THE FITNESS EXPERT By John DeFendis

Obesity

Obesity is a medical disorder that affects approximately 20 to 30% of the U.S. population. It is an excessive accumulation of body fat that results from the storage of excess food energy calories in the body's fat cells.
Cause
Obesity results from an imbalance of the body's food intake, physical activity, and resting metabolism. A variety of psychological and physiological factors play a role. It is uncommon but certain endocrine gland disorders, such as hypothyroidism or tumors of the adrenal gland, pancreas, or pituitary gland, may cause obesity. Recent research has found that a reduction of the body's resting metabolic rate also has a significant effect on the development of obesity. However, most obesity results from using food excessively as an inappropriate coping mechanism to deal with emotional stress. We must reprogram ourselves so we do not use food as an escape or a solution to alleviate stress.
Measurement
Obesity means an abundance of fat tissue, not merely an excess in body weight, which can result from an increase in muscle mass or body fluid. The degree of obesity may be expressed in terms of the Body Mass Index (BMI), calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Obesity is defined as a BMI above 30.
Individuals who weigh more than 20% above their supposed "ideal body weight" are considered obese. However, this is only a rough guide for obesity. A more accurate and reliable method of assessing obesity is to measure the skin fold thicknesses of three different parts of the body. Other more sophisticated obesity measurements include weighing an individual under water, measuring total body water, or using the body distribution of fat-soluble gases.
Obesity may be classified according to the age of onset, family history, degree of obesity, and adipose tissue cell size and distribution. Juvenile-onset obesity is characterized by increased numbers of fat cells which is a more severe degree of obesity which can cause more complications later in life. Obesity in adults is characterized by increased fat cell size and is more prone to cause heart disease, diabetes, and other medical complications; however, adult obesity is more easily treatable with better long-term results.
Complications caused from Obesity
Obesity significantly increases the risk of premature death, Heart attack, Diabetes mellitus, Hypertension, Atherosclerosis, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, and certain types of cancer. The regional distribution of fat also influences the adverse effects of obesity. Obese individuals with an apple shape--fat in the upper body or abdomen--have a greater risk for medical diseases than those with a pear shape--fat confined to the lower body or hips. While obesity increases the risks for numerous medical diseases, there is no indication that there is a higher rate of psychological dysfunction or psychiatric disease in the obese population.
Treatment
The treatment of obesity is sometimes frustrating, and disappointing, as most of those who lose weight soon regain most of it. For best results obesity treatment should stress:
(1) a reduction of fat intake to below 30% of the total daily caloric intake.
(2) a reduction of daily caloric intake to below what is expended from physical activity and the body's resting metabolic rate.
(3) a reduction in salt, sodium, and sugar intake.
(4) the proper balance of protein and carbohydrate intake.
(5) proper vitamin supplementation to aid in fat loss, reduce excess water retention, maintain muscle, increase energy and help the body to recover from exercise.
(6) regular physical exercise.
(7) a realistic psychological and emotional orientation that establishes new eating behaviors.
If you are looking to lose weight, and live a healthier, happier life with a leaner and shaplier body I would recommend Natural Source Products "Burn Fat Build Muscle Pack" which incorporates all of the above recommendations. It includes a nutritional program, a shopping list for healthy eating, a recipe guide, an exercise program and all the nutrients that will help you to Burn Fat, Lose Weight, and get in shape. It is available in thousands of Health Food Stores across the country. I will be glad to answer all your questions regarding your weight loss program. I am committed to helping people lose weight and live a healthier life so don't hesitate to pick up the telephone and call me. I can be reached at 561-968-6578.
Good Luck and God Bless you all.
Your Coach and Friend,
John DeFendis (The Fitness Expert)
NOTE: JOHN DEFENDIS IS A CONTRIBUTING WRITER FOR THE FORUM NEWSPAPER. HE IS A FORMER MR. U.S.A. AND HAS BEEN FEATURED ON "ABC T.V.'S 20/20", "GOOD MORNING AMERICA", AND "THE JOAN RIVERS SHOW". HE HAS BEEN A TRAINER FOR OVER 20 YEARS AND IS THE DIRECTOR OF EXERCISE WITH THE IFPA. HE DEVELOPED THE BURN FAT BUILD MUSCLE PACK AND CAN BE CONTACTED AT (561) 968-6578.