Now that obesity is recognized by the AMA as a disease, lots of information (and some false claims) are available. Here's help sifting through the facts from medical experts.

First, a few medical terms:

Metabolism

Metabolism refers to the chemical processes in the body that maintain life. Metabolism is the process of turning food into energy, which can then be used for work, growth, cell repair and reproduction.

Calories

Calories (also called large calories or kilocalories) are units of heat energy. Every food we eat has an potential amount of calories that can be converted into energy for work.

Fat

Excess calories not used by the body are converted into fat. This tissue (called "adipose") can be stored under the skin around the breasts, chest, waist and buttocks.

Basal Metabolic Rate

Your body burns energy even while resting, by breathing, circulating blood, cell growth and repair, and adjusting hormone levels. The number of calories used to carry out these basic functions is called the "basal metabolic rate." According to the Mayo Clinic, "your basal metabolic rate accounts for about 60 to 75 percent of the calories you burn every day." BMR can be used as a baseline to calculate your daily caloric needs.

Obesity

Obesity is the condition of being grossly overweight. Obesity can lead to other diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and cancer. Obesity can be calculated using a "body mass index" (BMI) measurement which compares height to weight. BMI = weight (lb) / [height (in)]² x 703 . A BMI of 25 is considered normal. A range of 25 < 30 is overweight. A BMI of 30 or higher is (usually) obese. Click here for a free online BMI checker.

Obesity is a Serious Epidemic

Obesity is a Serious Epidemic

Obesity is now officially recognized by the American Medical Association (AMA) as a disease. It can lead to other serious medical conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes and cancer.

Currently one-third of Americans are overweight, and one-third are obese. Adult and childhood obesity rates have doubled over the last few decades. According to the Rand Corporation, obesity is a greater health risk than smoking, drinking or poverty.

Calories In [Food] - Calories Out [Exercise] = Weight Change

Calories In - Calories Out = Weight Change

How much you eat affects your weight. If you are overweight or obese, examine your diet. Look carefully for "empty calories," foods with high calorie content and little or no nutritional value (sweets, starches, fats).

Moderate exercise is important for overall health. Our sedentary lifestyle is a contributing factor to the obesity epidemic. For adults age 18-64, the U.S. government (CDC) recommends 150 minutes (30 mins x 5 days) per week of moderate exercise (brisk walk) and two muscle-strengthening activities (yoga) twice a week.

To lose weight, you must take in less calories than your body uses. You can burn off some extra calories by exercising. Moderate physical activity also improves the body's overall health. Caloric intake and physical activity are two important factors in weight management.

Nutrition is Important

The food we eat contains proteins, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients which are required for good health. The U.S. government offers dietary recommendations at ChooseMyPlate.gov.

Eating a healthy diet doesn't mean giving up the foods you love - it means making healthy choices so you feel good! Consult a California Medical Weight Management physician-supervised weight loss center for help designing a healthy meal plan.

Support is a Factor of Success

Fads and yo-yo dieting don't work! Studies have shown that one of the biggest factors in long-term weight loss success is support. Accountability, weigh-ins, weekly check-ins, group support and counseling have been shown to increase the chance of successful healthy weight management.

Other Factors

Many studies link obesity to other factors (genetic, behavioral, biological and environmental). All these studies provide valuable insights into obesity. But none of these factors is impossible to overcome. If you have fallen off the diet wagon, look at the triggers that may lead you to over-eat. Identifying the triggers will help you be better prepared in the future.

If you are overweight or obese, consult with medical weight loss experts at California Medical Weight Management (www.calmwm.com).

This article was originally published at: http://www.calmwm.com/blog/five-important-diet-facts-for-weight-loss.

California Medical Weight Management, a physician-supervised three-step weight loss program, is pleased to announce the opening of its newest clinic in Santa Monica, CA at the office of Dr. Mark Youssef.

Dr. Mark Youssef received his medical training at University of California at Irvine, School of Medicine. He performed residency and internship at the Kaiser-Permanente Medical Center in Los Angeles, CA.

Dr. Youssef is a Certified Diplomat of the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, a member of the American Medical Association and a faculty member of the American Academy of Aesthetic Medicine. He is the Medical Director and Founder of YOUnique Cosmetic Surgery, located just steps from the Pacific Ocean in Santa Monica, CA.

