How Aprons Aid In Promoting Health Awareness

One of the problems that beset the United States is child obesity. More and more children are crossing the border for obesity at a very tender age of 10 years old. This has been attributed to parents not teaching their children about proper nourishment at home, and the fact that there is an increase in the mushrooming number of fast food centers everywhere you go. Kids nowadays do not eat healthy anymore.

One way to resolve this is to include children in planning the weekly meals, for example. Teach them how to plan the meals for the day and tell them how eating balanced meals can make them grow stronger and healthier. Involve them as well during food preparation and cooking time. Some kids would resent the fact that they are asked to do some chores, but to make this a welcome experience for them, give them their own colorful and functional apron while helping around in the kitchen.

There are so many styles and designs to choose from. Child aprons are everywhere - there are those designed with popular children's cartoon characters, princesses, cars and trucks, and the more dainty ones like flowers, ladybugs, and butterflies.

When kids already have their own aprons, you will notice they will start taking menu planning and food preparation more seriously. They will feel like "grown-ups" in their small kitchen uniform and slowly, their interest in cooking will be heightened, thereby increasing their awareness on eating and staying healthy. More importantly, without directly telling them, you are further equipping them with the necessary skills they will need in their adulthood. Soon, you will notice a decrease on their cravings for unhealthy food, and instead you will find them munching on sliced carrots or biting a plump tomato.

With the help of a simple apron, you not only changed the course of your child's life, you also ensured they live a sick-free and healthy lifestyle.

5 Reasons Lap Band Is Better Than Gastric Bypass

For many people with severe weight problems, the answer may lie in a surgical procedure to help them regain control. But choosing the best type of surgery can be difficult. There are many factors to consider when making a decision between procedures like Lap Band and gastric bypass surgery.

The Lap Band procedure involves the placement of a band device known as a Lap Band around the upper stomach. The band reduces the size of the stomach, thereby limiting the patient's food intake, leading to weight loss.

The gastric bypass procedure involves stapling of the stomach to make it smaller, thus restricting food intake. In addition, the small intestine is rerouted to bypass part of the small intestine, thereby limiting the absorption of nutrients during digestion. The combination of reduced appetite and restricted absorption leads to weight loss.

While both procedures may bring about the desired end result of substantial weight loss, the Lap Band procedure offers several advantages, including these five:

1. Less Invasive. It is typically placed using laparoscopic surgery, which involves small incisions and the use of cameras. Gastric bypass, on the other hand, is usually done as an open surgery, meaning it involves a large incision.
2. Simpler. The procedure is a much simpler surgery than gastric bypass surgery. As such, it typically takes about one hour to perform, whereas gastric bypass can take up to four hours. The procedure can also be performed as an outpatient procedure, whereas gastric bypass requires a two- or three-day hospital stay.
3. More Control. Because the Lap Band device is adjustable, the patient and surgeon maintain more control over the weight loss process than is possible with gastric bypass. The device can be inflated or deflated in response to the weight loss progress and nutritional needs of the patient. The procedure can also be completely reversed.
4. Less Risk. Because the procedure is performed laparoscopically, it is a less risky procedure overall. Following surgery, Lap Band carries less risk of dumping syndrome, in which undigested stomach contents enter the intestines too quickly, causing cramps and nausea.
5. Slow, Steady Weight Loss. With this procedure, there is a slower, steadier weight loss, which is the approach health professionals recommend for long-term success.

The cost of the gastric procedure is comparable to the Lap Band surgery cost. However, with gastric bypass surgery, there could be additional expenses later on, as many people experience a stretching out of the stomach pouch and a regaining of weight. Once they do, many opt for StomaphyX, a secondary procedure especially for those who have gained back the weight following gastric bypass. With Lap Band, no secondary procedure is required.

Many people across the country choose to undergo a bariatric surgery procedure in order to improve their quality of life. Bariatric surgery patients across the nation are able to lose mass quantities of weight, allowing them to lead a healthier and more active lifestyle.

