Every year, the common cold and the flu incapacitate people for a few days to a few weeks at a time, making them miserable and causing them to miss work, among other things. Turns out that one virus linked to the common cold may also be making people fat.

The adenovirus-36 belongs to a family of viruses that are linked to colds and stomach ailments. There are 52 recognized adenoviruses, and adenovirus-36 is linked to respiratory and eye infections. Several studies have shown that this adenovirus has also been linked to obesity in animal and people.

The link between the adenovirus-36 and weight gain was first discovered by Dr. Nikhil Dhurandhar in 2000 in the study “Increased Adiposity in Animals Due to a Human Virus” in the International Journal of Obesity. The study found that chickens who had been inoculated with adenovirus-36 had increased fat tissue, and the virus was found in the fat tissue for as long as four months afterward. The study concluded that a link between the virus and fat gain in humans needed to be studied.

In September of last year, a study published in Pediatrics found that children who were exposed to adenovirus-36 were more likely to be obese than those who were not exposed. Antibodies to the virus were found in 19 of the 124 children studied, and 15 of those children were considered to be obese. The other 4 were considered to be of normal weight.

Of all the children in the study who were considered obese, 22 percent had antibodies to the adenovirus-36. Only 7 percent of children studied who were considered to be of normal weight had the antibodies. The obese children who had the antibodies were 35 pounds heavier than the obese children who did not have the virus.

The CDC has reported that the adenovirus-36 has been shown to cause a large accumulation of fat in chickens, mice, rats and monkeys, and it said that several studies have shown a link between the virus and obesity in humans. In one study cited, 30 percent of obese people had antibodies to adenovirus-36 present, and the overall body weight of all people who had been infected was about 55 pounds heavier than those who were not infected.

One noteworthy paradox in these studies was that triglycerides and cholesterol were reduced in these people, even with their obesity. However, no reason was found for this reduction.

It has been suggested that the reason adenovirus-36 may cause obesity is that the regulatory element binding proteins is increased, so there is increased binding of protein 1 and fatty acid synthase. Other processes increase the production of fatty acids and the transportation of lipids into the cells.

Studies also indicate that the virus may alter gene expression, as it was found in cells for many, many months after initial infection and was found in multiple tissues throughout the body.

There has been less conclusive evidence about how the adenovirus-36 may affect adults who become affected. Some studies suggest that there is a link, while others show that there is none. Adults studied in the United States, Korea and Italy were shown to be affected by the virus, while adults studied in Belgium and the Netherlands were shown to be unaffected. Studies have also shown that women are much more likely to show a connection between adenovirus-36 infection and obesity than are men.

With the rising rates of obesity in this country among both children and adults, it is worth looking more closely at the role the adenovirus-36 may play in it. Since some who are infected become obese and some don’t, it is still not clear what all the factors are in play. It is not known whether or not vaccination for this virus may help reduce the risk of later obesity, or whether any other treatments may have an impact on reducing the risk.

However, it is estimated that 30 percent of obese adults carry antibodies for adenovirus-36 infection, while only 10 percent of those considered to be of normal weight do. It is clear that there is some connection, and there needs to be more study to understand what kinds of changes can be made to reduce risks.

This is a guest post by Bridget Sandorford from Culinary Institute of California. If you would like to write for howtoreduceobesity.com, follow our guidelines.

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The obesity epidemic is a major health crisis impacting the United States and posing a huge threat to the future of the entire nation, and the Lone Star State is no exception. Millions of Texan adults and children face an increased risk of suffering from major obesity-related health problems. If nothing is done to counteract this looming crisis, several Texans will live shorter lives that are plagued by poor health.

Texas Obesity Statistics

According to the most recent U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC), 30.4 percent of Texans are obese, giving the Lone Star State the tenth largest percentage of obese residents by state in the U.S. The Texas obesity rate trails the 35.7% national obesity rate by a little over five percentage points, but this difference is still nothing to celebrate. In 2010, Texas came in at thirteenth for the percentage of obese residents by state. Within a single year, the Lone Star State jumped three slots on the list, signifying that Texans are steadily becoming more obese.

