Health Problems With Obesity

Make the Grade

Friday, October 2, 2009 by Tina Carmichael

WebMD the Magazine featured in its September issue a segment called “Ask the School Nurse.” There were four sections under "Make the Grade – Get Kids Off to a Healthy Start This School Year," with these tips for good nutrition, reduced stress, regular exercise and healthy habits. I have put them below:

Lunchbox Lessons

Primary colors. Load up their lunchboxes with a colorful mix of fruits and vegetables to keep them energized and ready to learn. Apples, pears, berries, dried fruit, baby carrots, cauliflower and edamame are easy to pack – and fun to eat.

Fluid motion. Drinking plenty of fluids helps active children stay hydrated. But not all drinks are created equal. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, kids who drink one can of soda a day increase their obesity risk by 60 percent. Offer water and limit soft drinks (some can pack 150 calories per 12-ounce can).

The whole truth. Whole grains are an important part of a health diet for kids. Offer whole-grain, low-sugar cereals at breakfast and low-sodium whole-grain snack bars or crackers in their lunch box. Try making sandwiches with whole-grain bread (look for “100 percent whole wheat” to get the most grains).

Dairy queen. Strengthen their bones and brains with non- or low-fat dairy foods, including yogurt and flavored milk (choose products with no more than 30 grams of sugar.)

Do you have any tips to share?

News article: Fighting obesity can't be done sitting down

Thursday, October 1, 2009 by Terri Hohlt

I saw this editorial in the Pensacola News Journal and thought it was full of excellent information. The first few paragraphs are below and full text can be found by clicking on the link.

Obesity causes all sorts of health-related problems ranging from high-blood pressure to diabetes to heart disease. New research now shows that being fat is quickly becoming the second-leading cause of cancer behind smoking.
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The news is especially bad for women in Western countries in coming years as the obesity epidemic continues to put them at higher risk. Colorectal cancer, breast cancer in menopausal women and endometrial cancer accounted for 65 percent of all cancers linked to being fat.

Scientists still aren't sure why being fat boosts cancer risks, but suspect it is connected to hormones. As people become fatter, they produce more hormones like estrogen that help tumors grow. People with big bellies also have more acid in their stomachs, which can lead to stomach, intestinal or esophageal cancer.

Did you know?

Wednesday, September 30, 2009 by Andy Pollen

Bariatric surgery is recognized as the most effective and durable method for persons who are morbidly obese to lose their excess weight and keep it off for many years. It is NOT a quick fix. It is NOT taking the "easy way out."

The benefits of bariatric surgery are numerous:

Longer Life – Studies show that gastric bypass surgery can improve your life expectancy by as much as 89%.

Reduced Health Problems – Severe obesity is associated with at least 50 diseases, including diabetes, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, fatty liver, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, gout and various skeletal and joint problems. Bariatric surgery has been proven extremely successful in eliminating or dramatically reducing most of these health problems. For example, 80% of non-insulin dependent diabetics are cured as a result of gastric bypass. Sleep apnea patients enjoy uninterrupted sleep within a year of surgery, and half of the patients with high blood pressure come of their medications within a few months of surgery.

Psychological Benefits – Bariatric surgery can also help reduce the stress and anxiety associated with obesity. With a new self-image, issues like depression and fear of social situations can be overcome. A new desire and ability to interact with family and friends is also a common benefit following bariatric treatment.

Want to learn more about how Indiana weight loss surgery can help you? Then join us at a FREE informational seminar where Indianapolis bariatric surgeons and staff will discuss treatment options. Learn more by clicking here.

Eating breakfast can save you eating more calories later in the day

Friday, September 25, 2009 by Tina Carmichael

WebMD the Magazine reported in the September issue an interesting study result from The Endocrine Society at its 2009 annual meeting.

“You’ve heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but did you know it’s also the most important meal of your diet? A new study shows that skipping the first meal tricks your brain into thinking you want higher-calorie foods later in the day."

