The Real Cost of Obesity on your Health

Obesity is responsible for 9,000 premature deaths a year in England. It reduces life expectancy by, on average, 9 years. The Department of Health’s Change4Life campaign also advises that after quitting smoking, keeping a healthy body weight is one of the best ways to reduce your chances of getting cancer.

With all these home truths, why are so many people ignoring the real cost that obesity can have on their health?

Leading dietitian and Head of Weight Management Services at The Hospital Group, Cirian Marie-Beddoes, said: “One of the most prevalent health issues for the obese is diabetes. 2.5 million people in the UK suffer from Diabetes and a great proportion of those with Type 2 could be cured if they lost their excess weight. “Obesity is recognised as the main factor in contracting Type 2 diabetes, which can lead to further complications such as foot ulceration, nepthropathy, retinopathy and heart disease – all with serious risks and discomfort for the patient, but also costly to treat.”

Research published by the American Journal for Medicine showed that following obesity surgery, 87% of type 2 diabetics either saw a complete cure or improvement.

Cirian added: “We are in a recession, but eating out has become the norm – the team of dietitians at The Hospital Group find that obese families think nothing of popping out for all-you-can eat pizza or Chinese on a regular basis. “This is the root of the problem. People who maintain a clinically obese body weight have a habit of consuming body-builder levels of calories and of course that has to change with a restricted calorie intake. “But it’s also a case of looking at what makes up a person’s diet. You can consume 1,000 high-quality calories and blossom or the same number of calories in junk food and you’ll be ill.”

Via EPR Network
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Dr. Dominic O’Hooley To Be Featured In Upcoming Television Series

The Dental Clinic director, Dr. Dominic O’Hooley, has been announced as the featured celebrity dentist on the upcoming miniseries, Lorraine Kelly’s Big Slim: The Chawner Challenge.

Airing in January 2010, the new 6-part series follows two-time X Factor reject Emma Chawner and her family as they try to slim down.

Emma Chawner first caught the nation’s attention when she appeared on the X Factor in 2007 in a meringue dress, singing Celine Dion’s My Heart Will Go On. The 19-year old was rejected for both her look and voice by judge Simon Cowell.

Chawner returned two years later with her sister Samantha, 21, only to be rejected again.

Beyond her multiple appearances on the X Factor, Chawner and her family have also gained publicity for other reasons – weighing in at a combined total of 83 stones, the unemployed family has been claiming £22,500 in benefits, according to The Daily Mail.

The upcoming TV series, filmed over a period of five months, tracks the family as they undergo the ultimate makeover. From a diet and fitness regime, to close work with nutritionists, health and fitness experts, and life coaches, the entire programme is designed to provide the family with the opportunity to really change their lifestyle and outlook.

“We’ve designed a format that allows them to meet some of the best experts in the country to give them an opportunity to really change the way they live and how they feel about themselves, whilst providing some excellent entertainment in the process,” Paul Stead, executive producer for Daisybeck Productions, said, in an interview with Broadcast.

One of these experts appearing in the series is dentist Dr. O’Hooley who treated both Emma and her mother, Audrey, at The Dental Clinic in Leeds.

O’Hooley commented on the significance of dental treatments in such all-encompassing makeovers.

“A great smile can go a long way in providing someone with a real sense of confidence,” O’Hooley said. “It can affect the way that you feel about yourself, as well as the way that others perceive and respond to you.”

Though O’Hooley declined comment as to exactly what treatments Emma and Audrey received, he noted that he was happy to contribute to their makeovers.

“I think both Emma and Audrey are very happy with their new smiles, and I was glad to be able to provide them with something that can really contribute to their transformations,” he said.

About The Dental Clinic:
The Dental Clinic is the largest private provider of dental services in the UK, offering services ranging from general dentistry, to teeth whitening and cosmetic dentistry.

Via EPR Network
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