Stigmatization due to overweight and obesity

August 1, 2015

Stigmatization due to overweight and obesity: The effects it has on both genders

Stigmatization due to overweight and obesity is not a fiction any more. Many obese people are suffering a lot in the hands of those who are suppose to help them like doctors, teachers, parents and employers

Overweight people are in many situations often finds themselves on the receiving end due to a range of reasons. Besides the possible health complications that come with being overweight and obese, these individuals often becomes the subject of ridicule, discrimination and other acts that can only be considered to be inhumane. It is a pity that this is happening in this twenty first century despite the public awareness that obesity and overweight are diseases like any other which needs medical attention. While attending one of the conferences organized by doctor Dalal Akoury (MD) and founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center. She was very categorical that stigmatization due to overweight and obesity is becoming a global problem with US being on the list of states that leads in this uncalled for behavior. In her speech she wondered why this is happening and I believe that your conscious is not clear about the same and you are wondering too. Because of that, we are going to discuss some of the effects of this heinous behavior and also offer some working solution that we believe will be very helpful to you. We want therefore appeal to you passionately to keep reading and be the first to know the modalities of addressing such situations.

The element of stigmatization is deeply rooted in some communities to the effect that people who are struggling with excess weight or obesity are under serious pressure from their molesters and the experience of discrimination is across a wide variety of settings, including healthcare, employment, schools, public transport sector, social amenities joints and interpersonal relationships. Our children are bullied in school and their performance is deteriorating in the process. Employers are not keen on giving opportunities to obese individuals thereby causing some people their only source of livelihoods. We will look at some of these in details as we progress into the discussion and this is something you don’t want to miss. Therefore stay with us on the link and where possible invite a friend to spread the scope of our resolve to create more awareness to the public that stigmatization due to overweight and obesity is a serious crime to social justice.

Stigmatization due to overweight and obesity: Social discrimination

We have just mentioned something about job opportunities and for sure this is one area which needs to be focused on very objectively. Many employers are shying from offering job opportunities to people who are overweight for fear that they may not be active enough to deliver on their assignment. This discrimination does not stop there; even those that are already in the employment often find themselves being left out when promotion opportunities are advertised. Such opportunities are almost like a reserve to their lean colleagues. As if that is not enough some employers go further to frustrate them by low remuneration siting nonperformance and increased risk of job insecurity just because of their weight.

In healthcare settings, patients affected by obesity often experience prejudice, apathy and lower quality of care from medical professionals, which may result in patients choosing to delay or forgo crucial preventative care to avoid additional humiliation.

Students also face weight-based victimization in educational institutions from their peers, teachers and even parents, this affects the adversely in nearly all the sectors of their life including the interference with their social support and educational achievement. Besides all these it is also emerging that weight related stigma is also present in interpersonal relationships with friends, family and romantic partners, such that negative judgment invades almost all areas of the lives of people affected by obesity.

Stigmatization due to overweight and obesity: Gender differences in experiences of weight stigma

Although both men and women are vulnerable to weight discrimination, their experiences may differ with respect to how much discrimination they are exposed to and the forms that it takes. Most notably, women seem to experience higher levels of weight stigmatization than men, even at lower levels of excess weight. Research suggests that women, especially those who are middle aged or with lower levels of education, experience weight discrimination at significantly higher rates than male peers. Moreover, women report weight discrimination at lower levels of excess weight than men. For example, men tend to report considerable stigmatization at a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 35 or higher, whereas women report experiencing notable increases in weight discrimination at a lower BMI of only 27.

North American ideals of physical attractiveness, which emphasize thinness as central to feminine beauty, may account for some of these differences. Women whose bodies deviate, even slightly, from physical beauty standards may be vulnerable to weight stigmatization. Given that thinness ideals have become deeply ingrained into our society and are heavily promoted by the mass media, diet industry and fashion industry, it’s not surprising to see widespread weight stigmatization toward women, even if they are not “obese.”

For women, weight discrimination has been associated with poorer body image, low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, and a range of unhealthy eating behaviors, including binge eating.

Stigmatization due to overweight and obesity: Gender differences in children and adolescents

Young people are vulnerable to the negative social and emotional consequences of obesity. The magnitude of stigmatization always takes the shape of bullying and victimization which impacts adversely on their relationships, education and occasionally on their physical health. There has been an inconsistency in research findings to gender with some studies establishing that girls experience more weight-based victimization, reporting higher levels of teasing and being assigned more negative characteristics as a result of their weight than boys. Other research, however, has failed to find sex differences in vulnerabilities. It may be that differences are more apparent in the types of stigmatization experienced by boys and girls, rather than the quantity or amount of these experiences.