Researchers used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to look at how feeding behaviors affected the brain’s reward center. They studied 20 healthy, non-obese people who skipped breakfast before an fMRI. While showing them pictures of high calorie foods, such as pizza, and pictures of low-calorie foods, such as salad, the participants’ reward center became more active when they say the high-calorie foods. When people in the study did eat breakfast, their brains’ reward center did not show and greater activity when looking at photos of the pizza.

Just some food for thought!

Grab N Go snack ideas from Obesity Help, Part II

Friday, September 25, 2009 by Traci Baker

Just continuing my list from Tuesday with more grab n' go snack items. Thanks to Obesity Help for these great ideas!

Jerky
Jerky is available in many proteins: beef, turkey, ham and salmon to name a few. Jerky is a snack that you can put in your purse, briefcase or desk and can be readily available without any preparation. Jerky can be home-made to cut down on the sodium. Jerky is made in various flavors such as bar-b-que, jalapeno, teriyaki and peppered.
Nutrition Bite: 1 ounce of beef jerky is 116 calories

Yogurt
There are many flavor and brand choices of low-calorie and fat-free yogurts. Yogurt is a nutritional food with unique health benefits. It is nutritionally rich in protein, calcium, riboflavin, vitamin B6, vitamin B12 and contains healthy bacteria to aid in digestion.
Nutrition Bite: 1 container of Greek yogurt is 120 calories

Packaged & Deli Sliced Meats
Portable snacks now include protein options. Manufacturers have responded to the public’s appreciation of protein as a snack by packaging flavored tuna and chicken in pouches and serving size cans. You can also get packages of luncheon meat that are thinly deli sliced that are equal in nutrition to other snacks.
Nutrition Bite: Smoked and deli-sliced turkey is 114 calories

Dried Snacks
Individual sized bags filled with your favorite cereals, granolas, protein chips, cracker sandwiches (with cheese or peanut butter) are a quick grab. You can also purchase high-protein snacks from many vendors that sell healthy snacks friendly to weight loss surgery pre and post-ops.
Nutrition Bite: 1 rye cracker sandwich with cheese filling is 34 calories

Nuts
Nuts, specifically almonds and walnuts, are a nutritious and energy packed snack. Nuts add protein to your dietary intake and are a low glycemic index food. Nuts are frequently recommended as a snack for insulin resistance problems associated with type 2 diabetes.
Nutrition Bite: 1 ounce of whole almonds is 163 calories

Sugar Free, Fat Free Gelatin and Pudding
A favorite snack of long-term post-ops and early post-ops alike are sugar- free, fat-free gelatins and puddings. Smooth and creamy can be soothing and filling to a irritable pouch. For a boost of protein, sprinkle unflavored protein powder over the top. Sugar free, fat free gelatin and puddings can also satisfy the most persistent sweet tooth.
Nutrition Bite: ½ cup portion of sugar free gelatin is 8.6 calories, 3.5 ounces of vanilla fat-free pudding is 88 calories

Grab ‘n go snacks are fast and easy. Just as you have a bag ready when you go to the hospital, pack your grab ‘n go items the night before or even as little as a couple of hours before you leave so they are ready to go when you are.

If you plan ahead, you’ll be ready to grab ‘n go regardless of your schedule. When you are prepared with healthy food choices, it results in staying on track with your weight loss surgery success.

News article: New Research Shows Direct Link Between Soda and Obesity

Thursday, September 24, 2009 by Andy Pollen

If you have been a loyal visitor to this blog, then you are aware that our excellent dietiticans are often advocating ditching soda pop. Here is just one of the many reasons why:

While health officials have long suspected the link between obesity and soda
consumption, research released today provides the first scientific evidence of
the potent role soda and other sugar-sweetened beverages play in fueling
California`s expanding girth.

In their landmark study: Bubbling Over: Soda Consumption and Its Link to Obesity
in California, researchers from the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research
(CHPR) and the California Center for Public Health Advocacy (CCPHA) discovered a
strong correlation between soda consumption and weight. Based upon data from
more than 40,000 interviews conducted by the California Health Interview Surveys
(CHIS), researchers found that adults who drink a soda or more per day are 27
percent more likely to be overweight than those who do not drink sodas,
regardless of income or ethnicity.