Texas Obesity Rates by the Demographics

The obesity epidemic affects Texans across the board. However, some groups are more likely to suffer from obesity than others. In Texas, certain age groups are more prone to obesity than others. Texans who are between the ages of 45 and 54 have the state’s highest obesity rate out of all age groups, at about 36.3 percent. By contrast, Texan baby boomers who are 65 and older have an obesity rate of 28 percent, well below the state and national obesity rate.

Texas obesity rates show great variance across ethnic demographics as well. Hispanic and black Texans tend to have higher obesity rates than any other ethnic group, at 39.2 percent and 41.5 percent respectively. Contrast these figures with white Texans who have an obesity rate of 28 percent.

Education and income demographics have a variance in obesity rate similar to ethnic demographics. Texas residents who obtain higher levels of education are less likely to suffer from obesity. For instance, Texans who fail to obtain a high school diploma have an obesity rate of 38.2 percent. By contrast, Texans who graduate from college have an obesity rate of just 24.7 percent.

In regards to income, obesity is least prevalent in higher earning Texas households. Texas households with an annual income of less than $15,000 have an obesity rate of 40.4 percent, while Texas households with an annual income of $50,000 or more have an obesity rate of 29 percent.

The Cost of Obesity to Texans

The effects of obesity aren’t limited to the obese; the consequences of this epidemic are far reaching. Obesity costs Texas between $10.5 billion to $15.6 billion each year. This range includes direct health costs, such as hospital visits, hospital stays, and medications that are related to obesity. This range also includes indirect costs, such as loss of wages and productivity due to obesity-related illnesses and death. If nothing is done to lower the state’s obesity rate, obesity related costs could swell to nearly $40 billion annually by 2040.

Read: The Shocking Truth About Obesity

Public Health Initiatives to Fight Obesity

Education is the key to lowering Texas’s obesity rate. Government and private groups, such as Shape Up Houston, The Texas Medical Center and The Texas Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity Prevention (NPAOP) Program, are teaming up all across the Lone Star State to quell the growing obesity epidemic. These groups aim to lower the state’s obesity rates by educating and encouraging residents to seek better nutrition and seek out more physical activity.

In a single year Texas jumped ahead of three other states in obesity by percentage of the population, which shows that anti-obesity initiatives are slow to take effect. However, with increased awareness and targeted intervention toward the demographics who are most affected by obesity, Texas can surely reverse its obesity epidemic in the coming years.

This is a guest post by Chris Wallenstein from Life Long Weigh for a Houston based program. If you would like to write for howtoreduceobesity.com, Follow our guidelines.

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Obesity is becoming a serious health issue not only in the West, but also creeping slowly in the East. Regardless of the nature of these drinks even the non-carbonated beverages such as iced tea, fruit drinks imitating juices and so on add thousands upon thousands of calories to your diet. Many people underestimate the importance of these when it comes to weight gain. But this article is about their more popular cousin – the carbonated soft drinks. Whether its some sort of cola, energy drink or fruity cola they are the worst offender and source of calories in the Western diet. Thirteen percent of the calorie intake of teenagers is said to come from carbonated and non-carbonated soft drinks.

The most dangerous aspect of soft drinks is the amount of sugars present in them that adds to an individual’s diet. These are mostly in the form of refined sugar or high-fructose corn syrup. So next time you give your child a soda pop or its international equivalent, consider this: You are giving them 15 teaspoons of sugar a day and that is extremely close to the limit roughly recommended by most health organizations. The over consumption of these beverages has pushed other, more healthy ones out of the diet of children and teenagers around the world. Reportedly years ago they used to drink much more milk tan they do today. Nowadays the heavy soft drink consumption is linked to the lower intake of vital vitamins, minerals and the much-needed dietary fiber.

Soft drinks contain the so-called “empty calories” which are key many health problems, chief among which is obesity. Elevated blood sugar levels are closely linked to type 2 diabetes risks, which for the first time in many decades is becoming a serious risk for teenagers and sometimes even children. The extra weight you or your children are packing will contribute to problems such as heart attacks, gallstones, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, coronary artery disease and sleep apnea.