To learn more about CMWM's newest clinic in Santa Monica, visit http://www.calmwm.com/clinics/santa-monica-ca.

California Medical Weight Management has medical weight loss centers in the California Bay Area and in Texas. We're growing fast because our three-step, medical approach to weight loss and nutrition really works. Many of our patients have been able to control or cure other diseases like high blood pressure and diabetes through our program! To see actual patient success stories, Visit our YouTube channel at http://youtube.com/calmwmcom.

If you're a physician considering adding specialized weight loss treatment to your practice, learn more about CMWM by going to our "For Physicians" page.

To schedule a free consultation in Santa Monica, CA call Dr. Mark Youssef:

 

1551 Ocean Avenue
Suite 200
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Tel (310) 434-0044  

Fax (310) 434-0099

This article was written by Dr. Farooq Ahmad, Head Researcher for California Medical Weight Management.

One of the most important outcomes of tremendous development made in health sciences over the past about 150 years has been the stretch in the life spans of people. For example, the life expectancy at birth for the overall US population was 46.3 years in 1900 and currently this figure is 78.7 years (2011) which shows the life span has almost doubled.

While having one's life prolonged is good news, the down side of it is that the older you grow, the more likely you are to live more years with the chronic diseases as well as general ill-effects of aging.

Chronic diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer are among the leading cause of death and disability in the U.S. The latest addition to this list is obesity which has been proved to be the mother of many chronic diseases.

Researchers Mark Wilson and Mathew Lee Smith are principal investigators for a study being conducted at University of Georgia, College of Public Health. It aims at improving opportunities to better manage the chronic illnesses of old age workers at the work places, "Obesity is also a major concern" says Wilson. The rates for obesity-related chronic conditions are rising among the younger adult population, which means they will live with chronic diseases and related symptoms for longer periods of time.

As a result, disease management is becoming an increasingly important part of maintaining a productive, competitive and ultimately healthy American workforce.

Wilson and Smith will lead a team of researchers to incorporate Stanford University's famous 'Chronic Disease Self-Management Program' (CDSMP) for increased use in workplaces. Given the fact that 67% of the US adults are overweight and 34% are obese, obesity related morbidity needs to be adequately addressed in the new version of CDSMP.

Visit California Medical Weight Management on the Web at www.calmwm.com.

(Written by Dr. Farooq Ahmad of California Medical Weight Management.)

The general knowledge about testosterone is that it is a sex hormonal and its only function in the body is believed to be related with sexual functions. This, however, is not true. The fact is that in addition to sex organs, testosterone acts on many other tissues too, and correspondingly gives rise to a large number of diverse effects in the body.

For example in addition to sex organs, testosterone receptors are also found in bones, muscle, brain and many other places in the body. The action of testosterone on these different sites results in the appearance of secondary sex characters in boys like muscle and bone growth seen as growth spurt at puberty, voice changes, sex hair growth as well as mantle changes like sexuality, aggression, behavior changes etc.

However, as one of the processes of aging, the serum testosterone concentration gradually declines by 1.6% per year with aging, especially after 40 years of age.

The effects of decreased level of testosterone after middle age like decreased overall sexuality, erectile dysfunction and decreased amount of ejaculate are expected and known to everybody. What is less known is the adverse effects of low testosterone on non-sexual functions of body.

Studies have found a close association between men with obesity, the metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes and low testosterone levels. It has been noted that the presence of low testosterone predicts the development of metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. (Metabolic syndrome is the name given to the combined effect produced in the body by central obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and hypertension).

Development of metabolic syndrome is multifactorial, but the first step seems to be central obesity (or abdominal fatness). It is a common observation that men start developing abdominal obesity (protuberant belly) after middle age. This effect is the result of decreasing testosterone levels in the body. This is the beginning of a problem. The sequence of subsequent events goes somewhat like this: low testosterone levels cause central obesity and central obesity gives rise to different components of metabolic syndrome. This should make it easy to understand how low levels of testosterone can cause metabolic syndrome.

Whether testosterone supplements should be prescribed to treat or prevent metabolic syndrome, is still a question. Although small scale studies have shown good results in patients with type 2 diabetes, large randomized studies are needed to evaluate this putative role of testosterone. Given known adverse effects of testosterone therapy, this becomes even more important.

