What size is normal?

Nearly all obese people are in denial about their size.  What we perceive as a normal weight is changing and much larger sized people don't think they are overweight.  A whopping 90% of obese people don't think they have a weight problem because bigger sizes are becoming the new "normal".

One of the first studies carried out to examine perceptions of obesity has found that fewer than 10% of clinically obese people accept they have a serious weight problem.  The survey carried out by Cancer Research in 2012 examined 2,000 adults and found that only 11% of obese women accurately acknowledged they were obese.

Most of the women interviewed described themselves as either "very overweight" or "just right", Cancer Research said.  Men did even worse with just 7% correctly judging their own weight, and accepting they were obese.  16% of men questioned classified themselves as "very overweight".

To define a person's weight as underweight, normal, over weight, obese or morbidly obese, we use what's called the Body Mass Index (BMI), this is a calculation of the persons weight divided by the square of their height.  This is not an entirely accurate calculation as it does not take into account muscle mass or bone size.  For example, muscle weighs more than fat, so a person with a lot of muscle could be classed as over weight or obese using this calculation.  Other people have bigger bones and therefore this adds to their body weight.  But the BMI is an INDICATOR of whether a person is overweight or obese or even underweight.  It is down to the specialist to take into account a person's physical appearance when deciding if indeed they are overweight or not.

On the BMI scale a result between 30 and 39.9 classes a person as obese.  Researchers discovered that only 10% of the people taking part in the survey knew the BMI threshold for obesity.  However, those who knew the BMI threshold for obesity were more likely to define themselves as obese.

The problem with not accepting there is a weight problem means that the Experts fear, as bigger sizes become the new "normal", people are less likely to recognize the health problems associated with their weight.

Professor Jane Wardle, co-author of the study and director of the Cancer Research UK centre at University College London (UCL), said:

"It's a real worry that people don't recognize that their weight places them in the obese category.  It means they aren't aware they are at increased risk of a number of health problems including cancer.  This is despite increased media coverage of obesity, and public health campaigns aimed at improving public awareness."

She also added that the use of the word "obese" is often considered derogatory, which may be why so many people reject it.

"Mass media often illustrate obesity in a way that people find offensive, with pictures of bulging beer bellies and huge behinds, so people shy away from these images.  But we also asked people whether they felt they were 'very overweight' and the majority of those who were obese did not accept this term either.  This is a real problem, as it means they are unlikely to identify with health messages on the subject of weight.  We need to establish better ways for health professionals to address this sensitive subject and communicate with people whose health would benefit from positive lifestyle changes."

Obesity and being overweight is a very serious health risk.  About 18,000 cases of cancer in the UK each year are linked to being overweight or obese.  Weight related cancers include; breast cancer in post menopausal women, bowel cancer, womb cancer, cancer of the oesophagus, pancreatic cancer, cancer of the kidneys and gallbladder.

Dr. Julie Sharp, Cancer Research UK's head of health information, said:

"This study provides an interesting insight into how people who are overweight view themselves.  Carrying those extra pounds can have serious health implications.  Fat cells are active, releasing hormones and other chemicals that affect many parts of the body, and increase the risk of cancer.  Maintaining a healthy body weight is one of them most important ways of reducing the risk of cancer, for both men and women."

Unfortunately doctors and trainee doctors don't do much better at assessing a person's weight visually.  In a separate study in Liverpool, UK, researchers asked the participants (including doctors) who were shown photographs of male models and asked to categorize whether they were a healthy weight, overweight or obese according to World Health Organization Guidelines.  They found that the majority of people surveyed were unable to correctly identify the model's weight, instead they underestimated weight, often believing overweight men to be healthy.

In a related study which surveyed healthcare professionals, researchers discovered that GPs and trainee GPs were unable to visually identify if a person was overweight or obese.  This has important implications, the researchers think that increased exposure to overweight and obese people affected a person's ability to estimate the weight of a person.  In the case of healthcare professionals, this is very important as it may mean that overweight or obese people will not be offered weight management support or advice from their doctor.

More than half of the adult population in the EU are overweight or obese.  Action needs to be taken, by the individual and by healthcare professionals.

I can help you improve your health.  If you would like to make an appointment with me either in person or via Skype, just send me an email to lucycarr@socialnutrition.com

Body Perception... What's perfect? What's real?

There has been a huge outcry over the past couple of weeks about Victoria's Secret?s new advertisement...  According to Victoria's Secret this is what the perfect female body should look like...

However, any normal person living in today's world knows that this maybe every woman's fantasy but reality is something completely different.  While these models are stunning, this kind of body shape is not common.  In  fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the average adult woman, over 20 years of age has the following statistics:

Weight: 164.7 lbs or 74.7 kg,
Height:  63.8 inches or 162 cms
Waist circumference: 37 inches or 94 cms

Candice Swanepoel a Victoria's Secret Model has the following statistics:
Weight: 121 lbs or 55kg
Height: 70.8 inches or 175 cms
Waist circumference: 23 inches or 59 cms

There is a difference.

