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Time：第 166 次例會，2008年07月26日（週六）下午2:30 ~5:30
Place：
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14:30 ~15:30 Free Talk
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Topic：Q&A: Obesity
Source:http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/medical_notes/3189930.stm
Obesity is a major issue around the world, and as more and more people put on excess weight it is a problem that is only likely to get worse.
In the UK it is estimated that one in five men and a quarter of women are obese, and that as many as 30,000 people die prematurely every year from obesity-related conditions.
How do you know if you are obese?
Most doctors calculate obesity using a formula known as the Body Mass Index (BMI). It is a measure based on height and weight that applies to both adult men and women. To calculate your BMI divide your weight in kilograms by the square of your height in metres.
A BMI of 25 to 29.9 is considered overweight and one of 30 or above is considered obese. Doctors have recently recognised a new category: those with a BMI above 40 are considered morbidly obese. People with BMIs between 19 and 22 live longest. Death rates are noticeably higher for people with indexes 25 and above. The BMI is not infallible. For instance, it is possible for a healthy, muscular athlete with very low body fat to be classified obese using the BMI formula.
Why is obesity a problem?
Experts believe that obesity is responsible for more ill health even than smoking. Being significantly overweight is linked to a wide range of health problems, including:
• Heart disease.
• High blood pressure.
• Arthritis.
• Diabetes.
• Indigestion.
• Gallstones.
• Some cancers (e.g. breast, prostate).
• Snoring and sleep apnoea. Stress, anxiety, and depression
What is the wider impact of obesity?
A study by the National Audit Office has estimated that obesity costs the NHS at least £500m a year - and the wider economy more than £2bn a year in lost productivity. The problem is growing rapidly. Experts predict that if the current rate of growth continues, three-quarters of the population could suffer the ill effects of excess weight within 10 to 15 years.
Why is obesity on the increase?
It would be tempting to suggest that more people are seriously overweight than ever before because they eat too much. Certainly, experts are worried about the high fat and sugar levels in many convenience and mass-produced foods. There is also concern about the advent of 'super-sized' portions, already popular in the US. However, the reality is not as simple as that. A significant factor is that modern life is more sedentary than ever before. A recent study showed that housewives in the 1950s actually ate more calories than their modern counterparts - but they were significantly slimmer because their daily lives involved far more physical activity.
How can you tackle obesity?
The best way to tackle the problem is by not getting fat in the first place. A combination of a healthy, balanced diet, and regular exercise should do the trick in most instances. Experts recommend vigorous exercise such as brisk walking, swimming or cycling five times a week for 20-30 minutes. For those who have been unable to avoid piling on the pounds, weight management clinics are available to provide expert help and advice. In severe cases doctors may prescribe drug therapies, which have been shown to have some positive impact. Among these are orlistat (brand name Xenical), which works by blocking the digestion of fat. Another drug which has produced promising results is sibutramine (Reductil), which works by boosting the signal to stop eating so that patients feel fuller sooner and eat less.
Body Mass Index
Underweight: less than 20
Normal weight: 20-25
Overweight: 25 - 29.9
Obese: over 30
Morbidly obese: over 40
Calculate your BMI
Question 1: What is your BMI?
Question 2: How do you deal with obesity? Have you ever tried any ways to prevent obesity? Do they work?
Question 3: Is surgery an option to be against obesity? Why?
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