Last updated 8 days ago
When the energy that we consume through food and drink outweighs the energy we burn through physical activity, it results in excess body weight and eventually obesity. There are many reasons why this imbalance of energy occurs, from simple lifestyle choices to more complicated genetics.
Diet
Overeating, poor dietary choices and the abundance of nutritionally inadequate, high calorie foods have meant that people are taking in more calories than their bodies need. Busy lives and societal factors also mean that we are using fewer fresh, low calorie ingredients in our meals.
Modern Sedentary Lifestyles
Technological developments, particularly those that occurred late last century, have sparked a worldwide shift toward less physically demanding work and lifestyles. It is now estimated that 60 per cent of the world’s population doesn’t get enough physical exercise, spending more time doing activities that involve little movement such as watching television, playing computer games and travelling in cars. People are also playing less organised sport and other physical activities such as walking or cycling to school.
Genetics
The genes that control appetite and metabolism can predispose some people to obesity more than others. Obesity is a major feature in several syndromes, such as Prader-WIlli syndrome, Bardet-Biedl syndrome and Cohen syndrome.
Mental and Physical Illness
Certain physical and mental illnesses and the medications used to treat them can increase a person’s risk of obesity. The rare genetic syndromes listed above as well as some developed conditions like hypothyroidism, binge eating disorder and Cushing’s syndrome can all result in a person gaining excess weight.
There are many reasons people gain weight and become obese. If you are struggling with obesity and would like to lose weight, or for a range of weight loss surgery options in Sydney, contact Life Weightloss Centre on 02 8999 8503.
Last updated 9 days ago
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Last updated 16 days ago
Satiety refers to the feeling of being full or the gratification you experience after eating a meal. When the body is satisfied, the brain recognises this and determines that there is no need to eat any more. This natural hormonal response is affected by a number of factors.
Energy density of food and portion size
Feeling satisfied and being on a diet can sometimes seem like a contradiction in terms. Recent studies show, however, that consuming foods with a lower energy density (fewer calories per gram of food) will help you to feel full while consuming fewer calories for weight loss.
Nutrients
Your body needs certain vitamins and minerals at specific times of the day and in particular doses for it to function correctly. If you are hungry and consume food that is lacking in the right nutrients, hormonal messages of satisfaction or fullness won’t be registered by the brain. As a consequence, within a short time you will feel hungry despite the fact that you have recently eaten.
Hydration
Being hydrated is also important and helps increase the feeling of being satisfied. Being adequately hydrated involves consuming water and other liquids between meals and as often as possible throughout the day. Water helps the body to feel full and can lessen hunger pangs.
Surgery
Gastric banding, gastric sleeve and gastric bypass surgery all have an impact on satiety. They do this by reducing the size of the stomach, meaning that you will feel full after consuming much less food than normal.
If you would like to know more about how weight loss surgery can help you to lose weight, contact Life Weightloss Centre in Sydney on 02 8999 8503.
Last updated 23 days ago
With the growing obesity epidemic in Australia, now more than ever it is important to be educated about which foods are safest for our children. Unfortunately, it is a sad fact that many Australian schoolchildren begin their day without a proper breakfast only to consume a lunch full of sugar and preservatives. This will almost always lead to obesity as well as other health problems such as diabetes, eating disorders and respiratory problems.
Take a look at this video by nutritionist Amanda Mengazza and dietician Glenys Kerns, who explain just what kinds of foods we can use to create a healthy and delicious lunch for our children.
Explaining the different food groups and their importance, Amanda and Glenys demonstrate how to put together delicious alternatives to the standard play lunch.
Although carbohydrates are essential for energy, the form that they come in is all-important. Avoid refined carbohydrates such as potato chips and sugar, and replace them with fresh fruits and vegetables. Add some protein in the form of chicken, ham or eggs, and finish it off with some milk or water instead of juice and soft drinks.
Encouraging good eating habits in your children will do more than provide them with the nutrition they need. With weight control and healthy living, your children also have a better chance of developing better social and emotional health.
For weight loss advice, or more information on weight loss surgery options in Sydney, contact Life Weightloss Centre on 02 8999 8503 and speak with a consultant.
Last updated 1 month ago
For many people, the struggle with obesity begins in childhood. This is a serious concern because obese and overweight children have a greatly increase chance of becoming obese adults, which significantly increases the risk of suffering severe health problems such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and cancer. In some cases, the problem can only be remedied with weight loss surgery.
According to the 2007 Australian National Children’s Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey (commissioned by the Department of Health), an alarming 23% of children between the ages of 2 and 16 were overweight or obese according to international BMI standards. And this number continues to rise. However, the good news is that by implementing a few lifestyle changes, these trends can be reversed.
Educating ourselves and our children about the kinds of foods to avoid as well as encouraging regular physical activity can help to avoid more serious weight loss measures – such as gastric banding – later in life. Here are some tips to reduce the chances of obesity in both children and adults:
Diet
It’s unfortunate that many foods that are readily available in the supermarket contain high levels of preservatives, which can lead to addictive eating habits. Many of the snack foods included in children’s lunches such as potato chips and biscuits include additives, which only make your child hungry again within a very short time. Where possible, shop around the outside aisles of your supermarket, ensuring as much fresh produce as possible to include in your family’s diet. Fresh fruit and vegetables are a much healthier snack and although many children resist these foods, with some encouragement they can be influenced.
Activity
Encouraging your child to play sport or become involved in a physical activity will ensure both their physical health and social wellbeing. You can also get involved in developing your child’s motor skills by simply going outside with them and throwing around a ball or playing a game of cricket.
Emotional development
Many people form an emotional attachment to certain foods based on early childhood experiences. Ensuring your child is comforted and rewarded with emotional support and positive reinforcement, rather than food, will help avoid behavioural patterns that may become detrimental later in life.
Weight gain involves a variety of causes and, equally, weight loss requires a variety of lifestyle changes. For more information on the dangers of childhood obesity, as well as weight loss surgery options in Sydney, contact Life Weightloss Centre on 02 8999 8503 and speak with a consultant.