If you want to learn more about the study, please click here for a Reuters article.

See you at seminar?

Thursday, September 24, 2009 by Terri Hohlt

If you have been considering learning more about bariatric surgery centers in Indiana or the various forms of weight loss surgery - including gastric bypass and Lap Band - please consider joining us at a FREE information seminar tonight at Clarian Bariatrics.

You, and your support person, are invited to listen to Indiana Weight Loss Doctors talk about the many benefits of bariatric surgery and how you can break the cycle of obesity and reclaim your life!

Seminar begins at 6:30 p.m. at our Indianapolis clinic located at 6625 Network Way, Suite 100. Please call us toll free at 877-275-2555 for more information. You can also register by clicking on the image to the right of this post.

See you tonight!

Grab N Go snack ideas from Obesity Help, Part I

Tuesday, September 22, 2009 by Traci Baker

Our schedules are changing from summer’s sun and fun, to fall’s cool and going back to school. Most of us are a little busier and on the go in the fall, so it is important that we are prepared to grab a quick and healthy snack. Here are some ideas for healthy, grab ‘n go weight loss surgery friendly snacks:

Fruits
Dried, fresh or even travel sized containers of fruit in their own juices are a quick and healthy approach to getting in your daily fruit requirement. Berries, chunks of melon and other fruits in a baggy are easy to enjoy as you are on the go. Bananas provide their own container making them an easy take-along snack.
Nutrition Bite: 1 medium banana is 85.1 calories

Raw Vegetables
Vegetables are easy to take along and jam-packed with nutrients, providing a great source of fiber. For some variety, add a little dipping to the mix; try hummus, yogurt, light or fat-free salad dressing. Do your prep work ahead of time and have your veggies sitting in the refrigerator ready to go.
Nutrition Bite: 1 cup of green pepper slices is 18 calories

Protein Bars & Drinks
This is a great grab ’n go to help you get in your protein requirements. When selecting your protein bar - be mindful of the use of high-quality proteins, the sugar and fat grams in bars, and calorically if it is a snack or a meal replacement. For a protein drink, pack your protein powder and bring a bottle of water to mix for a refreshing, healthy snack.
Nutrition Bite: One serving of CLICK Espresso Protein Drink is 120 calories

Cheeses
Lowfat cheeses that are packaged for travel are a time saver! String cheese and soft cheese packaged in circular or triangle shaped single servings pack a punch of protein. Another option is to cube cheese the night before in preparation to take the next day. Enjoy these alone or combine with fresh veggies or fruit for a filling on the go snack.
Nutrition Bite: 1 Sargento Light String Cheese is 50 calories

Look for more ideas on Friday!

News article: Risk Of Prostate Cancer Recurrence For Both Blacks And Whites Increased By Obesity

Monday, September 21, 2009 by Andy Pollen

September is National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, so I thought it was a great time to share this news article discussing the links between obesity and prostate cancer. When detected early, prostate cancer is very curable. If you are a man over 40 have you had your yearly PSA? If not, visit ACallToChange.org to learn about FREE upcoming screenings in your area.

Below are a few paragraphs from the article. Please click the link to view full text.

A new look at a large database of prostate cancer patients shows that obesity plays no favorites when it comes to increasing the risk of recurrence after surgery: Being way overweight is equally bad for blacks and whites, say researchers at Duke University Medical Center.

Studies have shown that obesity is linked to generally worse outcomes in many cancers, including prostate cancer. Because blacks are more likely than whites to develop and die from prostate cancer - and because there is a higher prevalence of obesity among black men with prostate cancer, compared to whites - some studies have suggested that obesity might be a more ominous risk factor for blacks than whites.

