Around the Web (Jan 3rd, 2014) – My take!


BBC NEWS (HEALTH) website today reports on obesity in developing countries. It stated that the number of overweight and obese adults in developing countries has increased four-fold to around one billion since 1980. The report cited studies made by the Overseas Development Institute. It was noted that one in three people worldwide is now overweight. Weight gains have been seen more in parts of the developing world with rising incomes like Egypt and Mexico.

One of the causes included ‘change in diets and a shift from eating cereals and grains to the consumption of more fats, sugar, oils and animal produce.’ Lifestyle changes, availability of processed foods, advertising, media influences, and not taking physical exercises have encouraged weight gains in the developing world. The report encourages government and governmental agencies to get involved in curbing this trend. This effort should work alongside efforts to deal with under-nutrition and weight loss.

My take:
From my experience as a medical practitioner in a developing country, obesity and overweight are issues that require urgent attention from individuals, groups, government and non-governmental agencies. More and more persons are presenting in the hospitals with weight-related problems like type 2 Diabetes, arthritis, cardiovascular diseases, and others. Weight problems contribute to these problems and also make them difficult to manage in the health-care setting. Losing the weight is the single most important intervention that can go a long way to solving and coping with the health challenge in question.

The truth is: obesity is with us and we are doing little or nothing about it. It’s taking a heavy toll on the health-care system and economic resources in this country. More and more younger individuals are developing weight-related problems and getting down with diseases that were once more common with older adults. We all have a role to play in fighting this dangerous trend. Let’s consider the following ways to curb overweight and obesity with what I should call the 6 D’s:
(1)             Daily exercises are helpful. In Nigeria, we don’t have the culture of engaging in a form of exercise on a regular or daily basis. Exercise some think is meant for sports men and women. Others conclude that they don’t need exercise since they have normal weight; they reason exercise is meant for only those with weight-problems. That is far from the truth. Daily or regular exercise (most days of the week) is meant for EVERYONE, young and old, sick or healthy, fat or thin, rich or poor. You don’t need to engage in very strenuous exercise. Brisk walking for at least 30 mins everyday or 5 days in the week is helpful in keeping and maintaining good weight. It also helps control high blood pressure, high blood sugar and high blood cholesterol. Daily or regular check on your weight (using bathroom weighing scales) can help you see if you are on the right track.
(2)            Diets. Healthy diets are advocated. We should take more of our traditional meals enriched with vegetables and fruits on a regular basis. Let’s take less and less of processed foods, fast foods and drinks that usually contain high calories. Review your daily or weekly diets to see if you are in line.
(3)            Discouragement. One problem I have noticed from my clinical experience is that many overweight patients easily get discouraged. Many prefer a quick way to lose weight. So when they exercise and watch their diets and they don’t get immediate results, they get disheartened and give in to adding more weight. Such persons need a lot of counseling. They need to know that weight loss is usually a gradual process.
(4)            Delay is dangerous. Don’t wait to take action tomorrow. Start NOW!
(5)            Drastic measures should be avoided. There are numerous short-cut weight-loss measures being flouted on the media and on the internet; we should be careful about them. While some may have some merit, others can be quite harmful. Some of the so-called ‘natural supplements’ can have adverse effects. You should be more careful if you are taking drugs for other health conditions.
(6)            Doctors and other experts. Checking on an expert on a regular basis helps. You can see a physician; a nutritionist or a dietitian  expert trainers and others to help. There are treatable health conditions like depression that can sometimes contribute to weight gain. Some persons may benefit from some form of surgery if done by experts and if they meet the eligibility criteria for such procedures. Remember, every surgery carries some form of risk; don’t be in a hurry to take one.


On a final note, choose weight losing measures that are convenient for you and are sustainable. Choose a diet and exercise regimen that you can keep up with and maintain. Consistency, regularity and simplicity are the keys to enduring weight control.



©Dr Eugene’s Column (http://dreugeneojirigho.blogspot.com/)

©Dr Eugene’s Blogs (http://dreugeneoji.blogspot.com/)

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