Weight Management to Promote Better Health

There seems to be a competition these days between US Australia and New Zealand for the most overweight population. The current statistics are approx 60% of the adult population and 25% of children
This is quite alarming as being overweight is linked to various diseases like Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, osteoarthritis and even dementia. The contribution of obesity to ill health is now greater than tobacco smoking.
Achieving weight loss is becoming harder because of the types of food available and the fact that portion sizes are increasing. Hamburgers are much bigger than 20 years ago and contain twice the calories. Popcorn at the movies is similar. Combine this with our sedentary lifestyle (more people watch sport than play)and the result is expanding waistlines
Fad diets do not work and can be the cause of actually putting on more weight as the body rebels against the feeling of starvation that usually accompanies these diets.
The most recent medically tested eating plan is based around moderate protein/low carbohydrate choices
Protein will give a feeling of satiety( i.e. it takes away hunger) and is necessary to maintain muscle mass. Some diets cause muscle wastage but muscle is necessary to burn fat. Protein will also change the metabolism of the body to burn fat instead of carbs. This is necessary for fat loss.
Low carbs are usually sourced from vegetables (low G.I.). The more variety the better (choose from the different colours available)
Healthy oils should also be included. These can be sources from nuts, fish and salad oils (e.g. Olive oil)
If you choose wisely  you will not go hungry. A well researched program will include 2 meals with a palm sized portion of lean protein and three handfuls of vegetables and 1 meal replacement (Balanced protein/carbohydrate) plus 2 snacks a day.
There are 21 meals available in the week if you stay with the program for 19 of those meals you can be a little naughty on the other two without consequences.
If you are following the eating plan closely then your body will produce ketones  in your urine(a small amount is good) and these should be tested for to make sure the program is steadily working and you are steadily losing fat (some diets will cause fluid and muscle loss and this is not good). When you lose fat it will not be just where it shows but it will slowly disappear from your internal organs. Many overweight people suffer from “fatty liver” and this means that your liver is not functioning properly to metabolize and process foods
Most weight loss programs will involve a stage where you will plateau. Various causes involve metabolic syndrome,  dysbiosis and stress to name a few. For this you will need access to professional help to overcome the problem
An exercise program is also necessary but has to be tailored to your current state of health
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