The frequent consumption of soft drinks holds an elevated risk of developing osteoporosis, especially if your habits are combined with insufficient calcium intake through milk or other sources. Dentists do their best to encourage people to drink less soda to prevent tooth decay and dental erosion. Soft drinks have sugars and acids which greatly contribute to these, creating the perfect conditions for such issues. The caffeine present within much of the soft drinks is already known to be mildly addictive. It is also known to help in the expelling of calcium from the body. Due to allergies some food colorings can used in soft drinks can promote problems such as asthma, hives and allergic reactions in children or individuals.

The main reason for the heavy consumption of soft drinks is the extensive, massive advertisement campaign used by the companies making them. Rarely there are places where you can’t find carbonated soft drinks around the world – restaurants, gas stations, museums, stores, vending machines and even schools are all targets for the commercial industry. Several states in the US have managed to ban the sales of soft drinks on school premises, however that doesn’t really help the overall picture by much.

We are seeing an increased production of diet soft drinks instead, containing fake sugar and sugar substitutes. Those however are not much better either with products such as sucralose and aspartame being the leading danger. They offer the taste of sugar while at the same time being dangerous because of their own qualities. Products such as those using sucralose are created using a process of chlorination, thus possibly being carcinogenic by nature. No long-term tests have been performed in a similar fashion to how the problem of tobacco was approached a long time ago. Profit is taking over logic and the scientific attempt to find the truth. Aspartame is no better, being maneuvered into position through careful, clever corporate backstabbing by falsifying reports and the use of attorneys at every turn. Aspartame is said to be investigated for possible claims of being a carcinogen as well as being responsible for other neural diseases and issues.

Read: What Is Flat Belly Diet And How It Works?

Read: Taking On Obesity In UK: Diet Or Surgery

So where do we go from here? You should avoid products containing high levels of sugars and fake sugars, instead sticking to natural sweeteners. Agave nectar, raw honey and unrefined brown sugar should be used sparingly as a replacement for the sugar intake we are used to. Using these and gradually bringing down our excessive need for sugar will help us lose weight to manageable levels.

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If your obese or overweight, there are many steps you can take in your life to reverse this dangerous trend. Maybe you’ve had a recent health scare and know that you need to make a change. Maybe you’re tired of your high school jeans not fitting anymore. Maybe you just want to look good at the beach. Regardless, you can achieve a healthy body weight and fantastic physique with some basic diet and nutrition strategies. Always begin with small steps and go from there – slow and steady wins the race.

Fighting Obesity

The first thing you need to keep in mind is that since it took a long time to gain the weight you’ve put on, it’s also going to take a long time to lose it. If you think that you’ll be able to lose weight fast and keep it off, you’re in for a big surprise because this is going to be a drastic lifestyle change that might take several years to correct.

The first thing you’re going to want to do is visit your doctor. Whenever you visit your doctor, he can determine rather or not you have any problems that might be contributing to your obesity. Some things he might take a look at are your thyroid or your metabolism. Other things like high blood pressure or diabetes may have contributed to your weight gain over the past several years. Your doctor might even recommend other measures as well, including gastric bypass surgery or even liposuction. Only he will know what’s best for you.

Creating a Weight Loss Strategy

A proper nutrition plan is critical for losing weight. Never use a fad diet to lose weight, no matter how much weight you have to lose. These types of diets create unnecessary risks for your body composition and health and should be avoided at all times. Just focus all your efforts on eating a reasonable diet with all of the nutrients your body needs to support healthy fat loss – carbohydrates, proteins and fats.

You should always keep a food journal, with everything you eat and the amounts that you eat jotted down inside. Always track your calorie intake and make sure you know what your total daily energy expenditure is (TDEE) – the amount of calories your body burns on a daily basis. Without knowing this, weight loss becomes incredibly difficult since weight loss is a game of calories. In fact, this is the only way weight loss can occur. Be sure to make slight reductions in calories, not a drastic one which can have a negative effect on your metabolism, making it harder to lose weight.

Support groups are also good, since they will keep you motivated and can give you the inspiration you need to carry on your weight loss journey.

