over produces cholesterol, which is delivered into the bile causing it to become supersaturated. Diets high in saturated fats and refined sugars are the primary culprit. Weight cycling (rapid weight loss and rapid weight gain) can further increase cholesterol production in the liver causing gallstones to form.¹¹

Birth Defects

Pre-Pregnancy BMI has a strong association with certain birth defects. An American study conducted out of the University of Texas, involving 10,249 women found that women who are obese prior to pregnancy are at a higher risk of having a baby with certain birth defects, including missing limbs, malformed hearts and underdeveloped spinal cords.¹²

Obese women have higher rates of premature birth, are more likely to develop gestational diabetes and high blood pressure.¹³ The U.S. study found that there were 7 birth defects that were more common among obese mothers, they include:

• Spina Bifida: or the incomplete development of the brain and spinal cord.
• Heart defects: May include malformation of valves or leaks.
• Anorectal Atresia: A malformation of the anal opening.
• Hypospadias: abnormally placed urethral opening in males.
• Limb reduction defects: May include small or missing toes, fingers, arms or legs.
• Diaphragmatic Hernia: An opening in the diaphragm that allows abdominal organs to move into the chest cavity (may also result in underdeveloped lungs).
• Omphalocele: When the intestines or other abdominal organs protrude through that navel.¹⁴

Infertility

Being overweight or obese can lead to infertility. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is one such condition that is strongly associated with obesity. Women with PCOS have ovaries that produce high levels of male hormones, particularly testosterone. Women with PCOS tend to have absent periods and have an increased rate of type 2 diabetes and blood sugar abnormalities.¹⁵ All of which decrease the likelihood of conception and a healthy full term pregnancy.

An imbalanced level of male hormones inside a women’s body results in low levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) being produced. Without FSH stimulating egg production the follicles in the ovaries swell with fluid and form cysts, this process with repeat itself every time an egg become trapped. This can cause severe complications sometimes causing the ovary to swell to the size of a grapefruit.¹⁶

Lower Back Pain
People who carry an increased amount of weight especially around the belly tend to report lower back pain more frequently than people of normal weight. In fact a recent report found that obese people who underwent gastric bypass surgery reported 44% less lower back pain, six months after undergoing surgery.¹⁷

The study completed at the University of Southern California was presented at the American Association of Neurological Surgeons meeting. The average amount of weight loss for each patient was 85 pounds.

Depression

Obesity has been associated with a significant increase in lifetime diagnosis of major depression, particularly in women. According to a study that involved 9,125 obese respondents one 1:21 respondent had been diagnosed with major depression, 1:47 people had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and 1:27 people had been diagnosed with a panic disorder or agoraphobia.¹⁸

The risk for developing depression due to obesity seems to be more prevalent among white, college graduates. Therefore, obesity is associated with a 25% increase in the odds of developing a mood or anxiety disorder. This correlation between the higher risk factor for depression among obese, white, educated people is believed to be attached with the stigma of obesity, illustrating that obesity is less socially acceptable within different socio-cultural groups.¹⁹

Gastric Reflux or GERD

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is a digestive malady that affects the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). GERD can cause injury to the esophagus due to chronic exposure to stomach acid. When GERD occurs the muscle connecting the esophagus with the stomach the LES, allows food to pass back up into the esophagus.²⁰

One of the most common causes of GERD in both men and women is obesity. Both obesity and GERD are highly prevalent diseases in Western societies. A 2003 Scandinavian study, one of the largest of its kind found that people who are overweight or obese may be up to six times more likely to suffer from GERD than a normal weight counterpart. The same study indicated that the higher the BMI of the patient the worse the reflux symptoms.²¹

Obesity and even being just being a little overweight is without a doubt, one of foremost causes of many preventable conditions and illnesses. While being underweight has its share of problems associated with it as well, it is about time people stop looking at weight through a lens of vanity and start associating weight with overall health. After all a healthy body has no specific shape or size, just an owner who cares for it.