For instance weight-based bullying may be more predominant among boys who are affected by excess weight while girls may experience more weight-based victimization in the form of social exclusion from their peers.

As I had indicated above boys and girls who experience weight-based victimization are at increased risk for negative social and educational outcomes, however, these risks seem to be even more identical with girls who are overweight, display lower academic self-esteem and are significantly more likely to be held back a grade than boys. Girls are also more likely to experience negative psychological outcomes, like depression in response to experiences of weight victimization, and may endure more pronounced difficulties in interpersonal relationships with peers and dating partners in adolescence.

Research shows that adolescent and young adult women who are affected by excess weight have lower potential for romantic relationships compared to their non-overweight peers. However, for young men, being affected by excess weight may not be detrimental to dating and forming romantic relationships. In fact, it may even be associated with positive and desirable characteristics like strength and masculinity.

Finally the content of this article is not conclusive and certainly further studies are necessary to unlock and comprehend the nature and extent of gender differences in experiences of weight stigmatization. Even though it may appear for now that some differences may exist and more so ladies may have increased vulnerability in some areas compared to men. These are very useful tips which should be known by the various sector e.g. employers, learning institutions to help them intervene and bring this madness of weight stigmatization to a manageable levels. Doing all these may necessitate that you seek well guided professional advice from an experienced expert. These services are available at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center a facility founded by Doctor Akoury who is an expert in this line of obesity and has been helping people regain their lives back for the last two decades through a painless process by focusing on Neuroendocrine Restoration (NER) to reinstate normality through realization of the oneness of Spirit, Mind, and Body, Unifying the threesome into ONE. Calling doctor Akoury will be very helpful for you to sort out all your questions relating to weight gain and obesity in all aspect.

Stigmatization due to overweight and obesity: The effects it has on both genders

Facts about relationship between obesity and cancer

April 27, 2015

Facts about relationship between obesity and cancer: Obesity and Cancer Risk

Facts about relationship between obesity and cancer. This relationship has no good to offer to human health and must be prevented by all means

The common understanding of obesity is a condition where an individual person or persons has an abnormal high and unhealthy proportion of body fat. The measurement of obesity is often done using the BMI scale. This is believed to provide a more reliable and accurate measure of obesity or overweight as oppose to the use of weight alone. Now of what interest do we have in the ascertainment of peoples’ weight? This is because the prevalence of obesity and overweight is growing into a catastrophic situation and people’s health is at risk. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) is giving an estimation of about 68% in US alone as the adult population age 20 and above to be struggling with either obesity or overweight. With this impact and the complications that come with being obese or overweight, it has become necessary that both the professionals and the laymen take a position in fighting the scourge. To this effect, we want to discuss some of the facts about relationship between obesity and cancer with a view of creating awareness to the society to be on the look out of the consequences that are attached to these two conditions.

Facts about relationship between obesity and cancer: Obesity and Cancer

Experts have established that obesity is closely associated with increased risks of various types of cancer including the following among many others:

Esophagus
Pancreas
Colon and rectum
Breast (after menopause)
Endometrium (lining of the uterus)
Kidney
Thyroid
Gallbladder

According to of the studies done using NCI Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) data, estimated that in 2007 in the United States alone, about 34,000 new cases of cancer in men representing 4 percent and 50,500 in women representing 7 percent were due to obesity. Even though there were some cases attributed to obesity, there were some variances in the cancer types with endometrial cancer and esophageal adenocarcinoma being as high as 40%. Experts while analyzing this, could make a projection that if the trend continues as it is now, then in the next two decades the future health and economic burden of obesity will lead to about 500,000 additional cases of cancer. On the other hand, while analyzing the same findings, it was established that if the average adult was to reduce their BMI with just 1%, then this would translate into preventing an increase of the number of new cancer cases by about 100,000. That is how closely obesity is related to cancer.