Read: Morbid Obesity – Picture, Diagnose, Causes, Side Effects, Prevention, Treatment

Read: How Does Obesity Start From 60 to 200 Pounds

Implementing an Exercise Regimen

Always take baby steps with your workout program. Start by walking up and down your neighborhood and as you get more conditioned, you can increase the volume, frequency and intensity of your workouts. Don’t become discouraged if you find yourself winded after a short amount of time working out. It’s going to take some time for your body to become conditioned, but just keep at it and continue to make small changes to your workout program over time.

I hope this article has given you a better understanding on what can be done to fight obesity. Obesity is a serious medical issue and I would even go as far to say that it is a curse that has been placed upon America, considering that about one out of every four people are either overweight or obese. But you don’t have to be one of them! Take the tips in this article seriously and you’ll be well on your way to health and wellness, even if you’re not overweight or obese to begin with.

This is a guest post by Drew from Gain Muscle Fast. If you like to Write for howtoreduceobesity.com, Follow our guidelines.

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Weight gain can be caused by a number of things. It may be a genetic predisposition or brought about by a medical condition. Or it may be precipitated by the intake of certain medications (birth control pills for instance), perhaps simply the effect of an unregulated diet. Whichever is the case, overweightness is an ongoing and epidemic problem in the United States. And as such, has subjected 2/3 of the population to weight related illnesses.

According to statistics, 33.9% of American adults are obese and that 34.4% have a body mass index that is beyond the recommended. What’s alarming is that the rate of obesity among children has doubled within the last two decades. Much of this can be attributed to unhealthy eating and physical inactivity. In fact, 310,000 to 580,000 deaths per year are directly linked to the two as well as the development of weight problems. But instead of taking a more responsible and dedicated route, most people latch on to practical and easy weight loss measures. This explains why the weight loss industry at a tremendous pace with an approximate value of $71 billion dollars back in 2010.

Alli weight loss pill is among the products offered under the diet management category of the weight loss industry that is set to help people control the absorption and elimination of fat. Alli is actually a toned down version of Orlistat (Xenical), whose mode of action is to inhibit pancreatic and gastric lipase, which breaks down fat. This in turn make them non absorbable to the intestines. And as a result, their concentration is minimized, thereby making it simpler for users to burn out those they’ve stored by physical activity. Yes, this particular treatment still requires users to engage in an active lifestyle to achieve full results. And proper diet is also advised.

The standard prescription for Alli is 60 mg taken three times daily before meals. And it should be religiously practiced for 6 months minimum for effects to take place. It blocks approximately 30% of dietary fat absorption. And it can be bought over-the-counter, so you do not have to worry about exclusivity or inaccessibility.

You will have to be conscious about counterfeit products though because there are a lot of them being retailed today. The risks are significantly lessened if you are buying from pharmacies and hospitals. But this does not mean to say that online retailers and freelance sellers are largely to blame of their distribution. They themselves might just be victims, with their lax quality control and product regulation protocols leaving them susceptible to fraudulent manufacturer offers. It is not their place to protect your interest because they are just relaying products. It is you job as a consumer to be smart about your purchasing decisions. To avoid wasting money on worthless merchandize, see to it that you: 

• Buy from a reputable source, one that has years of experience in supplying dietary pills, and is properly licensed and registered
• Patronize a seller that has received plenty of positive feedbacks from consumers and has no existing record with the Better Business Bureau
• Go with merchants that are endorsed by experts
• And stick to those who have product warranties and money-back guarantees

 To spot fake items, you should inspect on site pictures or actual features of the Alli pill you got and verify if it possesses the following characteristics:

1. Has a “Lot” code in the cardboard packaging
2. Expiration date reveals only the month and year
3. Plastic bottle packaging is even sized, with a narrower cap and a smooth ribbing
4. Foil seal with printed “SEALED for YOUR PROTECTION” inscription
5. Pills contain larger capsules of white powder

If the medication you have meets the abovementioned, then you can guarantee yourself authenticity.