What To Expect at Seminar

Saturday, September 19, 2009 by Terri Hohlt

Are you considering bariatric weight loss surgery, but are not sure what to expect at one of our FREE seminars? Below is just a brief overview of how the process works.

From their very first visit at Clarian Bariatrics, all patients receive extensive education about the health problems with obesity, the presumed causes of the epidemic rise in obesity in Indiana and the U.S., the medical, psychological, social and economic consequences of obesity, and the keys to maintained successful weight loss.

These educational sessions are conducted by Indianapolis weight loss surgeons, nurses, nutritionists, psychologists and other experts. The sessions are also attended by former patients who provide a personal perspective of their experience and describe the challenges they faced after weight loss. Attendees are also provided with a tour of the facility and are given numerous references for further research.

From there, individuals can decide whether or not the time is right for Indianapolis area bariatric surgery and will schedule a consultation. In future posts, I will discuss what happens after the initial consultation. In the meantime, if you have questions, please call us toll free at 877-275-2555.

Join Our Team!

Saturday, September 12, 2009 by Erin Light

Clarian Bariatrics' “Walk the Talk” is gearing up for another charity event! We have created a team for the three mile Walk from Obesity event this year. We would love all of you to join us, so we can continue to raise money and spread awareness about obesity.

Our last walk was very successful, and we even got a picture with the First Lady Cheri Daniels! I have set a goal for us to have at least 50 participants on our team for this one, and every patient that signs up with our team and participates will receive a Clarian Bariatrics “Walk the Talk” Team t-shirt. Feel free to bring your family and friends along and come join the fun!

When: Sunday, October 4 from 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. (Our team will meet at 2:30 p.m. for a picture and t-shirts.)
Where: Lawrence North High School, 7802 Hague Road, Indianapolis

What to Wear/Bring: Wear comfortable clothes, walking shoes, and bring your friends, family, and camera! Don’t forget your water, too.

How to Sign-Up: Visit our team Web site at this link. Just fill out the information to join! You can also download a copy of the registration form from the main Web site. Just make sure to include the Clarian Bariatrics team on the entry form! If you sign up by mailing in your registration form, please call Erin Light to let her know you’ve joined the team so she can keep you updated on the event.

How to Prepare: Keep up with your regular walks! You can also follow the training program on the site at this link.

For more information, please contact me at 317-275-7017 or by e-mail at elight@clarian.org.

News article: Children: Seeing a Family Benefit in Obesity Surgery

Saturday, September 12, 2009 by Terri Hohlt

A short read from the New York Times that I wanted to share with you all.

Children born to women who had bariatric surgery for obesity may face a lower risk of severe obesity themselves, a study suggests.

The study, of 111 children born to 49 mothers who had a type of weight-loss surgery called biliopancreatic diversion, found that babies born after the operation had lower birth weights than those born before, and their risk of becoming severely obese as children was one-third the risk of those born before. Only 11 percent of the children born after surgery were severely obese, compared with 35 percent of the others.

Children born after the operation also had better cholesterol levels and improved insulin sensitivity, indicating they might be less likely to develop heart disease and diabetes later in life, the researchers found.

Two notes of caution about the paper, to be published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism: The findings are based on observation of the children (the study was not randomized and controlled), and bariatric surgery can lead to complications like anemia, malnutrition, loss of bone density and, rarely, death.

An author of the paper, Dr. John Kral, a professor of surgery and medicine at SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, said the benefits to the children might be due to metabolic and hormonal changes in the wombs of women who have had the operation.

News article: Obese People Are At Greater Risk For Developing Alzheimer's

Friday, September 11, 2009 by Andy Pollen

This story is very personal as my grandmother has been battling this disease for the past two years. Although she was never obese during her lifetime, it shows that Alzheimer's is indiscriminate in whom it can affect. I simply want to share this article in the hopes that it can raise awareness of this horrible disease. The first few paragraphs are below, and the full text can be found here.

Obesity is on a rampage, with the World Health Organization pegging the numbers at more than 300 million worldwide, with a billion more overweight. With obesity comes the increased risk for cardiovascular disease, Type II diabetes, and hypertension.

