Fight obesity now: Join AFMC's Team Lean Challenge '08! Published Feb. 29, 2008 Health and Wellness Center TINKER AIR FORCE BASE -- It's no news to any of us that Americans are getting bigger. More than 60 percent of Americans aged 20 and older are overweight. One-quarter of American adults are also obese, putting them at increased health risk for chronic diseases such as heart disease, type-2 diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke and some forms of cancer. According to a study conducted by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, it is estimated that by the year 2015, 75 percent of adults and 24 percent of children and adolescents in the United States will be overweight. The Center for Disease Control states, overweight and obesity are both labels for ranges of weight that are greater than what is generally considered healthy for a given height. Obesity, however, is having a high proportion of body fat. In scientific terms, obesity occurs when a person consumes more calories than he or she burns. What causes this imbalance between calories in and calories out may differ from one person to another. Genetic, environmental, psychological and other factors may play a part. Is it in my genes? Obesity tends to run in families, suggesting a genetic cause. Yet, families also share the same diet and lifestyle habits that may contribute to the obesity. In one study, adults who were adopted as children were found to have weights closer to that of their biological parents than to their adoptive parents. In this case, the person's genetic makeup had more influence on the development of obesity than did their environment. What about my environment? Environment also strongly influences obesity. This includes lifestyle behaviors such as what a person eats, and his or her level of physical activity. It can even be influenced by the people we hang out with. Harvard Medical Researchers reported a study that indicated that if you are surrounded by overweight family and/or friends you are more likely to become overweight yourself. Interestingly, the effect seemed to be more significant between overweight friends than overweight family - dispelling any simple suggestion that genetics played a key role in these observations. On a positive note, it has been suggested that overweight friends may provide moral support for each other during a time when they are all trying to lose weight. According to a study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, stress experienced at work also significantly increases a person's risk of obesity in general. Regardless of sex, people who reported job strain were 73 percent more likely to develop obesity than those who reported none. Is it me? Psychological factors also influence eating habits. Many people eat in response to negative emotions such as boredom, sadness, or anger. Most overweight people have no more psychological problems than people with average weight. Still, up to 10 percent of people who are mildly obese and try to lose weight on their own or through commercial weight loss programs have a binge eating disorder. This disorder is even more common in people who are severely obese. If you are upset by binge eating behavior and think you might have this disorder, seek help from a health professional. What else could it be? Some illnesses can lead to obesity or a tendency to gain weight. These include hypothyroidism, Cushing's syndrome, depression and certain neurological problems that can lead to overeating. Also, drugs such as steroids and some antidepressants may cause weight gain. A doctor can tell whether there are underlying medical conditions that are causing weight gain or making weight loss difficult. Another thing to consider is the amount of sleep you're getting. Researchers continue to find links between sleep and weight. In a study that followed more than 68,000 American women over 16 years, it was found that those who got adequate rest each night (7-8 hours of quality sleep) tended to put on less weight during middle age. The study concluded that the women who got only five hours of sleep per night were one-third more likely to have substantial weight gain (30 pounds) over the course of the study period than those who got seven hours of sleep. Why does it matter? Obesity is more than a cosmetic problem; it is a health hazard. Approximately 280,000 adult deaths in the United States each year are related to obesity. Several serious medical conditions have been linked to obesity, including type-2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke. Obesity is also linked to higher rates of certain types of cancer. Obese men are more likely to die from cancer of the colon, rectum or prostate. Obese women are more likely to die from cancer of the gallbladder, breast, uterus, cervix or ovaries. What can I do? Regular physical activity is an important part of effective weight loss and weight maintenance. It also can help prevent several diseases and improve your overall health. The type of physical activity you perform is not as important as the amount of time you spend on physical activity per day. Studies show that even the most inactive people can gain significant health benefits if they accumulate 30 minutes or more of physical activity per day. Research consistently shows that regular physical activity, combined with healthy eating habits, is the most efficient and healthful way to control your weight. Knowing that we're highly influenced by the people we keep around us, it's a great idea to seek out or try to be a good wingman for those around us. Partner-up for those trips to the gym and share healthy recipe ideas with others. Bring healthy snacks to the office to share with the group. Share your own health goals with others so they can provide a supportive network to help keep you on track. So, now's the time! If being overweight or obese is a concern for you, or even if you're interested in being more active and changing your diet, now's the time to make a change! The AFMC Team Lean Challenge can be your start to a healthier lifestyle! Beginning in Mar, the Team Lean Challenge is a three-month, base-wide initiative designed to promote weight loss for healthy living. TLC's goal is to help you reach and maintain a weight that is healthy for you. Contact the Health and Wellness Center at 734-5505 or Civilian Health Promotion Services at 734-4645 for more information on getting signed up today! Or, you can also visit the AFMC Wellness Support Center at www.afmcwellness.com .