Many have provided positive feedbacks when it comes to the use of Alli as a weight loss tool, citing huge improvements in their body shape and self-confidence. But users and experts warn those who are interested of the uncomfortable side effects they bring. Aside from diarrhea and stool incontinence, Alli also causes oil, gassy anal discharges and sometimes, cramping. It also prevents the absorption of vitamins A, D, E, and K so you have to take supplements. In uncontrolled amounts, there are set to provoke liver damage, kidney injury and cancer. Fortunately though, the findings for these three adverse effects have yet to blow out of proportion. Nevertheless, it is important that you consult physicians the minute you notice something off from what it is expected. And of course, it’s best if you do not just depend everything on pharmaceutical or surgical weight loss interventions. As much as possible, pinpoint the reasons behind your weight problems and then target them.

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Most of the populations all over the world are overweight, obese or morbid. These people neglect the importance of staying fit and the harsh side effects of carrying the excess body fat. Neglecting all the body health concerns and concentrating more on the job or career creates various health effects. If you wish to live longer and healthier, it’s essential to stay in the right weight. Morbid obesity is affecting most of the people due to their negative attitude towards themselves. It is a life threatening condition that interrupts the body’s physical functions like breathing and walking.

Diagnosing Morbid Obesity

People who are affected with this type of obesity are at higher risk of suffering from diseases like high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea, heart diseases, cancer, and many more. You can diagnose morbid obesity by calculating the Body Mass Index (BMI). The BMI is determined by the person’s height to his weight. A morbidly obese person is 100 pounds over from the ideal weight according to his/her height.

Causes of Morbid Obesity

There are various types of obesity causes. To know what exactly is the cause for you being obese, you need to know your body first. Researching and observing your body thoroughly helps in knowing the cause. Know all your habits and medical history before you start following any particular weight loss plan.

Metabolism rate

The main cause of excess weight is a lower metabolism rate. The body’s metabolism rate plays an important role in burning fat deposits. The higher the body’s metabolism rate, the more faster you burn fat and the lesser the metabolism rate, the slower you shed calories. It’s a simple formula: Boost up the Metabolism Rate and Lose weight! Some people think that it’s not that easy to increase the fat burning rate, but actually its very simple. Know how much your body needs the calories for the whole day and consume the desired amount. Ensure that you don’t consume too much or too less of calories to avoid getting overweight or weak. Eating a balanced diet and exercising too increases the metabolism rate.

Unhealthy Eating Habits

Unhealthy eating habits lead to undigested food materials in the digestive system that later results into fat deposits. Eating high amount of carbohydrate and fat rich foods increase the calorie count and puts on weight. Unknowingly your body starts pilling these fats and you tend to become overweight, obese, and later morbidly obese. Skipping meals too leads to obesity as you tend to consume more calorie rich food in the next meal that leads to weight gain.

Lack of Exercise

An inactive person eats more and exercises less. Exercise is important in today’s world where most of the people have 9 to 6 job timings that make them sit at one place for longer hours. Such job timings where you are less physically active, lead to an easy deposition of fats in your body. It is essential to burn the excess calories in your body to stay in right weight. Hence, opt for a minimum of 20 minute exercise daily to shed pounds gradually.

Other Health Causes

• Osteoarthritis

• Hypertension

• Diabetes

• Depression

These diseases make you eat more and lead to excess weight.

Side Effects of Morbid Obesity

This type of obesity leads to various medical emergencies. The morbidly obese person suffer from heart stroke, prostrate cancer, colon cancer, breast cancer, gall stone disease, Type2 diabetes, and high blood pressure. Apart from the health disorders, this obesity creates a negative impact on your mind. It disturbs you mentally and emotionally and makes you feel less confident in carrying yourself for various social events. You gradually go under depression where you get scared of the negative comments people may pass on you for looking obese and ugly. These all side effects result into a deserted person that slowly puts on weight.

Prevention of Morbid Obesity

Know the cause of the morbid obesity for your body and start working towards it. You can prevent getting obese by gradually turning from obesity to getting overweight and then coming back in normal weight. Prevent your body from getting morbidly obese by following a low calorie diet and exercising on a regular basis. Make your diet chart and follow it in order to keep a track on your calorie intake.

Treatment Of Morbid Obesity

Once you are affected with this type of obesity, it’s difficult to come out of it with merely following a strict diet and exercising. Only 5 percent of people come out of morbid obesity by dieting and exercising. The only better option for such people is by undergoing surgeries that make them lose weight. Bariatric surgery is the type of surgery that alters the body’s digestion and absorption process.

