February 10, 2004
A: FROM MENTOR LORI KANE IN MA
Hi! US News & World Report just did a cover story on obesity that you may
find interesting:
http://www.usnews.com/usnews/issue/040209/

Some of the causes of obesity include:
- Lifestyle:
How much exercise one gets and how much and what types of foods one eats.
How many calories are consumed versus how many are used.
- Psychological:
Some people eat a lot when they are stressed, sad, bored or angry. Some
may be depressed or have low self-esteem.
- Medical:
Thyroid problems can cause obesity. Some medications can cause weight gain.
- Genetic:
Obesity tends to run in the family.
- Age & Gender:
As you get older, your metabolic rate slows. Females tend to have slower
metabolic rates than men.

As far as diets, I would first suggest that you consult a doctor before
starting any weight loss program. Your doctor can help you pick a good
program and also ensure that you do not have any of the medical conditions
stated above. If you are thinking about taking any medications to help in
your weight loss you should absolutely consult a doctor first to make sure
they are safe.

Personally, I think you should pick a diet that best fits your personality
and lifestyle. For example, if you like to eat carbs every now and then,
you probably wouldn't want to choose the Atkins diet. WebMD has a nice
site where you can "Evaluate the latest diets":
http://my.webmd.com/content/pages/11/39536.htm?z=2731_00000_0000_f1_04

I hope this is helpful.
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A: FROM MENTOR CHARLENE CASSIDY IN SC
Suxing, I'm not a medical or nutritional professional, but as someone who has struggled with her weight most of her life, I have a few thoughts on your questions.

Barring a medical problem that causes weight gain or makes it difficult to lose weight I think the major cause of obesity is unhealthy eating habits and inactivity. Our perception of a normal portion size for foods has dramatically increased in the past 25 years or so.. think about all of the "biggie" and up-size packages at fast food restaurants, most dining out establishments provide 2-3 times a normal serving size served in their entrees. I'm not blaming them -- we are each responsible for what we eat -- but we don't have a realistic idea of the amount of food we should eat anymore! Normal portion sizes range from about a 1/2 cup to cup of pasta, rice, cereals etc., a normal serving of meat for fish is about the size of your palm. We could all probably benefit from incorporating more dairy, fruits and vegetables in our diets instead of soda, candy and chips. The key to food intake is everything in moderation.

The other side to this coin is becoming more active -- moving around more. This doesn't mean that you have to start running miles a day -- but do something -- walking, riding a bike, playing outside with friends, swimming instead of watching TV or playing video games.

Most reading on the subject that I've done says that combining healthy eating habits and being physically active will help all of us loose and maintain(which is important) a healthy weight. This will also help you reduce stress, sleep better and make you healthier person.

I think the key to finding a good diet program is choosing one that doesn't promise outlandish results in a short period of time -- or one that limits the types of foods you can eat -- variety is key -- keeps you from getting bored, or one that says you don't need to be active! You shouldn't think of "Dieting" either -- changing your lifestyle for the long term is the only way to win the battle of the bulge.

I'm not sure why you are asking this question, but if you are trying to loose weight yourself -- talk to your parents and maybe your doctor -- they can help you get on the right track and loose weight in a way that won't damage your health and will enable you to maintain a healthy weight.