Now, ten courageous women in the UK have recreated the Victoria's Secret advertisement in their own "average" bodies with no airbrushing.

Here is what some of these women said of their bodies and the experience of doing the shoot:

Ali Williamson, 57, UK size 10 (US 8) is a fitness instructor from Surrey and is married and has 2 children and 3 step children.

"My body is a bit beaten up, but it's given birth to and nursed two children, so I'm grateful for that.

"I've also recovered from a horse-riding accident, when I broke several bones, and I've had a hip replacement.  So, as far as being 'perfect', I'm not.

"But the fact my body allows me to teach ten classes of yoga and bodypump weight-lifting classes every week means it's strong and fit...

"... I wish there were more older models.  When I look at ads they could be my granddaughters.

"However, negative images don't affect my body confidence.  Every day my husband tells me I am sexy or beautiful - if he says it often enough I might believe it!"

Emily Harvey, 31, UK size 14 (US 12), is a blogger and lives in South-West London, she lives with
her partner and has 2 small children.

"When I told my friends I was doing this photoshoot, they said: 'Gosh, you're brave!'  Most women over 20 - particularly those who've had children - don't feel confident enough to pose in their underwear.  I feel more womanly after having children.

"But my mum tum does bother me when I'm swimming and see women with flatter tummies.

"I was a size ten before I had my children and while I'd like to look slimmer, I'm a busy mother with not much time to go to the gym.

"I'm 5ft 8 inches, weigh 12 and a half stone and don't feel fat.  But like every woman, I'm insecure about my body and this advert doesn't help that.

"Taking part in the shoot has boosted my confidence hugely.  I'll feel much more confident in my underwear in the future."

Natalie Lee, 34, UK size 12 (US 10) is a full time mother of two.  She lives in East London with her husband.

"As a trained midwife, I've seen lots of women's bodies and I know we come in all shapes and sizes.

"So I was horrified there wasn't a single average-sized woman in the Victoria's Secret advert.  I don't want my children subjected to images like that.

"Why can't we see more women who look sporty and healthy rather then bony and skinny?  That would be inspirational...

"... I don't want to be super skinny - I think that looks unattractive and wouldn't want to lose my curves.  I like my hourglass figure and my husband loves my curves, but there are parts of me I don't like.  I've got a bit of a tummy and stretch marks, so I don't wear a bikini on the beach unless it's a fifties-style super high-waisted one.  The fashion industry needs to realize women come in every size - and we are all perfect."

I could go on with the testimonials but this post would be too long, you can read the full article here.

The point here is that the general public - of all ages, is being bombarded by unrealistic images of women, most of which have been photoshopped.  This is damaging especially to young teenagers who believe that to be beautiful you have to be a size 0.  Eating disorders are on the rise and as I said in a previous post, it's better to be healthy than skinny.  Health is what matters, you can't be too thin or too fat if your health is at risk.  Each body has an ideal, natural weight, which is different for each person.

The famous Dove campaign that used "real" women instead of models was extremely well accepted, and others should think again before publishing the "perfect female body".

We should be aspiring to achieve health not a dress size, and this should be what we teach our children too.

I can help you improve your health.  If you would like to make an appointment with me either in person or via Skype, just send me an email to lucycarr@socialnutrition.com

Whose fault is it that people are obese?

The amount of times I have heard that people who are over weight or obese only have themselves to blame.  But let's face it... is that true?  Obviously there is a certain responsibility we all have as to exactly what we put in our mouths, but maybe we can also blame others.

Nowadays, most people are spending eight hours a day stuck in an office where they are expected to stay at their desks at all times and get as much work done as possible.  Stress is high, and many eat lunch at their desks.  Then you have to get home - many stuck in traffic jams, others fighting through crowds to get on the next bus, metro, or train... or a combination of all three.  By the time you get home the last thing you want to have to deal with getting creative in the kitchen.  Take out, frozen pizza or a ready meal may seem far more appealing than actually having to check exactly what fresh ingredients you have in the fridge and kitchen cupboards and how can you turn what you have into a healthy nutritious meal for you and your family.

Also the high numbers of unemployed doesn't help either.  Lots of people are living on tight budgets and in countries like the USA where a McDonald's meal is cheaper and more filling than buying fresh ingredients at the supermarket don't make things any easier.  Also the amount of temptation we are faced with on a daily basis... delicious looking muffins, doughnuts, cakes and chocolate bars seem to be on every counter in every shop - not to mention the office vending machine.  Giving in to temptation seems to be all too easy.  I should know.  I have an incredible sweet tooth and even though my career means I have to practice what I preach, I find it hard to resist temptation and do give in every now and again.

