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Heartline Magazine April - June 2003
Obesity
Obesity is to a large extent a disease of the poor and the
poorly educated. That's the view of Professor George Nicholson, a nephrologist
and recently retired Professor of Medicine and Nephrology at the University of
the West Indies. Paradoxically, opulence does not necessarily lead to
corpulence, he says. Those who are well off are able to make well-informed
choices in food selection, can afford to participate in exercise programmes,
doing so now more than ever before, and generally have the means to adopt
healthier lifestyles.
The poor, however, particularly in Third World countries,
have little choice over their diet. They inevitably have to purchase cheaper
foods, which are heavier in fat content and lacking in nutritionally desirable
substances. In addition, they seldom exercise, and tend to make the wrong
lifestyle choices. Habits in the home are practiced by all members of the
household.
Professor Nicholson, who is a member of the Rotary Club of
Barbados South, and is involved in their outreach health programmes, is
concerned about the rising level of obesity in the society generally, and sees
the need to change the behaviour patterns in the community in order to combat
the disease.
Obesity is caused by the adoption of poor lifestyle choices
he said, and can be treated by targeting people's personal habits. Admittedly,
it is not easy to change behaviour patterns, and this often requires trained
behavioural therapists. What is needed is long-term commitment by all concerned,
professionals and the population alike, and perhaps some kind of informal reward
system that involves family and friends. The key and basic principles are good
health and fitness. And, after all, exercise is free, especially in a country
that offers abundant sea bathing and the opportunity to walk in a fresh, healthy
atmosphere.
While not giving up on the older generation, Professor
Nicholson believes that the fight against obesity has to be taken to the youth.
Children take their learned habits and practices into adulthood. It is therefore
important to sensitize them into making the correct food choices and to paying
attention to how they are managing their lives.
It's really about making children feel good about themselves
and helping them to see the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, he said. This
involves not only paying attention to the home, but mounting educational
programmes in the schools that will involve both the school and the home through
the Parent Teachers Associations. This places additional pressure on the
teaching establishment, but it is well worth it; for children and their parents
and for teachers and their students.
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