Obesity
...ry to lose weight on their own or through commercial weight loss programs have binge eating disorder. This disorder is even more common in people who are severely obese. During a binge-eating episode, people eat large amounts of food and feel that they cannot control how much they are eating. Those with the most severe binge eating problems are also likely to have symptoms of depression and low self-esteem. These people may have more difficulty losing weight and keeping it off than people without binge eating problems. If you are upset by binge eating behavior and think you might have binge eating disorder, seek help from a health professional such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, or clinical social worker. Other causes of obesity Some illnesses can lead to obesity or a tendency to gain weight. These include hypothyroidism, Cushing's syndrome, depression, and certain neurological problems that can lead to overeating. Also, drugs such as steroids and some antidepressants may cause weight gain. A doctor can tell whether there are underlying medical conditions that are causing weight gain or making weight loss difficult. Facts and Figures More than 80% of Australians aged 15 years and over considered their health to be good, very good, or excellent according to results from the 2001 National Health Survey released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). Almost 90% assessed their health as being better or about the same as one year ago. Compared with 1989-90, Australian adults showed improved results against the risk factors of smoking and exercise, but levels of obesity and overweight continued to increase. Risky and high-risk alcohol use was unchanged. Some 30% of males and 38% of females assessed themselves as being overweight. However, when body mass index was calculated from reported height and weight, 58% of males and 42% of females were classified in the overweight or obese groups. For both males and females the proportions classified as overweight or obese were highest in the middle age groups, with 68% of males and 59% of females aged 55 to 64 years being overweight or obese. The proportion of adult males classified as overweight or obese increased from 46% in 1989-90 to 52% in 1995 to 58% in 2001. A higher proportionate increase was recorded for females, from 32% in 1989-90 to 37% in 1995 to 42% in 2001. The Prevention and Treatment of Obesity • The increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity is an important public health problem contributing to significant excess disease and mortality. • Even modest weight loss is associated with health benefits. • Progression of obesity in high-risk children may be prevented by family therapy. Prevention of obesity in adults may be achieved by community-based education programmes linked with financial incentives. • Interventions to reduce sedentary behaviour can reduce overweight in children. • Behavioural, diet, exercise and drug treatments have all been shown to be effective, to some extent, in treating obesity in adults, particularly when two or more approaches are used in combination. • Most people begin to regain weight a few months after treatment. Longer-term follow-up and use of maintenance interventions is necessary to sustain weight loss. • Surgery is the most effective and possibly cost-effective approach for reducing weight in people with severe obesity. “Campaign launched to curb obesity Tiffany Witte The Daily Illini “The number of obese children and adolescents has almost tripled during the past 20 years, according to the U.S. Surgeon General, and a local congressman has made it part of his campaign to curb this health problem. Matt Bisbee, press secretary for U.S. Rep. Tim Johnson, R-Sidney, said Johnson has been planning to increase obesity awareness through a campaign since the 2000 election. His program was called "Campaign for a Healthy America," but has been narrowed down to battling obesity. Bisbee said Johnson has met several other congressmen in the House of Representatives who are concerned with health and fitness issues, and together the...