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Physicians look to combat Miss. obesity
Published Saturday, July 4, 2009
NATCHEZ — While the South is known the world over for its rich culinary fare, that cuisine comes with some serious ramifications.
And it’s showing in the waistlines of Mississippians, young and old.
The Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation have labeled Mississippi with the highest rates of adult obesity and the highest rates of obese and overweight children in the country.
The study places 32.5 percent of the state’s adults in the obese category and 44.4 percent of children 10 to 17 in the overweight and obese categories.
Natchez cardiologist Dr. Vickram Dulam said many of the overweight and obese patients he sees simply don’t consider weight as a contributing factor to their health problems.
Dulam said as patients gain weight they become less active and as a result of their inactivity, their bodies begin to develop health problems.
“It’s a vicious cycle,” Dulam said of the effects of obesity. “And a lot of people just don’t see it.”
But while patients may not make the connection between their weight and health woes, the problems are unavoidable.
“Diabetes, chronic arthritis and cardiovascular disease all come from obesity,” Dulam said.
And to get their patients into better shape, some local physicians are taking action.
Dr. Blane Mire practices internal medicine and, with his partners, started a weight-loss program for obese patients that are monitored by physicians.
“We are in a society that likes to eat,” Mire said. “And so many people don’t have a concept of portion control.”
Mire said since so many people are overweight, obesity becomes the norm and many people that are medically obese don’t even know.
People with a body mass index, which measures height and weight to determine obesity, greater than 30 are considered obese.
Those with a BMI from 25 to 29.9 are considered overweight.
And while most have concerns about the rate of obesity among adults, the rate of overweight and obese children is especially troubling, Dulam said.
Many parents simply don’t know that their children’s current weight will put them at risk for significant health problems in years to come, Dulam said.
“In 10 years they’ll start to see any number of problems,’ Dulam said.
Natchez-Adams School District Superintendent Anthony Morris said the district is taking steps to address the issue.
Morris said some federal stimulus money, which should be here before the start of the new school year, will be used to hire a nurse to work with the schools to tackle weight problems in the student body.
“It’s a serious matter,” Morris said.
The district will also be utilizing grant money to supplement physical education classes and teach students the benefits of healthy eating.
“We need to integrate the benefits of a healthily lifestyle into teaching,” he said.
Alabama and West Virginia ranked second and third as the fattest states behind Mississippi.
Louisiana ranked eighth in adult obesity and seventh in childhood obesity.
Comments
Posted by ProNatchez (anonymous) on July 4, 2009 at 8:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Get rid of the fried food and you will see the pounds start to fall off.
Posted by Morticia (anonymous) on July 4, 2009 at 8:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Get rid of the sugar, cable tv, and video games, and get kids and adults active.
Posted by livingitup (anonymous) on July 4, 2009 at 9:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Make some of the losers collecting welfare get out and get a job...that in itself will solve a lot of problems, not just obesity.
Posted by beammeupscotty (anonymous) on July 4, 2009 at 10:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Just think how bad the obesity problem would be if they legalized marijuana.
Posted by NtzMom55 (anonymous) on July 4, 2009 at 12:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Far too many health insurance carriers refuse to recognize obesity as a disease and will not help in any way, shape or form to financially assist the insured to get the medical assistance needed. The insurance carriers do not seem to realize (or are blind to the fact) that they would save much more money if they would help with the disease (up front) rather than spend all that money dealing with all the medical problems that come later by dealing with all of the medical problems that are a direct result of obesity.
Posted by dixiemama (anonymous) on July 4, 2009 at 1:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Weight wasn't a factor in my husband's recent heart attack, but eating the wrong foods and smoking was. I guess now it's time to teach us old dogs better eating habits!
Posted by jrn59 (anonymous) on July 4, 2009 at 4:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well I have high cholesterol and any thing that is good I cannot have, but hey, still weigh a ton. Quit smoking tho almost 3 years now. Every thing tastes different. Thats it! Every one quit smoking and either you will lose or gain. .
Posted by justmyopinion (anonymous) on July 5, 2009 at 5:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think alot of people just dont know what to do long term to lose weight a keep it off. Not everything works for everyone. Myself an example. Ive been trying to lose a few pounds for right at 4 weeks now. I walk 45 min a day 5 days a week and started a low fat diet. All Ive lost is 4 pounds!!!!!!! I dont want any "sugar buster" or "liquid" diets-those never work long term. anyone have any new suggestions?
Posted by reneef (anonymous) on July 5, 2009 at 8:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If obesity is treated as a disease by the insurance the people could draw disability just because they are obese.