_______________________________________________

1. The Obesity Society. 2008. Your Weight and Diabetes. http://www.obesity.org/information/diabetes_obesity.asp (accessed June 3, 2008)
2. The World Health Organization. 2008. Obesity and Overweight. http://www.who.int/dietphysicalactivity/publications/facts/obesity/en/ (accessed June 3, 2008)
3. The Obesity Society. 2008. Your Weight and Diabetes. http://www.obesity.org/information/diabetes_obesity.asp (accessed June 3, 2008)
4. American Heart Association. 2008. What is Stroke? http://www.strokeassociation.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3030066 (accessed June 3, 2008)
5. Harvard Gazette. 2002. Stroke risk form obesity is now measureable. http://www.hno.harvard.edu/gazette/2002/12.12/12-stroke.html (accessed June 4, 2008)
6. Heart & Stroke Foundation. 2008. Healthy Waists. http://www.heartandstroke.com/site/c.ikIQLcMWJtE/b.3876195/ (accessed June 4, 2008)
7. The Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center. 2008. Obesity Is a Risk Factor for Osteoarthritis. http://www.hopkins-arthritis.org/patient-corner/disease-management/osteoandweight.html#joint (accessed June 4, 2008)
8. American Sleep Apnea Association. 1999. Sleep Apnea Information and Resources. http://www.stanford.edu/~dement/apnea.html#asaa (accessed June 3, 2008)
9. University of Maryland Medical Centre. 2008. Sleep Apnea: Risk Factors. http://www.umm.edu/patiented/articles/what_causes_sleep_apnea_000065_3.htm (accessed June 4, 2008)
10. The University of Pennsylvania. 2008. Gall Bladder Disease. http://www.uphs.upenn.edu/surgery/clin/gi/gallblad.html (accessed June 3, 2008)
11. University of Maryland Medical Center. 2008. Gallstones and gallbladder disease. http://www.umm.edu/patiented/articles/who_gets_gallstones_gallbladder_disease_000010_4.htm (accessed June 3, 2008)
12. Gardner, Amanda. 2007. Maternal Obesity Heightens Risk of Birth Defects. http://www.healthfinder.gov/news/newsstory.asp?docid=607109 (accessed June 4, 2008)
13. 2002. Obesity link to birth defects. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/1836423.stm (accessed June 4,2008)
14. Gardner, Amanda. 2007. Maternal Obesity Heightens Risk of Birth Defects. http://www.healthfinder.gov/news/newsstory.asp?docid=607109 (accessed June 4, 2008)
15. University of Maryland Medical Center. 2008. Infertility in Women. http://www.umm.edu/patiented/articles/what_causes_female_infertility_000022_4.htm (accessed June 3, 2008)
16. University of Maryland Medical Center. 2008. Infertility in Women. http://www.umm.edu/patiented/articles/what_causes_female_infertility_000022_4.htm (accessed June 3, 2008)
17. 2008. Gastric Bypass May Also Relieve Low Back Pain. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/28/AR2008042801221.html (accessed June 3, 2008)
18. Simon, Gregory, MD. 2006. Association between Obesity and Psychiatric Disorders in the US Adult Population. http://archpsyc.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/63/7/824 (accessed June 4, 2008)
19. Simon, Greg. 2006. Group Health study reveals significant link between obesity and depression. http://www.centerforhealthstudies.org/newsroom/newsrel/2006/060703.html (accessed June 4, 2008)
20. Janeway, Julie. 2008. GERD and the Obese Patient. http://www.obesityaction.org/resources/oacnews/oacnews6/obesityrelateddiseases.php (accessed June 4, 2008)
21. Janeway, Julie. 2008. GERD and the Obese Patient. http://www.obesityaction.org/resources/oacnews/oacnews6/obesityrelateddiseases.php (accessed June 4, 2008)

Serotonin the brain chemical that is strongly linked to happiness and appetite is believed to play a large role in fat gain. Findings published in the journal Cell Metabolism indicate that serotonin may also instruct the body to bypass fat and “may be the reason diets fail” according to Kaveh Asharif a metabolism expert from the University of California.

The study also indicates that serotonin may help the body decide whether to burn off excess calories or store them as fat. Serotonin is a nerve signalling hormone found in most antidepressants and is also released during exercise. According to Asharif an increased level of serotonin has long been known to result in a reduction of fat.

The study manipulated the serotonin level of roundworms who share about a 50% genetic similarity to humans. The research concluded that serotonin levels affected the worm’s appetite but it also affected fat accumulation. If the worms detected a food shortage their metabolisms made a shift towards fat storage.

Perhaps explaining why in some instances people who eat a healthy diet and participate in regular physical exercise, may be of a different weight than others who lead a similar lifestyle. However, there are natural ways to increase the level of serotonin in your body.

Weather through exercise or protein rich foods (both of which are very good for you) serotonin levels can be altered naturally. In fact exercise is becoming more commonly prescribed as a treatment for depression. This could also explain why many people who suffer from depression are also overweight or obese; although it is hard to say for certain which condition precedes the other.

Source:

Fox, Maggie. “Mood hormone may affect fat, U.S study finds.” Reuters Health and Science, accesses June 3, 2008.