Now comes more discouraging news. In the current online edition of the journal Human Brain Mapping, Paul Thompson, senior author and a UCLA professor of neurology, and lead author Cyrus A. Raji, a medical student at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, and colleagues compared the brains of people who were obese, overweight, and of normal weight, to see if they had differences in brain structure; that is, did their brains look equally healthy.

If you would like to learn more about Indiana weight loss surgery, causes of obesity and how bariatric surgery can change your life, please join us at a FREE informational seminar. Click on the image at the right of this post to learn more.

News article: Aging boomers, obesity make heart disease appear on rise

Monday, September 7, 2009 by Andy Pollen

This headline immediately popped out at me, because I have often wondered how our aging population will fully tax our health care system in the not-too-distant future (I know some will argue that we are already there). This was taken from the Denver Post and you can read the full post by clicking here.

Q: Why is heart disease still on the rise despite the incredible increase in the number of people taking cholesterol-lowering drugs and the more than 30 years of "low- fat propaganda"?

A: The situation you describe — the ever-growing number of people with heart disease despite major advances in cardiovascular medicine and a growing emphasis on prevention — sounds like a paradox. But it can be explained by several trends. These include the aging of the population and the linked epidemics of obesity and diabetes.

News article: Workplace Obesity Interventions Can Save Employee

Wednesday, September 2, 2009 by Andy Pollen

I thought this was an interesting study from the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. Do you agree with the report findings?

Businesses can save money by creating obesity intervention programs in the workplace. That's the finding of a new study from North Carolina-based RTI International as well as the Centers for Disease Control.

The savings are modest, about $90-a year per employee across all overweight or obese workers, or up to $160-a year for workers in the highest obesity range. The study suggests the return on investment is higher if workplace environmental changes are considered.

Researchers say behavioral interventions are usually considered successful if they lead to a five percent weight loss over a sustained period of time. Individuals who aren't overweight tend to take fewer sick days and medical costs to the employer are reduced.

Exercise Boosts Mood After Bariatric Surgery

Monday, August 31, 2009 by Erin Light

Below is text from a recent article I found on the American Diabetes Association Web site that I thought was interesting. Now there is scientific proof that exercise can make you happier!

People who engage in moderate physical activity in the months after bariatric surgery report fewer mental health issues than those who exercise less, according to research reported at the Annual Scientific Meeting of NAASO, The Obesity Society, held October 20–24 in Boston.

Kathryn E. Henderson, PhD, and colleagues at the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at Yale University in New Haven, Conn., conducted a study of 134 patients who underwent gastric bypass surgery. The patients—140 females and 14 males—were extremely obese, with an average body mass index (BMI) of 51.7.

The participants completed a battery of self-reported measures before surgery, and at 6 and 12 months after surgery. The evaluations sought detailed information about physical activity, depression, self-image, and a range of mental and physical health issues.

Responses were divided into three groups: No exercise, physical activity one to three times per week, and physical activity four or more times per week.

In general, patients with lower BMI tended to exercise more. While exercise levels rose overall postoperatively, <50% of participants reported moderate physical activity at 6 and 12 months.

According to the researchers, the most physically active group of patients reported the lowest psychosocial stress. Those who engaged in moderate physical activity at least four times per week reported superior physical and mental health, had fewer depressive symptoms, and reported higher self-esteem than nonexercisers.

Kidney Stones and Gastric Bypass Surgery

Saturday, August 29, 2009 by Jack Ditslear

Benefits of weight loss surgery are lower blood pressure, remission of diabetes, decreased risk of heart disease, lower blood cholesterol level, etc. as we all know, every benefit has a potential risk. A recent article in the Journal of Urology looked at the risk of kidney stones and gastric bypass surgery.

4,639 patients who underwent bypass surgery and 4,369 obese patients in a control group who didn’t have bariatric surgery were followed for four years. Of those, 4.6 percent of the control group developed kidney stones versus 7.7 percent of the bypass surgery group developed stones. This is a slight increase risk of developing kidney stones after bariatric weight loss surgery.

