Cardiobesity

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Cardiobesity: a new epidemic in the United States?
 
Obesity is the central problem contributing to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, altered lipoproteins, prediabetes, insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome.

I attended a webinar today on Cardiobesity. This program was sponsored by CE International and the facilitator was Ginger Schirmer, PhD, RD. The following are highlights from the webinar.
 
Obesity is reaching 75% of the US population and serves as the core problem of cardivascular disease and diabetes. This means that 3 out of 4 Americans are overweight. Overweight is considered to be a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 25, and obese is considered at a BMI over 30. To determine your BMI, use this link: 
 http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/ 
Does the state of WI have the highest Obesity Rate compared to other states? No, but our rate is 25.4% as evaluated in 2008. Seems to be middle of the range, not great, but not the most overweight.
 
Basic concept to lose weight: calories in (by food and beverages) needs to be less than calories out (by body functions and physical activity). 3500 calories equals 1 pound.
 
Consequences of obesity

• premature death
• heart diesase (CAD, HTN, CHF, sudden death, cholesterol)
• diabetes
• cancer
• breathing problems
• arthritis
• reproductive complications
• other: gallbladder infections, incontinence, depression, surgical risks

Metabolic syndrome results in individuals with abdominal obesity. This results when you gain weight all in your belly, which means the organs inside your abdomen are surrounded by fat called visceral fat. This is not good, it actually raises your risks for cardiovascular disease. If you are a man with a waist greater than 40 inches or a women with a waist of greater than 35 inches, you have abdominal obesity. Other components of metabolic syndrome: blood fat disorders, insulin resistance, prothrombic state (prone to clots), increased blood pressure, and proinflammatory state.
 
Dietary tips to reduce belly fat:

• weight loss
• behavior change
• high quality carbohydrates (low glycemic index)
• increase fiber
• limit high fructose corn syrup
• watch your liquid calories
• avoid trans fats
• limit saturated fats

Pro-inflammatory diet pattern: refined starch, sugar, saturated fat, trans fat, low fruits and vegetables. Diets high in these contribute to obesity and visceral fat which also contributes to inflammation.
 
Insulin resistance diet pattern: saturated fat, low fiber, high glycemic index, high fructose, and high sucrose. Diets like this cause adiposity (adipose or fat deposits) and results in insulin resistance.
 
If you are overweight or obese, I encourage you to learn more about what you are eating and what you are feeding to your family. Look at the long list of problems above, all related to weight problems. Keep yourself and your family healthy.
 
Move more daily and eat smart. Increase those fresh, natural foods in your diet and start to eliminate the processed foods which cause the metabolic and weight problems above.

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