| |
|
Headlines:
|
 |
Back to Nutrition Center
Obesity, hazards and complications
|
|
|
|
Excess weight is an independent risk factor for coronary disease, in
addition to its contribution to the incidence of diabetes, hyperlipidemia,
& hypertension. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
Mounting evidence suggests that modification
of caloric intake, particularly the quality of calories, can result in decreased
morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes.
Excess weight is an independent risk factor for coronary disease, in addition
to its contribution to the incidence of diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension.
Between 20 and 30% of Americans are overweight, defined as 20% above the
acceptable body-mass index (kg/m2), and more than 40% of certain subpopulations,
such as black, Native American, and Mexican-American women, are overweight.
Despite concern about the risk of weight cycling, the health hazards of
obesity appear to outweigh the potential harm of repeated weight loss and
gain.
Americans derive excess calories from fats, particularly saturated fats,
rather than from more beneficial sources such as complex carbohydrates,
monounsaturated fats, and fiber. Since intake of saturated fat correlates
with cholesterol level, and coronary heart disease is reduced by 2 to 3%
for every 1% reduction in plasma cholesterol level, dietary modification
will play a central role in decreasing the primary cause of mortality in
America. Excess dietary fat intake has also been associated with breast,
colon, prostate, and lung cancer in epidemiologic studies. The once widely
accepted goals of reducing calories from all fats to 30% and from saturated
fat to 10% have been challenged as the impact of types of fat (not simply
fat itself) on morbidity and mortality is further elucidated. Increasing
the intake of dietary fiber, such as from plant, legume, and grain sources,
may contribute specifically to a decrease in colon cancer incidence.
|
|
|
|
Are you a doctor or a nurse?
Do you want to join the Doctors Lounge online medical community?
Participate in editorial activities (publish, peer review, edit) and
give a helping hand to the largest online community of patients.
Click on the link below to see the requirements:
Doctors Lounge Membership
Application |
|
Dietary sodium restriction may benefit those who have salt-sensitive hypertension,
although the need for such restriction in the general population is unclear.
Calcium and vitamin D are protective against osteoporosis, particularly
in young women prior to reaching menopause, and evidence suggests that females
at all ages have an inadequate intake. Menstruating women are at risk for
iron-deficiency anemia. To achieve the recommended daily intake of vitamins
and minerals, a varied diet including fish, lean meats, dairy products,
whole grains, and five to six servings of fruits and vegetables daily is
recommended, rather than the use of vitamin supplements. However, certain
nutrients, such as adequate folate to prevent neural tube defects in developing
fetuses, are not readily obtained from the typical American diet and may
be best found in supplements. While evidence supporting the use of antioxidants
such as vitamins E and C is still incomplete, the recommended quantities
of these micronutrients can be obtained from a balanced diet.
|
|
send
to a friend
printer
friendly version