Important Lifestyle Changes and Obesity

Considering lifestyle changes and obesity, what are the kinds of changes you want to make? How do you go about it? So you have accepted the fact that you have too much weight. You need to make a change. It is difficult to think about lifestyle changes and obesity. Sometimes, it is even harder to make those kind of changes. Most of us are very set in our ways.

The most important thing is your attitude. Gaining and keeping a positive attitude in itself can be a challenge. I would suggest joining a support group that focuses on weight loss. Here you will find people just like you who need to lose weight. Most likely, there will be a group leader who has been through what you are now experiencing. So you will see that it can be done. If someone else has lost a significant amount of weight, you can do it too.

Your group will talk about goal setting. You need to have a plan and know the direction in which you want to move. This is very important. Having a goal gives you something for which to work. It is important to remember in setting goals for weight loss that you get there a little bit at a time. You will probably experience some setbacks in your journey, but that is okay. You have your group members for support.

An exercise program will be part of your group experience. You will most likely exercise as a group so it will not be so difficult. You will also be learning about healthy foods and healthy eating habits. All this will help you move toward your goal of weight loss. If you can do these things, then you have learned a lot about lifestyle changes and obesity.

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Obesity Causing Factors

You should know what obesity causing factors are. Genetics and hormonal influences do affect your weight, but the most important reason for obesity is taking in more calories than you burn through exercise and normal daily activities. Excess calories are stored as fat. Obesity results from many causes and factors, such as the following:

* Inactivity. If your lifestyle is not very active, you will not burn all the calories you take in. Most adults today spend a lot of time sitting, at work or at home during leisure activities. With this sedentary lifestyle, you take in more calories than you use up. Too much television is a big contributor to a sedentary lifestyle and weight gain. This is one of the obesity causing factors.

* Unhealthy diet and eating habits. This is another one of the obesity causing factors. A diet that is high in calories would include eating fast food, skipping breakfast, eating a lot of calories at night, and having large portions when you eat. All this contributes to weight gain.

* Pregnancy. When a woman is pregnant, her weight naturally increases. Sometimes after the baby comes, the weight is hard to lose. Inability to lose weight after childbirth can contribute to obesity.

* Lack of sleep. Getting the proper amount of rest is important in maintaining your weight. Not getting the proper amount of sleep can result in hormonal changes that increase your appetite. You might start craving foods which are high in calories and carbohydrates. This can definitely contribute to weight gain.

* Certain medications. Some types of medications tend to cause you to gain weight. You need to compensate for this by adjusting your diet and increasing your activity. Some of these medications include antidepressants, anti-seizure medications, diabetes medications, antipsychotic medications, steroids, and beta blockers.

* Medical problems. Obesity can sometimes be attributed to certain medical causes. These include Prader-Willi Synddrome, Cushing's Syndrome, polycystic ovarie syndrome, and other diseases and conditions. A medical problem such as arthritis may lead to a decrease in activity. This could result in weight gain. Low metabolism and low thyroid function, however, are unlikely to cause obesity.

You have read about the obesity causing factors. It is important to know what these are so you can avoid them. The best remedy for obesity causing factors is a good diet and exercise program.

Gastric Bypass Information - Stay Informed

Gastric Bypass is a surgical procedure for treating excessive weight, in which the digestive system is made smaller by reducing the size of the stomach and length of the intestines. It is recommended for critically obese persons and where other weight loss programs have failed. There are four types of gastric bypass operations for treating morbid obesity.

Gastric Bypass Information - Procedure

The first step divides the stomach to create a very small pocket of the upper stomach. Surgical staples are used to partially or fully divide the stomach. Full partitioning is recommended so that the two stomachs don't fistulize (heal back together again). Next, the stomach and intestines are reconnected by bypassing part of the small intestine which reduces the digestion time. This enables one to eat smaller amounts of food and absorb less of it into the body.