To learn more, visit California Medical Weight Management on the Web.

This week Dr. Mehmet Oz, teleginic host of "The Dr. Oz Show" was grilled on Capitol Hill for making false claims about weight loss products.

Dr. Oz promotes products such as green coffee beans and garcinia cambogia (brindle berry) as miracle fat-burning cures that can achieve easy weight loss without diet or exercise. According to WebMD, there is insufficient evidence that garcinia causes weight loss. Although Dr. Oz doesn't sell the dubious products himself, his endorsements often lead to what is known as the "Dr. Oz effect" which popularizes these so-called miracle cures.

Dr. Oz testified before Congress that he is not responsible for what companies say about their products. But many of the companies pushing their bogus products use quotes, claims and video clips from The Dr. Oz show to support their advertising. Oz is a bona fide surgeon and a national figure, which makes his claims all the worse because he has the power to mislead so many overweight and obese dieters. Under grilling from Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill, who claimed the Oz effect dramatically boosts sales and drives scam artists to "pop up overnight using false and deceptive ads," Dr. Oz admitted some responsibility but said "to not have the conversation about supplements ... would be a disservice to the viewer."

False claims about weight loss products are a big problem for those trying to lose weight. According to CNN, "The Food and Drug Administration does not regulate weight loss supplements. Under current law, companies selling these products do not need FDA approval before marketing them to the public." The Federal Trade Commission has the power to stop false and misleading ads, but it is difficult to keep up with the proliferation of phony diet products.

With two-thirds of Americans overweight or obese, it's time to start taking obesity seriously. We can't do that with national figures touting miracle cures. Losing weight may not be easy, because it requires a lifestyle change. We have to watch calories and follow nutrition guidelines. There is no miracle cure! Oz promotes the idea that you can lose weight without effort. That is a dangerous idea which leads to failure and discouragement. As with other lifestyle changes, like quitting smoking, first you must really commit to doing it. Running after one miracle cure or another is not a commitment, it is more like running away from the problem. Don't be fooled by false diet ad claims!

California Medical Weight Management announces the opening of its newest medical weight loss center in El Paso, TX. CMWM's three-step, physician-supervised weight loss management system delivers exceptional weight loss without side effects. While on the proven program, patients have access to CMWM physicians and clinical staff who will guide and support them every step of the way.

The program consists of three steps: simple consistent weight loss, transition to weight management, and long-term health with optimal weight maintenance. With California Medical Weight Management's system you can expect to:

• Increase energy while you lose weight
• Easily control your appetite and cravings
• Experience rapid weight loss safely and effectively
• Reach your ideal weight quickly and easily
• Transorm your long-term health benefits
• Avoid yo-yo dieting effect and enjoy long-term weight loss

Visit Dr. Emilio Gonzalez-Ayala at 1368 N. Zaragoza Rd (Building A, Suite B). Call (915) 849-8733 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. In Northeast El Paso, call Dr. John Thomas at (915) 298-3420.

Actual patient testimonials are available on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/calmwmcom. To learn more about CMWM's rapid medical weight loss program, visit http://www.calmwm.com.

Announcing California Medical Weight Management's Second Annual Biggest Loser Summer Contest!

California Medical Weight Management is excited to announce the second annual Biggest Loser Contest, to be held between July 1st - August 31st 2014. Winners will receive a brand new Google Nexus 7 tablet.

CMWM will give away a total of 12 new Nexus 7 tablets to the top winners from our medical weight loss clinics. The biggest male and female losers from each of our clinics will each receive a brand new Nexus 7 tablet:

• El Paso, TX
• Farwell, TX
• Lubbock, TX
• San Ramon, CA
• Scotts Valley/Monterey, CA
• Santa Clara/Watsonville, CA

All CMWM patients are automatically enrolled for a chance to win. Your clinic will track the results. The Biggest Loser contest runs from July 1st - August 31st, 2014 with the winner announced in early September. To schedule your free, no-obligation consultation, visit http://www.calmwm.com/contact.

Be sure to tell your friends about this great opportunity to win a fantastic prize from California Medical Weight Management, just for being part of our program. Good luck with the contest!