Carol Forsloff - According
to the National Center for Health Statistics, more than 2/3 of all
adult Americans is overweight with childhood obesity increasing rapidly.
to the National Center for Health Statistics, more than 2/3 of all
adult Americans is overweight with childhood obesity increasing rapidly.
More
than 64% of the US adult population is overweight (Body Mass Index
>25 and <30 kg/m²); and roughly 31% of American adults meet the
criterion for obesity (BMI > 30 kg/m²) - that totals about 59 million
American adults. Adult obesity has increased from 12.8% in 1976-1980
to 22.5% in 1988-1994 and 30% in 1999-2000.
>25 and <30 kg/m²); and roughly 31% of American adults meet the
criterion for obesity (BMI > 30 kg/m²) - that totals about 59 million
American adults. Adult obesity has increased from 12.8% in 1976-1980
to 22.5% in 1988-1994 and 30% in 1999-2000.
Childhood
obesity leads to many health problems both for children and adults. It
increases the risks for certain diseases. This is one of the reasons
physiologists have recently accented obesity research and learned more
about the consequences of a too fat population.
obesity leads to many health problems both for children and adults. It
increases the risks for certain diseases. This is one of the reasons
physiologists have recently accented obesity research and learned more
about the consequences of a too fat population.
The American Physiological Society, on its website, offers a compilation of recent research
that examines what happens as a result of obesity from the pren-natal
period to death.
that examines what happens as a result of obesity from the pren-natal
period to death.
The
following are the highlights of this research, the details of which can
be read at the links provided. Research indicates that early
intervention, even when the child is in the womb, can impact what
happens later on in childhood and adulthood. Much of that intervention
has to do with what the mother eats and does during pregnancy.
following are the highlights of this research, the details of which can
be read at the links provided. Research indicates that early
intervention, even when the child is in the womb, can impact what
happens later on in childhood and adulthood. Much of that intervention
has to do with what the mother eats and does during pregnancy.
Prenatal
This
very first stage of existence can mark the beginning of a lifetime of
weight related problems. Recent research shows that there are multliple
factors that influence predisposition to obesity, including:
very first stage of existence can mark the beginning of a lifetime of
weight related problems. Recent research shows that there are multliple
factors that influence predisposition to obesity, including:
Exposure to certain hormones in the womb
- In rat studies, all exposed subjects had offspring that developed increased body weight
Mother’s health and habits
- Maternal
diet – Mothers who ate a diet high in protein and low in saturated fats
improved triglyceride levels and lipid profile of their offspring.
(Press release: “High protein, low-carb diet during pregnancy improved triglycerides, fat metabolism in offspring”)
The
new research takes the front in the American Physiological Society's
research because the organization believes that obesity accounts for
numerous diseases and has found that the earlier the intervention, the
more likely the numbers, and the future, can be changed.