Posted by MSviaTN (anonymous) on July 6, 2009 at 8 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Justmyopinoin - this is how I keep my weight off - I drink only water (maybe a soda once a week), absolutely NO pork, no sweets - eat fruit when you feel like you have a sweet tooth and eat plenty of veggies - baked chicken every now and then. I take vitamins daily and every 3 months I do the "Lemonade diet" and detox my body and exercise everyday. NOTHING FRIED!! NEVER any fast food. Once you get into the habit of eating this way you will NOT want to eat anything else. If you feel the need to eat out - go to Subway there are plenty of healthy options there - there now that is just my opinion :)
Posted by Teach4Peace (anonymous) on July 6, 2009 at 8:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Justmyopinion, also check your measurements. You may in fact be losing inches FIRST instead of the pounds dropping. I worked out both in the mornings before work and in the evening after work and the scale DID NOT move until 30 days after the fact, I had lost 15 pounds, then 23 pounds until a lumpectomy sidelined me. Also, incorporate some LIGHT weight lifting for toning as this also helps the pounds drop off. Don't worry about bulking up under the fat, won't happen. Muscle burns fat even when you are at a stand still, and also remember, muscle weighs more than fat, the main thing is switch up your routine was well. Try skating, biking, etc. I am about to RE-EMBARK upon my fitness routine. Being fit keeps you feeling young, looking young and your energy soars!
Posted by Gimmeabreak (anonymous) on July 6, 2009 at 11:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Why would you avoid pork? Are you referring to the misconception that pork raises blood pressure? Pork products that contain salt like ham, bacon and sausage may but fresh pork does not. Pork is good for you in moderation-just like anything else. I would suggest increasing your fiber intake-it keeps you full, reduces blood pressure and cholesterol and helps protect against cancers and diseases of the Gastrointestinal system.
Eat whole grain foods, fruits and vegetables, avoid saturated fats but do consume monounsaturated (olive oil, canola) and polyunsatunsaturated fats (corn oil) in moderation. Choose low fat dairy products and try to eat mostly white meats such as chicken, turkey, fish and pork. Leave carbonated beverages and fruit juices alone, take a daily mulitivitamin, drink water and avoid sugar.
Posted by Gimmeabreak (anonymous) on July 6, 2009 at 11:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
MSviaTN, I was just curious about the pork thing, whether it was a personal or medical choice.
Posted by MSviaTN (anonymous) on July 6, 2009 at 1:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It is a personal and medical choice. It has nothing to do with religion if that is what you are getting at. What you buy at the store and what you eat in restaurants is extremely unhealthy and I would think that is what the majority of pork eaters eat- I don't have an opinion about "fresh" pork - to be honest that that just sounds disgusting to me and I would never eat it. Then again I am very picky too - I don't eat catfish, crawfish, shrimp or anything like that - not going to eat bottom feeders :). I will on occasion eat red meat or chicken but mostly just veggies - my husband is totally vegan and hasn't used a sick day from work in about 7 years and is very fit and healthy - so if you stick to it correctly it will work.
Posted by Gimmeabreak (anonymous) on July 6, 2009 at 1:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
When I say fresh pork, I mean pork chops, ground pork, just anything that is not cured or processed like bacon, ham or sausage. In my studies, the pork itself isnt what is unhealthy but the preparation methods are-frying, etc. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and preferences though. I tried following a Vegan diet once, unsuccessfully, kudos to anyone who can stick to it, Vegans are a very healthy bunch. By the way, the reason I am so interested in your preferences is because I am a Registered Dietitian and I talk about food all day!
Posted by MSviaTN (anonymous) on July 6, 2009 at 1:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think the majority of food in restaurants period is unhealthy - I don't eat out much for that reason - I try not to be a stick in the mud and be anti-social but on the occasion I do eat out somewhere I usually feel sick afterwards - don't know if it is all in my head or it really does that to me. You might be interested in this website (or you may already know about it) www.whfoods.com - we bought the book and it is great.
Posted by Gimmeabreak (anonymous) on July 6, 2009 at 3:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
good site, thanks!
Posted by mrmojorisin (anonymous) on July 6, 2009 at 5:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Good Grief!!!
Everyone in the world is healthier than we are. We eat out too much. The portions are huge, and we mop up our plates with bread.
Everyone I know is a closet Emeril Lagasse, and the food we prepare is unbelievably good.
I blame it on my Mother for making me "clean" my plate. I also blame it on all those starving kids in India, and China, and Africa; if they weren't starving, I wouldn't have had to clean my plate every night until it was ingrained in my psyche.
But in reality, I love to cook and I love to eat, and I hate to exercise. But I don't want to die, so what do I do? Eat anything and everything I want to eat, only in smaller portions, drink lots of water and go walking. I do these things randomly and not with any rhythm or dedication, but I'm going to start, I swear I am...one of these days...I promise.
---mojo
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