Soya and Weight Control -- Ruchihealth.com

More recently, considerable attention has been given to the distribution of body fat. To that end, measuring the minimal circumference of the waist and the maximum circumference of the hips (waist to hip ratio, or WHR) helps define obesity in terms of the distribution of upper or lower body fat. In general, individuals whose excess body fat is carried in the upper body--the back of the neck, shoulder areas, and inner abdomen--appear to be at higher risk for cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, and some forms of cancer than individuals whose excess pounds are carried in the hips and buttocks. A few years ago, the risk of heart disease in women was described as greater for the "apple-shaped" woman than for the "pear-shaped" woman. At least as well as any medical terminology, these images describe the phenomenon of upper or lower body fat.

Through simple observation, most people can determine which form of fruit their body most resembles. However, if you want to be certain, simply measure your waist at its smallest point and measure your hips at their widest point. Then divide your waist measurement by your hip measurement. A result that is less than 0.75 means that you are pear shaped but a ratio greater than 0.80 puts you in the very apple shaped range.

Calculating percentages of body fat and distribution must always take into account the physiological differences between males and females. A healthy woman will have a larger percentage of body fat than a healthy man because that is the way she is designed. In fact, when a woman does not have adequate body fat, she may stop menstruating because her body may not be able to support a pregnancy. Dancers and athletes may stop having monthly periods during times of intense training; however, their menstrual cycles return to normal when physical training eases. This is not usually considered a medical problem. Cessation of menstruation is a serious event among young women and adolescent girls suffering from anorexia nervosa, a psychiatric disorder that requires medical intervention in order to preserve life. (Anorexia nervosa is a severe eating disorder, at least as serious as bulimia or compulsive overeating. Dietary recommendations alone are almost always insufficient; these disorders generally require psychological support and treatment in addition to changes in diet.)

The growing recognition of the implications of fat distribution may in the long run be advantageous in not only assessing risk of developing certain diseases, but also in designing exercise programs that target certain areas of the body for fat reduction. For example, in recent years greater numbers of women have engaged in weight training designed to build muscle tissue in the upper body. This activity not only increases strength but also reduces fat tissue.

How did obesity become so prevalent?

Regardless of how we define or measure ideal weight as well as fat to muscle percentages, questions about the reason for the widespread problem of overweight and obesity still remain. Put in its most simple terms we can correctly say that individuals who take in more calories than they require will gain weight; individuals who take in fewer calories than their bodies require will lose weight. Now, if all men were alike and all women were alike, we could look at one cause of weight gain or loss and design a single program from all would benefit. The causes of overweight and obesity are not that simple, however.

In general, the causes of obesity fall into categories. One category includes the genetic component. About 25 percent of all children are overweight, and they generally come from families in which the adults are overweight, too. There are dietary and behavioral components to this figure, of course, but certain individuals are genetically predisposed to develop obesity. However, being predisposed to a condition does not mean that one is doomed to develop it.

Without doubt, faulty eating patterns and habits contribute to weight gain. Fat- and sugar-laden foods are staple items in the pantries of many families, and few of us are immune from commercials encouraging us to reward ourselves with rich desserts and unending indulgence in snack food. There are hundreds of such items to satisfy every palate and budget. The advent of fast food has changed the way many adults and children eat and the tastes acquired in childhood are difficult to overcome as adults.

One of the reasons health professionals currently encourage--indeed demand--that patients exercise is that a sedentary lifestyle is now the norm in our society. Engaging in a physically demanding job is an exception in today's office environment. As recently as forty or fifty years ago walking was part of daily life, but today, a person who walks to work or to the store is considered an oddity, and many suburban and rural communities even lack sidewalks.

Individuals often overcome these societal trends with basically healthy attitudes toward food and a desire to exercise. However, for some individuals, normal appetite is distorted by emotional factors and a cycle of overeating dominates their lives. Cravings for certain foods are overwhelming and at times, the act of eating becomes a source of comfort for emotional distress. Most people associate food with comfort, so I am not making a moral judgment here. However, it is true that some obesity results from psychological difficulties and resolving to change one's diet is, by itself, often ineffective.

Some overweight and obesity results from endocrine disorders and abnormal metabolism. Weight gain is also a side effect of some medications, certain steroid medications and some antidepressants. Unexplained weight gain (and weight loss) should always be reported to your physician.

It is always important to be under the care of a physician when you undertake a weight-loss program, which usually includes starting an exercise program or increasing existing exercise habits. Seeking clearance from your physician is especially important if you have an underlying condition that could be aggravated by a change in diet or stepped-up physical activity. Many people begin to change their diet and start an exercise program in their forties or even their fifties, so to prevent injuries it is particularly important to see guidance.

Page 1 Page 3

^up