Types of Bariatric Surgery

• Sleeve Gastrectomy

• Gastric Bypass

• Gastric Banding

Consult your doctor for the best Bariatric surgery that suits your body.

Know the morbid obesity causes, side effects, prevention and treatment and stay fit and healthy.

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The simple explanation for obesity is that it occurs when a person consumes more calories than they burn. A person is considered obese when their weight is 20% above their normal weight. But no one wakes up one morning after a week of not exercising to find that they are obese, so what causes such dramatic weight gain?

There are generally many more factors at play than just excessive calorie consumption and a lack of exercise. In the beginning it can start very subtly and the changes are so gradual that most people don’t realize that a lifestyle change is necessary until they are already caught in a vicious cycle.

Many times, in the case of children with obesity, parents feel helpless to guide their children along the right path, as they themselves are often struggling with similar weight issues.

Being aware of and understanding what the root cause of your obesity is will ultimately be the key to overcoming it. Here are some of the main factors that play a role in obesity; recognizing which one(s) played a part in your obesity will enable you to take the right approach to your particular situation.

Genetics

Studies have shown that obesity can run in families and if your parents or grandparents were overweight, you will be more prone to obesity.

In one study, researchers looked at adults who had been adopted as children and found that they took more after their biological parents in their weight than their adoptive parents. This shows that genetics can affect a person’s weight even more than their environment does.

However, this does not mean that just because your parents were overweight you will have to suffer the same fate, and while it will take more work to achieve and maintain a healthy weight, it is certainly not impossible.

Age

As you age, your metabolism naturally slows down and your body requires fewer calories to maintain its ideal weight than it once did. Additionally, you tend to do less physical activity as you age than you did when you were younger, so eating habits must be adjusted according to age.

This is especially true for women, as once they hit menopause, their metabolism will slow down and they won’t be able to eat as much as they once did without gaining extra weight.

Psychological issues

For many people, eating has become a coping mechanism that helps them deal with negative emotions such as depression or anger. When they feel an episode coming on, they turn to food as a comfort, which leads to binge eating and ultimately, obesity.

Environmental factors

The environment you live in can also have an effect on your weight. If a child lives in a home where parents and relatives overeat and sit in front of the television instead of getting exercise, he/she is more likely to grow up with a weight problem.

This isn’t only the case with children; if you are surrounded by temptations on a daily basis, for example working as a chef or bartender, you will be surrounded by unhealthy choices and lifestyles all day long, which can weaken your resolve to eat healthily.

Health issues

Certain health problems can contribute to obesity, such as thyroid issues or polycystic ovarian syndrome. Certain medications used to treat other conditions can also affect your weight, such as steroids or antidepressants.

Other health issues that prevent you from exercising as much as you’d like to, such as a weak back or knee problems, can also contribute to obesity, since you will be less active than you once were. In cases like these, you should speak to a physical therapist and find exercises that you can still safely do despite your condition.

Pregnancy

After a pregnancy, women tend to weight around four to six pounds more than they did before the pregnancy. In addition to the weight put on during their pregnancy, they have to care for their newborn almost 24/7, which means less time for exercising.

One of the reasons that women put on more weight than they should after a pregnancy is that many are under the mistaken impression that they must “eat for two” during their pregnancy, which leads to excessive weight gain that can quickly get out of control once the baby is born and a new mother has less time to think about her weight.

Again, it is important to remember that no matter which of these factors have contributed to your obesity, there is still hope for your recovery. If you feel unsure about where to begin, speak to a physician, dietician and physical trainer to get advice that is tailored to your specific situation.

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Most people have obsessive thoughts at one time or another. We worry about if we left the iron on, or the garage door open, or a pot holder on the stove. The thoughts may take over our day until we are finally able to return home and ensure that everything is in order. Maybe you even exhibit compulsive behaviors that you repeat over and over, routines that you cannot stand to have disrupted. This is all perfectly normal, to a point. It is when these thoughts and behaviours cross over into being disruptive to your daily life and relationships, cause you tremendous angst, and use up large parts of your day that you should be concerned about Obsessive-Compulsive Behavior.

