Health News
This country faces many challenges and a big one ? no pun intended ? is obesity. ?Obesity has become an epidemic,? says Lee Kaplan, M.D., Ph.D.
Dr. Kaplan, a visiting professor from Massachusetts General Hospital and director of the MGH Weight Center, presented a lecture on obesity during Grand Rounds at Sinai Hospital last week. The lecture was dedicated to the late Albert Mendeloff, M.D., who was a gastroenterologist, nutrition expert and former physician-in-chief at Sinai.
?It?s one of those disorders everyone knows about, but not enough about,? Dr. Kaplan says. ?Severe obesity is getting worse. All you have to do is look at any playground.?
Make no mistake: Obesity has become a worldwide problem, he says.
?Since 2005, more people are obese in the world than malnourished. Yes, the U.S. leads the way but other countries are catching up,? Dr. Kaplan says.
Obesity is challenging because of its complexity and health risks. For example, not every obese person overeats and sometimes a thin person can habitually overeat and not become obese. But the consequences of obesity can lead to life threatening illnesses. In the U.S., 1,000 people a day die of complications of obesity, Dr. Kaplan says.
Doctors often do not mention concerns about obesity to their overweight patients. ?It is not recognized by most physicians,? Dr. Kaplan says. He offers suggestions on how physicians can approach the topic with their patients.
-Sandra Crockett
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- Hbo's 'weight Of The Nation' Examines The Obesity Epidemic
A compelling four-part documentary delving into the obesity epidemic sweeping the country is being aired on HBO and can be watched free by clicking here. A reporter wanting to write a series of stories on the issue would find "weight of the Nation" a...
- Obesity Adds More Health-care Costs Than Smoking, Study Finds
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- Overweight People Tend To Cluster With Those Who Are Likewise
The adage "birds of a feather flock together" seems to apply when it comes to the obesity, with a study concluding that overweight people tend to befriend others who are overweight. Obesity also tends to run in families, with obese parents raising...
- April 21 Appalachian Health Summit Will Focus On Obesity
Focusing on obesity, a topic that affects the majority of adult Kentuckians, the Appalachian Health Summit will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 21 in Lexington. The meeting is designed for clinicians and researchers, but it would alos be a place for...
Health News
Obesity Poses Challenges
This country faces many challenges and a big one ? no pun intended ? is obesity. ?Obesity has become an epidemic,? says Lee Kaplan, M.D., Ph.D.
Dr. Kaplan, a visiting professor from Massachusetts General Hospital and director of the MGH Weight Center, presented a lecture on obesity during Grand Rounds at Sinai Hospital last week. The lecture was dedicated to the late Albert Mendeloff, M.D., who was a gastroenterologist, nutrition expert and former physician-in-chief at Sinai.
?It?s one of those disorders everyone knows about, but not enough about,? Dr. Kaplan says. ?Severe obesity is getting worse. All you have to do is look at any playground.?
Make no mistake: Obesity has become a worldwide problem, he says.
?Since 2005, more people are obese in the world than malnourished. Yes, the U.S. leads the way but other countries are catching up,? Dr. Kaplan says.
Obesity is challenging because of its complexity and health risks. For example, not every obese person overeats and sometimes a thin person can habitually overeat and not become obese. But the consequences of obesity can lead to life threatening illnesses. In the U.S., 1,000 people a day die of complications of obesity, Dr. Kaplan says.
Doctors often do not mention concerns about obesity to their overweight patients. ?It is not recognized by most physicians,? Dr. Kaplan says. He offers suggestions on how physicians can approach the topic with their patients.
- Respect the patient. Avoid pejorative language. ?When most patients hear the word, ?morbid,? they think ?disgusting,?? he says.
- Do not indulge in the ?blame game.?
- Work to develop a therapeutic partnership and inform the patient that losing weight takes time. ?There is no magic bullet," Kaplan says.
- Discuss the causes of obesity and treat any underlying disorders. Acknowledge that some drugs patients take can cause obesity, and find drugs that do not.
- Focus on a healthy diet, physical activity, stress reduction.
- Surgery is an option but it should be the ?therapy of last resort,? Dr. Kaplan says.
-Sandra Crockett
- Ama Calls Obesity A Disease; Could Spur Coverage For Treatment
The American Medical Association now recognizes obesity as a disease, which may make it easier for Kentuckians to fight the state's obesity epidemic by gaining insurance coverage for necessary medical treatment. Under the leadership of newly...
- Hbo's 'weight Of The Nation' Examines The Obesity Epidemic
A compelling four-part documentary delving into the obesity epidemic sweeping the country is being aired on HBO and can be watched free by clicking here. A reporter wanting to write a series of stories on the issue would find "weight of the Nation" a...
- Obesity Adds More Health-care Costs Than Smoking, Study Finds
Obesity costs the health care system more than smoking does, a new study has found. The annual health costs for someone who is obese average $1,850 more than for a person a normal weight. The excess costs were up to $5,500 per year for people who are...
- Overweight People Tend To Cluster With Those Who Are Likewise
The adage "birds of a feather flock together" seems to apply when it comes to the obesity, with a study concluding that overweight people tend to befriend others who are overweight. Obesity also tends to run in families, with obese parents raising...
- April 21 Appalachian Health Summit Will Focus On Obesity
Focusing on obesity, a topic that affects the majority of adult Kentuckians, the Appalachian Health Summit will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 21 in Lexington. The meeting is designed for clinicians and researchers, but it would alos be a place for...