Gastric bypass lasts between one to three hours and the two main types of operation are open surgery or keyhole (laparoscopic). In open surgery a skin incision of about 30cm is made on the upper abdomen and then resealed with staples and stitches after surgery. Keyhole surgery is less invasive whereby several small cuts are made on the upper abdomen. One cut is for inserting a special telescopic camera, which is attached on the other end to a video screen for the surgeon to observe his actions inside the body. The other cuts are for inserting various surgical tools. At the end of the surgery the small cuts are stitched up.

Gastric Bypass Information - Pre-operation preparation

Preparations for the operation comprise of changes in eating habits and lifestyle to ensure the best possible results. For example smoking is discouraged due to the increased risk of wound infection. To minimize the chances of blood clots in the legs you may be asked to wear compression stockings or be given anti-clotting medication. Vital signs such as blood pressure, heart rate and urine, are tested regularly.

The surgery normally requires a four to five day stay at the hospital. A general (full body) anesthesia is applied so you cannot eat or drink at least six hours prior to the operation. However, the anesthesiologist may permit small sips of water just prior to the surgery. All patients sign a consent form that covers the risks and benefits plus gives your permission for the surgery to proceed.

Gastric Bypass Information - Post operation

Full recovery takes up to six weeks. Immediately after the gastric bypass you may receive pain medication to relieve discomfort after the anesthetic wears off. For a short period a bladder catheter might be used to drain urine into a bag. You may have a stomach tube through your nose to drain excess air and fluids in the stomach that cause nausea and bloating. Also, electric pads maybe used to massage the legs against the formation of clots. Patients will be encouraged to walk around a little to prevent blood clots and chest infections. Initially, only fluids will be consumed, then you will graduate to pureed meals and then to controlled intake of solid meals. Diet will be strictly monitored and key lifestyle changes are recommended.

American Obesity Rate Escalating

Everyone is aware of the many health risks of being obese, not to mention the struggle to carry out everyday tasks, and the subtle, yet entrenched, social discrimination those carrying extra weight deal with every day. And yet, despite all this, an annual report finds the obesity rate in the United States is rising in 28 states (decreasing only in the District of Columbia) in the past year. Yet again the state of Mississippi weighs in with the highest obesity rate (for the sixth year in a row) at 33.8% of the adult population.

Some of the other sobering findings in the report are:

- 38 states have adult obesity rates over 25% though no state had an obesity rate over 20% in 1991.

- 10 of the 11 states with the highest rates of obesity, diabetes and hypertension are in the southern part of the country.

- 8 states (up from 4 last year) have obesity rates over 30%.

- Colorado continues to hold onto the title of state with the lowest number of obese adults, 19.1%.

- Numbers of those who don't exercise rose in 12 states over the last 12 months.

- Less education continues to make it more likely a person will be obese, 33.6% of those who didn't graduate from high school fell into this weight category, compare with 22% of college educated adults.

- Rates of obesity of both African American and Latinos are higher than those for whites in at least 40 states and the District of Columbia.

And when it comes to our children, things aren't much better...

- 12 million plus children and adolescents are obese.
- 12% of high school students are obese; another 15.8% are overweight.
- The number of kids engaging in vigorous physical activity each day ranges from a low of 17.6% (in Utah) to a high of 38.5% (in North Carolina).
- 50% of those surveyed believe more money should immediately be put into preventing childhood obesity.

Naturally doctors consider obesity as one of the biggest public health challenges of our time, and while the country has taken steps to address the problem, the response has been lukewarm at best.

Millions of Americans are faced with barriers to living that healthy lifestyle that everyone knows is so important... the high cost of healthy foods, lack of access to safe places to exercise, and lack of encouragement and support are all factors that keep people carrying more weight than is good for them. Race, ethnicity, region and income all appear to impact obesity rates in this country, and this is troubling to many experts.

What to do if you or someone you love is obese (or even just overweight)? Start today to make (or encourage) small changes to what, and how much you eat. Get more active, and talk with your own doctor about other things you might do to support your weight loss efforts. Being overweight didn't happen overnight, and the weight won't disappear that way either... but you can do it. To avoid becoming one of the obesity rate statistics slow, steady weight loss is what you're after... before long that one or two pounds a week will add up to smaller sizes... feeling better... looking great!