The causes of OCB are not fully understood. It often seems to be caused by emotional issues from growing up with authoritarian, demanding parents. It is sometimes genetic and runs in families. There are likely biological issues such as serotonin deficiencies and sometimes a link to brain disorders such as Tourette’s Syndrome. OCB patients often suffer from depression as well.

An estimated 6 million Americans suffer with OCB at some point in their lives. The onset is usually in the teens or early adulthood. An equal number of men and women have it, though the manifestations differ. Women are more often obsessive cleaners, whereas men are more often compulsive checkers.

Some people suffer from obsessive thoughts without any ritual behavior, while others deal with both. Obsessive thoughts are those that are incessant and distressing irrational thoughts that implant a belief in the mind that something bad is going to happen, whether inevitably or as the result of not doing something to perfection. Trying to ignore the thought just intensifies it.

Compulsive behaviors are sometimes added to the thoughts, causing people to perform unproductive rituals in order to prevent something bad from happening. This is often manifested as handwashing, skin picking, counting steps, touching objects in a certain manner, taking certain routes even if it means wasted time, or incessant cleaning. Many sufferers are obsessed with order and symmetry, for instance their shirts must be arranged in a particular color and sleeve length order in the closet or else they feel the whole world is out of sorts. When they are prevented from their ritual in some way, panic ensues. Set patterns of doing things brings safety and order to the world.

Hoarding is another form of OCB and is the belief that if anything is thrown away, then something bad will happen. Checkers are never satisfied that things are secure- they may check the same door and window locks thirty times before calming down enough to go to bed. Handwashers are afraid of contamination and urgently need to wash their hands after touching almost anything in order to prevent some sort of disease from infecting them. Skin, scalp, and nail pickers are often suffering from inner pain, for instance from emotional abuse from a parent, and use the skin picking as a way to take control of outer pain.

All of these compulsive behaviors bring temporary relief but no pleasure. Many patients are able to get OCB symptoms under control, if not eliminated, through Cognitive Behavior Therapy. This involves exposure to triggers in order to learn that nothing bad will happen if some rectification is not made- such as having them touch something they perceive as dirty and keeping them from washing their hands.

Medication is often helpful, as well as therapy to learn new coping skills and substitutions for their negative behaviors. Learning to refocus attention is often key.

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Taking on obesity in the UK have been a matter of concern for some time now. Data from a recent health survey indicates that 25% of adults and 10% of children are obese and it was predicted that by 2050 half of all adults would be obese along with one in every four children. This is not a new problem but it has been getting progressively worse in recent years.

The Causes of Obesity

There have been many theories about the causes of obesity. It has been attributed to emotional or comfort eating, poverty, eating too much fast food, lack of exercise, genetics, medical conditions, some prescribed drugs, slow metabolisms and many other factors. In the search for a definitive cause and possible solution to obesity, scientists have searched for and claimed to have located an obesity gene. However, in reality it is probably not any one specific thing that causes obesity but a combination of some or even all of the above. What is obvious is that modern lifestyles and the advent of television and the internet in particular have led to a generation of people who rarely spend time out of doors and do not get enough exercise.

What Are the Solutions for Obesity?

In simple terms, there are two main solutions to the obesity epidemic – diets or surgical procedures. There are pros and cons to each, with diets often seen as an ineffective method to bring about permanent weight loss and surgery considered to be too drastic an answer. Another issue with surgery is the number of operations that go wrong and result in medical negligence claims.

The Case for Diets In Obesity

For decades, diets and dieting solutions have been aimed mostly at women. These have ranged from appetite-suppressant tablets prescribed by the doctor to calorie-controlled diets such as the 1000-calories-a-day plan. Every week seems to bring another fad diet offering a miraculous cure for the overweight. Today there are meal-replacement soups, shakes and bars and an array of tablets and several slimming clubs all claiming to help with weight loss. But do they work? It appears that they do for some people but not others. However, the real problem is that once the weight is lost it is difficult to maintain, with many people quickly putting it back on again.

