National Obesity Week, 10 October - 14 October 2011
Florence Sibanda* is a 43-year-old GEMS member who works as a teacher in Johannesburg. Florence knew she was a large woman but she never imagined that being overweight could be such a hazard to her health. That was until she visited her doctor in order to have a cold treated recently.
"Florence you weigh 95kg and are obese," her doctor told her that day. "Your blood pressure is very high placing you at a high risk of heart problems and even a stroke. You may also be close to developing type II diabetes if you do not have it already. I am very worried about your health and we are going to have to take some action to help you lose the excess weight you are carrying."
Florence was shocked to hear her doctor say this particularly as she had always thought that she was healthy. She asked her doctor what she could do about her weight problem. He said that he was going put her on blood pressure lowering medication and screen her for diabetes and high cholesterol levels. "You are also going to have to start eating more healthily and get some exercise," he said sternly. I am going to recommend a healthy diet for you."
As part of the Government Employees Medical Scheme's (GEMS) ongoing effort to educate our members and future members on a range of healthcare topics, we would like to share real life member stories with you and explore certain important healthcare issues. This article looks at the subject of obesity this National Obesity Week, 10 October - 14 October 2011.
Obesity is a growing problem in South Africa. Indeed research on obesity by the healthcare company GlaxoSmithKline late last year suggested that 61% of South Africans are overweight, obese or morbidly obese. The research also revealed that nearly half (49%) of South Africans do not exercise.
Once thought to be a problem of SA's upper and middle classes only, obesity is now increasingly being seen amongst less wealthy people too. This has been partly attributed by experts to the increased availability of high-fat convenience and fast foods.
A person may be considered to be obese when their body weight and fat are more than is healthy for them. You tend to put on weight when you take in more calories than you burn off through physical activity. Your body stores these unused calories as fat. You may become overweight and then obese when:
Certain medications, such as certain antidepressants and antipsychotic medications, may also cause an individual to gain weight.
The problem with obesity is that it can pose a very serious threat to one's health. Complications that can arise from obesity include the following:
Type 2 diabetes
Even a moderate weight loss can have a lot of health benefits and reduce one's chances of developing complications such as diabetes. Florence managed to lose 15kg in the space of 12 months and her doctor is very happy with her progress.
"I got such a fright when my doctor told me he was worried about my weight that I made a real effort to lose those extra kilograms and get healthier," said Florence. "Thankfully I have not developed type 2 diabetes and hopefully the steps I am taking now to improve my health will ensure that I don't."
"I have cut back on animal fats and carbohydrates in my diet and eat a lot more vegetables," she noted. "I have also stopped drinking fizzy drinks that have sugar in them. Most days I also try to go for a 20-minute walk. This new lifestyle that my doctor recommended is helping me a great deal and I actually have more energy and feel much better for it."
Florence is going about losing weight the right way by getting regular exercise and following a healthy diet. You need to burn more calories than you consume over time to lose weight in a sustainable way. Starving yourself is not a healthy way to lose weight. Health experts agree that weight loss is best achieved over the long term through adopting a healthy lifestyle that can be maintained. This generally involves physical activity and thinking about what you put into your mouth.
There are many products on the market that claim to help people to lose weight. Be wary of these, however, as not all of them are safe to use. Rather visit your healthcare provider or a dietician so that you can come up with a way to lose weight that will be best and healthiest for you.
If you would like to know how GEMS can assist you to obtain more information about any of your healthcare needs, you can contact the GEMS call centre on 0860 00 4367 or send an SMS to 083 450 4367. GEMS will assist you in every way possible to ensure your family's health and well being.
Sources:
1. ‘Obesity', PubMed Health, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0004552.
2. Obesity, Health24, www.health24.com/dietnfood/Weight_Centre/15-51-2954.asp.
3. ‘South Africans among world's fattest people, survey finds', Guardian.co.za, www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/sep/09/south-africa-obesity-survey-health.
*The member's name has been changed in order to protect her identity.
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