Obesity and Weight ControlObesity and Weight Control

Senior Health-Bauberger

Why you eat…Why you eat…

• We eat for several reasons:– Meet nutritional needs, satisfy appetite,

supply body with energy

• Hunger– A feeling of physical discomfort that is caused

by the body’s need for nutrients

• Appetite– A desire for food that is based on emotional

factors rather than nutritional need

Nutritional needs…Nutritional needs…

• Basal Metabolic Rate:– The rate at which you use energy when your

body is at rest– The higher your BMR, the more calories you

burn– Younger people and people with more muscle

mass tend to have higher BMR– The more active you are, the more calories

you need

What foods you choose…What foods you choose…

• Many factors affect what foods you choose:– Personal preferences– Cultural background– Time and convenience– Friends– The media

WeightWeight

• Weight is determined by many factors:– Heredity

• Natural tendency towards a certain weight

– Level of activity• The more active you are, the more calories you

burn

– Body composition• A measure of how much body fat you have as

compared to muscle and bone (also affected by gender and age…)

WeightWeight• In 1965, 4.6% of teens were overweight

• In 1980, 5.0% of teens were overweight

• Today, 16.1% of teens are overweight

• The number of calories consumed per day by the average person has increased from about 2,950 to about 3,450 in the last 50 years.

Overweight vs ObesityOverweight vs Obesity

• Overweight:– A person who is heavier than the standard for

the person’s height

• Obesity:– A person with a BMI of 30 or higher (body

mass index)

• These terms are NOT interchangeable

A Growing EpidemicA Growing Epidemic

• More calories are being consumed today because:– Grocery stores offer more choices including

prepared foods– More meals are eaten outside the home– Portion sizes have increased

• Less calories are being burned because:– People in general are less active– People rely more on technology (cars,

computers, etc)

Obesity StatsObesity Stats

• Between 1962 and the year 2000, the number of obese Americans grew from 13% to an alarming 31% of the population.

• 63% of Americans are overweight with a Body Mass Index (BMI) in excess of 25.0.

• 31% are obese with a BMI in excess of 30.0.• Childhood obesity in the United States has more

than tripled in the past two decades.• According to the U.S. Surgeon General report

obesity is responsible for 300,000 deaths every year.

Health RisksHealth Risks

• Overweight people develop health problems:– High Blood Pressure– High Cholesterol– Type 2 Diabetes (excess glucose in the

blood)– Heart Disease– Stroke– Cancers

PreventionPrevention

• It is easier to prevent weight gain than it is to take off excess pounds

• Healthy eating and regular exercise can avoid it altogether

• Changing habits at a younger age can be easier than as an adult

UnderweightUnderweight

• Underweight:– A person who is lighter than the standard for

their height

• Health Risks:– Being underweight can lead to anemia, heart

irregularities, and trouble regulating body temperature

Weight ManagementWeight Management

• Should involve avoiding dangerous diet plans, choosing nutritionally balanced meals and snacks, and getting regular exercise

• Weight loss requires planning and patience– Recognize eating patterns– Plan strategies over time– Exercise

Maintaining Healthy WeightMaintaining Healthy Weight

• Avoid snacks right before mealtimes

• Do not skip meals, especially breakfast

• Use portion control

• Eat food slowly and not while reading or watching tv

• Recognize WHY you are eating

Weight ManagementWeight Management

• To gain weight:– Take in more calories than you burn daily

• To lose weight:– Take in less calories than you burn daily

• To maintain weight:– Take in the same amount of calories you burn

Maintaining weight>

Gaining weight>

Losing weight>

Calories out

Calories in

Calories in

Calories in

Calories out

Calories out