The Case for Surgery on Obesity

Bariatric surgery has increased in popularity recently. It is commonly carried out in an attempt to help morbidly obese people who have tried dieting and failed to lose weight. A gastric-bypass operation is major invasive surgery with all of its associated risks in addition to the added risks obesity contributes. Depending on the type of surgery carried out, the individual will need to restructure their eating habits as the capacity of the stomach is reduced. Gastric-bands are the less invasive option, using keyhole surgery to restrict the size of the stomach. But even this can result in complications.

The Future Of Obesity

It is difficult to predict what the ultimate solution to the obesity problem will be. It is said that the population of Britain was at its healthiest in the period of rationing during World War II, when people had to rely on home-grown vegetables to make up for the produce such as fresh eggs, meat, sugar and butter that was on ration. Perhaps the answer lies with healthy diets and getting more exercise rather than relying on surgical solutions except for the most severe cases.

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One in every three Americans are obese, and that equates to 72 million people in the U.S. alone. Children are right behind adults with astonishing numbers – one in three kids are overweight or obese, a 60% increase in the past 20 years, and that isn’t the worst of it – these numbers are expected to increase to much higher percentages in the next 20 years. This is a serious epidemic and obesity is becoming known as the plague of the 21st century.

What is going on with obesity? It has just – in the past few years – been labeled an epidemic.

What is shocking is that even though people are dying from this deadly threat, fast food sales are up, as well as soda, milk and cheese, sugar items, meat and the portions just keep getting bigger and bigger. In the year 2000 fast food sales hit 107 billion, in 2010 – nearly 165 billion. These numbers nearly double if the entire world is taken into count. We are talking about just the U.S. alone.

Just to add injury to insult – candy bars are increasing in size, as well as sugary sweets, and even movie popcorn, and portions sizes at restaurants and diners. The super size trend is catching on… all in an effort to cash in on the American desire for more, more, more.

The medical costs are rising as well – to the tune of $147 billion dollars in the US alone in 2009, and expected to hit $344 billion per year within the next 10 years. These numbers are not only outrageous they are dangerous.

Medical industry experts say that not only does obesity create more medical costs in the U.S., but individually as well. People who are obese are spending triple in medical expenses than an average weight person. And, the risks related to this epidemic are higher rates of diabetes, heart disease, and many types of cancer. Yes, the risks are high, but so are the psychological effects. People who are overweight are less likely to find love, land a job and are ridiculed and shunned which is causing a whole other host of emotional problems, on top of the medical problems.

What can we do, you ask? If you are obese or most likely know someone who is, here are some solutions that can get you on the right track right away:

Boycott Fast Food

Most people are aware of the dangers of fast food on health, weight and the environment. Anyone who isn’t should pick up a copy of Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser, or The Fast Food Craze, by Tina Volpe – and learn a thing or two about this industry, its advertising tactics to lure you, and its contribution to the obesity epidemic.

Skip The Soda

Soda pop is one of the biggest culprits of the obesity crisis. It is estimated that Americans get about 9 to 13 percent of their daily calories from soda. A single can a day can add a pound a month of weight. For each drink that is consumed, the risk of obesity increases by 1.6 times. Most American kids drink soda every day and one health study said that each soda that a child drinks, adds an increase to their BMI (body mass index) by .24 kg, and puts them at greater risk for diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, along with tooth decay.

The average American drinks an astonishing 50 gallons of sugary drinks per year and the soda companies are raking in the cash.

Cut The Meat Consumption

Eating meat is linked to obesity, due to the high content of fat contained in each burger, steak, chicken breast and ground turkey. Meat eaters have three times the obesity problems than do vegetarians, and nine times the obesity rate of vegans (strict vegetarians.)

The average difference between vegetarians and meat eaters is about 10 to 20 pounds.

Oprah Winfrey went vegan for 21 days as a cleanse – and loved the experience. Cutting out meat from your diet will not only help you lose the unwanted fat, it also helps fight some pretty debilitating diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, arthritis and cancer.

So there is a start to getting on the right track. Of course, at least 30 minutes a day of strenuous exercise will speed up the process, and it’s good for your emotional health as well as your heart and weight, and nothing can be more important than your health. Without it – life becomes a struggle instead of a joyful experience.

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