Experts offer tips to lose weight
Lifestyle and diet changes in the past few decades have increased obesity rates around the nation. Even through Connecticut adults rate fairly well overall in a recent study ranking states by obesity levels, the state's youth did not do so well.
In the survey by the Trust for America's Health, not a single state declined in obesity rates, and the rate rose in 31 states. The study compared data collected from public health departments between 2003 and 2005 to those collected from 2004 to 2006. In a state-by-state comparison, Connecticut — with 20.6% of adults classified as obese — tied for 47th place with Hawaii.
Dennis Ferrer, MD, an endocrinologist at the Backus Diabetes Management Center, said with the changes in diet in the past few decades and decreased exercise, obesity levels are on the rise.
According to the recent regional health assessment by CHAMP, New London County has higher levels of obesity and diabetes than other parts of the state.
"Kids don't walk to school anymore or play outside as much, they are inside at their computers and videogames," Dr. Ferrer said.
He said walking for 30 minutes three to four times a week is a good way to start exercising. He said if patients are obese or have been sedentary, they should see a doctor and discuss starting an exercise program. "With some of our patients, we may need to do a stress test before starting an exercise program, to make sure there is no underlying heart disease," he said.
He also recommends eating more fruits and vegetables, to get more fiber into the system. He advises staying away from processed snacks and box mixes with lots of preservatives.
Carl Mailhot, PT, Executive Director of Eastern Connecticut Rehabilitation Centers (ECRC), an affiliate of Backus Hospital, said whether you are an adolescent, adult or elderly, overall wellness needs to include specific individualized exercise strategies to improve the chances for success. However, some general guidelines to increase activity levels suggested by Mr. Mailhot include walking and using stairs instead of escalators or elevators for one to two floors.
Any interested person can go to ECRC to get an individualized exercise program tailored to their needs, goals and abilities.
One strategy to improving fitness levels for the overweight or obese suggested by Mr. Mailhot is getting into an aquatics exercise program.
Dr. Ferrer agreed if people have knee and back pain, swimming can be a good exercise to gain mobility and have less joint pain.
"To form healthy habits, it takes at least 21 consecutive days of practice to create a habit that will stay with you," Mr. Mailhot said. "People need to put forth the effort to start and stick with it."