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Undertaking the obesity epidemic

by Medindia Content Team on Feb 18 2002 3:06 PM

According to a new survey, many people trying to lose weight are not using the right scheme. Researchers phoned 1000 local residents and found that 60 per cent of men and 50 per cent of women said they were overweight or even obese. Most of these were trying to lose weight or at least not gain any more.

But only a third of those trying to lose weight and one fourth of those keeping their weight stable were using a combined strategy of calorie restriction plus at least 120 minutes of exercise a week. It seems that exercise is where the strategy falls down, so it's interesting to note that another study by doctors shows that completely sedentary people who start to exercise have even more to gain, health wise, than those who are already physically active and choose to exercise more.

A team of doctors had some very practical tips to help increase the level of physical activity: open the garage door yourself, use stairs rather than the lift, walk the dog rather than letting him out of the back door, and do your own yard work, rather than pay a gardener.


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