In the meantime, we spoke to the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the able leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury and she says that several possible mechanisms have been suggested in the past to explain the association of obesity with increased risk of certain cancers. The following are some of the tabled suggestions:

Fat tissue produces excess amounts of estrogen, high levels of which have been associated with the risk of breast, endometrial, and some other cancers.
Obese people often have increased levels of insulin and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in their blood (a condition known as hyperinsulinemia or insulin resistance), which may promote the development of certain tumors.
Fat cells produce hormones, called adipokines that may stimulate or inhibit cell growth. For example, leptin, which is more abundant in obese people, seems to promote cell proliferation, whereas adiponectin, which is less abundant in obese people, may have anti-proliferative effects.
Fat cells may also have direct and indirect effects on other tumor growth regulators, including mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and AMP-activated protein kinase.
Obese people often have chronic low-level, or “sub-acute,” inflammation, which has been associated with increased cancer risk.

Other possible mechanisms include altered immune responses, effects on the nuclear factor kappa beta system, and oxidative stress.

Facts about relationship between obesity and cancer: Obesity and breast cancer

Many studies have shown that overweight and obesity are associated with an overbearing increase in risk of postmenopausal breast cancer. This higher risk is seen mainly in women who have never used menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) and for tumors that express both estrogen and progesterone receptors.

Overweight and obesity have, by contrast, been found to be associated with a reduced risk of premenopausal breast cancer in some studies.

The relationship between obesity and breast cancer may be affected by the stage of life in which a woman gains weight and becomes obese. Epidemiologists are actively working to address this question. Weight gain during adult life, most often from about age 18 to between the ages of 50 and 60, has been consistently associated with risk of breast cancer after menopause. The increased risk of postmenopausal breast cancer is thought to be due to increased levels of estrogen in obese women. After menopause, when the ovaries stop producing hormones, fat tissue becomes the most important source of estrogen. Because obese women have more fat tissue, their estrogen levels are higher, potentially leading to more rapid growth of estrogen-responsive breast tumors.

The relationship between obesity and breast cancer risk may also vary by race and ethnicity. However, there is limited evidence that the risk associated with overweight and obesity may be less among African American and Hispanic women than among white women.

Facts about relationship between obesity and cancer: Obesity and Endometrial Cancer?

Overweight and obesity have been consistently associated with endometrial cancer. This is the cancer of the lining of the uterus. Obese and overweight women have two to four times the risk of developing this disease than women of a normal weight, regardless of menopausal status. A number of studies have also found that the risk of endometrial cancer increases with increasing weight gain in adulthood, particularly among women who have never used MHT.

Although it has not yet been determined why obesity is a risk factor for endometrial cancer, some evidence points to a role for diabetes, possibly in combination with low levels of physical activity. High levels of estrogen produced by fat tissue are also likely to play a role. In conclusion to part with the prevalence of obesity and all the relationships we are observing with different kinds of cancers, we all have a duty to perform in the realization of good health. It begins with the mutual acknowledgement that these two conditions are a threat to our health. Up on that we can begin to talk to the experts both at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center and other institution where professionalism is practiced in offering treatment of the same. You can schedule for an appointment with doctor Dalal Akoury today and she will be there to help you overcome whatever challenge you may be having.

Facts about relationship between obesity and cancer: Obesity and Cancer Risk

Prevention of Cancer using Nutrition and Exercise

April 10, 2015

Prevention of Cancer using Nutrition and Exercise: The Experts opinion about Prevention

Prevention of Cancer using Nutrition and Exercise is very essential if we are to stop the vicious circle of transferring cancer from one generation to another.

It is estimated that a third of all cancer patients’ deaths are associated with diet and physical activity not just in the US but also globally. This is not a small number to be overlooked. The need to reduce the risk of development of certain types of cancers becomes very necessary. And because the association is majorly on the physical activities and diet, we must as well start the corrective measures from there. It is therefore very important that we get down to the business of addressing the prevention of cancer using nutrition and exercise professionally and immediately. Cancer is one of the most traumatizing diseases and having to go through the treatment procedures would be very difficult both physically and psychologically. We can avoid all this by doing all it takes to keep this disease away from our live. Owing to the nature of the disease, we may not be able to understand better what must be done as laymen. Therefore we are going to engage doctor Dalal Akoury who been in the medical practice for over two decades in the same discipline. Doctor Akoury is the MD and founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center and she has been instrumental in helping many people overcome their weight problems and you too can benefit from her expertise by scheduling for an appointment with her today.

