The percentage of women and children affected by obesity locally is a cause for concern.
Avia Ustanny, Freelance Writer
WE ARE becoming more and more like the United States of America which are neither complimentary to ourselves nor to the to those whose behaviour patterns we follow.
The percentage of women and children affected by obesity locally, and the risk which that brings of disease and early death is a case in point.
Recent studies show that 33 per cent of AfricanJamaicans between the ages of 25 to 75 are obese compared with 7 per cent of men who are obese. Among children in the range of 11-12 year olds, 20 per cent are obese (Risk factors for obesity in Caribbean women and children, by Maria Jackson Cajunas, Vol 34 No. 2).
It is a problem of lifestyle and nutrition. It is a challenge which requires significant behaviour change.
Three decades ago, notes Jamaican nutritionist, Dr. Joy Callender, the leading causes of death were infectious diseases. Today they are chronic disease such as diabetes, stroke and heart disease. These are conditions connected to obesity. The patterns are reflective of health trends in North America.
The trend among children is even more alarming. As activity among the group has fallen significantly, with more spending hours sitting and watching TV, playing video games, computer games, so has obesity among the group increased. The eating habits have also changed, with fast food replacing home cooked meals.
Dr. Callender points out that the community basis of raising children has disappeared. More and more mothers are in the workforce and grandmothers are there too, or living by themselves where they cannot influence what children eat. The results are what we see.
The dietary and exercise patterns are also similar in adults who frequently skip breakfast, grab fast-food meals on the road, and spend hours desk-bound.
Researchers note that affluence as well as poverty both play a role in the profound changes that may see more and more Jamaicans eating their way to a early death.
The poor who often choose cheap foods which are sugar/carbohydrate/fat rich but nutritionally poor. A problem also is lack of information regarding diet and exercise. Some do not know what is a balanced diet. Cultural factors also militate against exercise and eating right in some Caribbean communities.
Members of the medical fraternity are calling for the participation of health insurance companies in schemes to prevent lifestyle diseases. This would make health care aimed at preventing chronic diseases more affordable.
They feel that government policy directions in the area of public health will have to take into consideration the social and economic factors causing obesity and find ways to communicate more effectively on the topic of nutrition, activity and how these affect our health.
BEHAVIOUR CHANGE
IT IS true that those who are overweight will gain more even while eating less, and will have smaller rewards for exercise done.
Nicola Scopinaro, professor of surgery at the University of Genoa Medical School, has published research highlighting the following factors
1. Contrary to what is generally believed, the heavier one is, the easier it is to gain further weight and this occurs for smaller and smaller increases of energy intake.2. The obese person eats on average more than the lean person, but not much more.3. Individuals with equal body weights may have different energy intakes and individuals with the same energy intake may have different body weight.What the research does point out is the simplistic connection between diet, exercise and weight gain no longer holds true. Each client in the nutritionists office must be treated as an individual with different and specialised needs.
Regardless of how they arrived at where they are today, there is one major challenge that many of the obese face. It is that of behaviour change.
For successful weight loss, every obese person will have to develop new behaviours and the habits which will lead to success. Sticking to new eating habits, to daily exercise and refusing return to old habits is not as easily done as it is said.
There is also a need to get information on proper nutrition and how to prepare meals. Then comes the breaking of old habits like eating in response to stress.
Dr. Callender, our consultant nutritionist, suggests that developing good communication skills is also a new behaviour to be acquired. Learning conflict mediation techniques, learning to express yourself without totally alienating the target is also useful. Better communication will help you to manage your emotions in a way that will not lead you to resorting to food for comfort when under stress.
Accountability is also important. Partner with someone who is doing better than your self and engage in healthy competition.
If this is not your style, then find someone, perhaps your nutritionist, who is genuinely interested in your progress and keep him/her abreast of both your successes and failings. This will keep you honest, until through sheer force of habit, your weight normalisation programme enters cruise control.
