Overweight people should be paid to attend weight-loss programmes to reduce the impact the growing obesity epidemic is having on the healthcare system, a group of Australian doctors said Wednesday.
Obesity has more than doubled in Australia in the last 20 years and is placing an uncomfortable strain not only on waistlines but on health services, the Australian General Practice Network said.
Obesity
Obesity is a condition where there is excess accumulation of body fat which poses a risk to the health of the individual. It can affect children and adults.
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To combat the spiralling problem, it wants the government to give the overweight a 170 dollar (141 dollar US) subsidy to do something about their expanding physique.
The network, which represents general practitioners, said effective weight-loss programmes were often too expensive, particularly for those with modest incomes.
![Intense Weight Loss Programmes Helps to Shed More Than 100 Pounds]( "Intense Weight Loss Programmes Helps to Shed More Than 100 Pounds")
A study shows that one in four persons who participate in an intensive weight loss program for 12 weeks can go on to lose over 100 pounds.
"We believe that this (money) will go a long way to helping people get access to accredited weight-loss programmes where the people will be supported," network chairman Tony Hobbs told state radio.
"They'll have goals set, they will be expected to come back at the end of the 12-week programme and be measured to see whether or not they've been able to succeed with their weight-loss programme."
The network said it was important to tackle the issue immediately because of the growing rates of type-2 diabetes, heart disease and cancers linked to obesity.
The top national organisation representing doctors, the Australian Medical Association (AMA), said action should focus on educating people about their health rather than encouraging a quick-fix dieting programme.
"The real issue is educating people overall into adopting a healthy lifestyle, understanding the healthy choices that they need to make and that becoming part of their lives. Not a 12-week programme where a diet and strict controls are in place," AMA president Dr Rosanna Capolingua told ABC radio.
Source: AFP
LIN/J
Intense Weight Loss Programmes Helps to Shed More Than 100 Pounds
A study shows that one in four persons who participate in an intensive weight loss program for 12 weeks can go on to lose over 100 pounds.
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"We believe that this (money) will go a long way to helping people get access to accredited weight-loss programmes where the people will be supported," network chairman Tony Hobbs told state radio.
"They'll have goals set, they will be expected to come back at the end of the 12-week programme and be measured to see whether or not they've been able to succeed with their weight-loss programme."
The network said it was important to tackle the issue immediately because of the growing rates of type-2 diabetes, heart disease and cancers linked to obesity.
The top national organisation representing doctors, the Australian Medical Association (AMA), said action should focus on educating people about their health rather than encouraging a quick-fix dieting programme.
"The real issue is educating people overall into adopting a healthy lifestyle, understanding the healthy choices that they need to make and that becoming part of their lives. Not a 12-week programme where a diet and strict controls are in place," AMA president Dr Rosanna Capolingua told ABC radio.
Source: AFP
LIN/J
Dietary Counseling Leads to Weight Loss
Dietary counseling has resulted in weight loss of approximately 6 percent of initial body weight (approximately 10-15 pounds) after one year.
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