So what if people are fat!  Well, I have to say there is a huge SO WHAT.  Obesity and being overweight leads to serious illness.  Very serious illnesses such as some forms of cancer, diabetes, metabolic syndrome and joint problems - all of which are costing the public health services huge amounts of money.

In the UK, thousands of people are being paid sickness benefits because they are too fat to work.  This is costing the taxpayer 54million GBP.  Almost 12,000 people received Disability Living Allowance last year because they have metabolic disease - this is the medical term for the combination of obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure - all caused by... obesity.

There is so much that each individual can do to either combat obesity or not put on weight to start with.  If we look after ourselves - eat healthily and take regular exercise, then our risk of developing a serious illness drops dramatically.  I agree with Tam Fry, spokesman for the National Obesity Forum:

"Successive governments have made life too easy for too many obese people.  If the obese have a legitimate cause for their fatness - and there may be medical or genetic reasons - benefits should not be denied to them.  But getting long-term benefits simply for overeating is an insult to society."

Official figures for the UK state that nearly one in five British secondary school pupils and a quarter of adults are obese.  Also health experts are predicting that by 2050 the annual bill for obesity-related illnesses will have risen to 50 BILLION GBP a year, with almost two thirds of the population obese.

This means that public health services such as the NHS in the UK will go bust.  There simply won't be enough money to help these people with their illnesses and this also means that people who are not overweight and have other serious illnesses such as cancer will not be able to get treatment either.  In most cases, being overweight or obese is a lifestyle choice, it is caused by the individual.  Yes, there is too much temptation and the governments aren't doing enough to make sure that the food industry helps by cutting calories in food and drink and to help people make healthier choices.

But as individuals we can take control of our own diets and make the right decisions as to what we eat - that way the food industry will have to make changes or it will start losing huge amounts of money.  We have the power - the power to make changes, it is time for the individual to take control and force the food industry into serving us and our needs - not us filling their bank accounts.

Remember:  YOU HAVE THE POWER!

I can help you improve your health.  If you would like to make an appointment with me either in person or via Skype, just send me an email to lucycarr@socialnutrition.com

Can the sun keep you slim?

Scientists believe that going out in the sunshine could help keep our weight down.  They have found that moderate exposure to UV rays helps release a key protein, nitric oxide, which slows the development of obesity and type 2 diabetes.

It turns out that the skin releases nitric oxide after exposure to sunlight and that this protein plays a key role in the metabolism.

The experiments were carried out at Edinburgh and Southampton Universities.  Dr. Richard Weller, senior lecturer in dermatology at Edinburgh University, said:

"Studies such as this are helping us to understand how the sun can be good for us."

His team worked with scientists at the Telethon Kids Institute in Perth, Western Australia.  They found that overfed mice exposed to UV light slowed their weight gain.  The mice showed fewer of the warning signs linked to type 2 diabetes, such as abnormal glucose levels and resistance to insulin.

Nitric Oxide plays a role in the way we digest and process food and sugar, potentially preventing harmful metabolic conditions like diabetes.

However, the scientists have warned that as the findings are in mice, they might not precisely translate into humans and insist that more studies are needed to confirm whether sunshine exposure has the same effect on weight gain and diabetes in humans, especially considering that mice are nocturnal creatures covered in fur and not usually exposed to high levels of sunlight.

The good news is that previous studies in humans have shown that nitric oxide can lower blood pressure, and these new findings add to already acquired evidence that supports the health benefits of moderate exposure to the sun.

Professor David Ray, Manchester University, said:

"This is an important study which shows that lifestyle factors beyond diet can help prevent weight gain and diabetes.

"These findings support the idea that a healthy lifestyle should include time outside in the sunshine, not only for exercise, but also to benefit from sunlight on the skin."

Dr. Colin Michie of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, added:

"This paper raises critical questions for us humans - are the effects the same in our children and ourselves, and, if so, can they be applied to prevent obestiy, treat metabolic syndrome and save vast amounts of pharmacological treatment?"

We can only hope so at this stage and hope that they will be able to carry out trials in humans.

Although the sun gets a lot of bad press because of high numbers of skin cancer, if you are careful and don't spend too much time baking in strong sunlight, there are a lot of health benefits associated with moderate exposure to sunlight.  It is also needed for the production of vitamin D - essential for healthy bones and general health.

The easiest way for children to have strong bones is to play outside in the fresh air and sunshine.  Impact sports such as brisk walking, running, skipping, jumping, and even dancing keep bones healthy and strong at all ages - especially when done outside.

So, get up and go outside - your body will thank you for it!


I can help you improve your health.  If you would like to make an appointment with me either in person or via Skype, just send me an email to lucycarr@socialnutrition.com