Prevention of kidney stones requires staying hydrated by drinking at least 64 ounces of fluid each day. This will prevent concentrating your urine which will decrease risk of kidney stones. If possible learn what type of kidney stones that you may be at risk of developing –calcium based kidney stone may require you to watch your intake of dairy products or if it is oxalate based may require you to limit your intake of dark green vegetables (spinach, kale,) and herbal teas. Consult with your primary care doctor if you suspect you are at risk of kidney stones.

Exercise Improves Outcome of Bariatric Surgery

Friday, August 28, 2009 by Erin Light

I found this great article/video on the Empowered Doctor Web site and wanted to share it with you all. Click on the link above to view the video, while I have shared text from the article below.

Patients who incorporated regular physical activity into their lives after bariatric surgery lost more weight and had better general health and vitality and less depression and anxiety than those who were inactive, a recent study shows.

"Bariatric surgery is quickly emerging as a standard treatment for severe obesity, although weight loss outcomes vary. These results suggest that patient behavior, particularly physical activity, may promote both enhanced weight loss and greater improvements in health-related quality of life following bariatric surgery," said lead author Dale Bond, of the Miriam Hospital's Centers for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine.

The study was performed on about 190 patients who underwent gastric bypass operations at Virginia Commonwealth University. They filled out a questionnaire to provide an assessment of their physical activity levels both before surgery and one year afterward.

To categorize which patients were "active," the researchers decided on a minimum of 200 minutes of weekly physical activity (which included walking, as well as sports or exercise of a moderate or vigorous intensity). Participants also completed questionnaires that measured aspects of their health-related quality of life, such as physical or emotional problems, bodily pain, general health, energy levels, social functioning and mental health.

Researchers noted that exercise boosted progress toward all of the goals of bariatric surgery. Those patients who went from almost no weekly activity to 200 minutes or more lost 13.2 pounds more than their inactive counterparts.

They also lowered their body-mass index by two units more and reduced their overall weight by 8 percent more than those who didn't increase their exercise levels. The active group also experienced more improvements in general health, vitality, depression and anxiety symptoms compared with those who stayed inactive.

News article: Using human nature instead of junk food taxes to fight obesity

Thursday, August 27, 2009 by Andy Pollen

An interesting article on the social sicence aspects of obesity from the Los Angeles Times. A few paragraphs are below and you can find the full text by clicking the link above.

A 2007 study from the U.S. Department of Agriculture offers some intriguing ideas. It looked for lessons from the field of behavioral economics, which seeks to explain how psychological and emotional factors can influence economic decisions, such as what kinds of food to buy.

For instance, it is well known that people have little self-control when deciding what to eat. Perhaps they are too hungry to think rationally. Or perhaps, staring straight at a tempting dessert case, the desire for instant gratification swamps the inconvenient truth that eating a slice of cake will have long-term consequences for the waistline.

To get around this, researchers suggest that diners pre-order their meals as much as possible. Kids could order their school lunches in advance each month, and shoppers could select their groceries online at set intervals, thus eliminating the temptation to make a fattening impulse purchase they could come to regret later.

News article: Obesity Costs U.S. Health System $147 Billion

Thursday, August 20, 2009 by Andy Pollen

Mind-blowing statistics in this article from the Obesity Action Coalition newsletter. Teaser below, with full text by following the link.

Obesity-related diseases account for nearly 10 percent of all medical spending in the United States or an estimated $147 billion a year, U.S. researchers said Monday.

They said obese people spend 40 percent more -- or $1,429 more per year -- in healthcare costs than people of normal weight.

"It is critical that we take effective steps to contain and reduce the enormous burden of obesity on our nation," Dr. Thomas Frieden, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, told a news conference at a CDC obesity meeting where the study was presented.

"Reversing obesity is not going to be done successfully with individual effort," Frieden said. "It will be done successfully as a society."

To view this article, click here.