Prevention of Cancer using Nutrition and Exercise: Body weight and cancer

Women who are overweight may have a greater risk for cancers of the breast (after menopause), endometrium, cervix and ovaries. The weight that is gained during adulthood may also increase the risk for cancer of the endometrium, and breast in postmenopausal women. Women who gain weight around their waistline are at great risk for these cancers. The body mass index (BMI) can indicate if a weight is healthy. The BMI is calculated using a person’s weight in relation to their height. A BMI chart is an easy way to look this up. A BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is healthy, BMI between 25 and 29.9 is overweight, and BMI of 30 and above is obese. Women should aim for a healthy BMI.

Prevention of Cancer using Nutrition and Exercise: Physical activity and cancer

From the various studies it has been established that physical activities whether moderate or vigorous are essential in lowering certain diseases including breast cancer risk. Being active is also capable of protecting women against post-menopausal breast cancer. Besides that physical activity may also help reduce the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, osteoporosis and diabetes. Doctor Akoury encourages that people need not to get scared of registering for exercise. She says that it is not all about working out that delivers result. In fact even that little that could easily go unnoticed is good enough to make a difference. Therefore for starters, it would be appropriate that they start slowly by going at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity every day. Moderate activities include dancing, brisk walking, and cycling. To help prevent excessive weight gain, 60 minutes or more of moderate activity every day, or 30 minutes or more of vigorous activity is suggested. Vigorous activities include jogging, running and tennis. However, as for much older women of over 50 years of age, with serious medical problems, it would be most appropriate for them to consult with their doctor before commencement of any intense physical activity program.

Prevention of Cancer using Nutrition and Exercise: Diet and cancer

When planning a healthy diet with cancer in mind, it is different from when you are doing the same for your daily feeding practice. For that kind of program to work effectively, it would be very important that you seek for the expert’s opinion. Doctor Dalal Akoury suggests the following guidelines:

Shun from taking foods and drinks rich in sugar – Food elements like sodas, sports drinks, fruit drinks, cakes, pies, and cookies are very high in empty calories and fat and low in important nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and fiber. They are not the type to go for under these circumstances.

Go for more of fresh produced foods of a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, peas, beans, lentils – A plant-based diet is made up of foods that come mostly from plants. Plant-foods are more wholesome and are rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and phytonutrients (plant nutrients). Phytonutrients help to protect the cells in the body from damage and help boost the immune system.

Limit processed meats and red meats – Processed meats are generally smoked, cured or salted. Processing of cold cuts, sausage, bacon, ham and hot dogs adds cancer-causing substances like salt or sodium nitrite. Studies have linked eating large amounts of processed meats with an increased risk of colorectal cancer. Health experts recommend that red meats like beef, lamb, and pork should be limited to no more than 18 ounces a week. If meat is part of the diet, it is better to eat lean meats, fish, poultry, or beans. Cook by baking broiling, poaching or steaming, instead of frying.

Avoid alcohol – Women who drink alcohol should drink no more than one drink a day (no more than two per day for men). One drink of alcohol is 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1½ ounces 80-proof distilled spirits. Drinking alcohol can cause cancers of the breast, mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, colon and rectum. Studies show that the risk for breast cancer increases, when the drinking of alcohol increases.

Limit the use of salty foods and foods processed with salt (sodium) – Too much salty may increase the risk of stomach cancer as well as high blood pressure. Salt in the diet should be less than 2,400 milligrams a day; about one teaspoon. Cut back on the added in cooking, and avoid salty foods and snacks.

Avoid using supplements for cancer prevention – Taking large doses of supplements may have serious side effects, especially if taken with certain medications. Women should also avoid taking soy pills, unless a doctor approves. In certain cases, a woman may need calcium or vitamin D supplements to prevent osteoporosis (brittle bones), but this should be prescribed by a doctor.

Phytonutrients and antioxidants – Studies have shown that food items from the vegetation (plants) contain thousands of phytonutrients that may have cancer fighting benefits. Plant foods are rich in antioxidants like vitamin A, C, E and beta carotene. These include cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, collard greens, kale, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts. Other excellent sources of phytonutrients are: Green tea, grapes, wine, berries, citrus fruits, apples, whole grains, soy, and nuts. Brightly colored vegetables and fruits are the best sources of phytonutrients. Since no single food can provide all of the health benefits to reduce cancer risk, it is best to eat a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans.

Prevention of Cancer using Nutrition and Exercise: The Experts opinion about Prevention

Tag Archives: obesity and cancer