Dr. Kathy's Health & Weight Loss Guide

Does it really matter what we eat? After all, we’ve had low-fat, low-calorie food choices for years, and yet people are still overweight and dying of heart disease. Or is the problem that we have options, but we don’t make the best choices? Why do so many things get in the way of living and eating for a healthy lifestyle?

Think about the common health problems that your friends or relatives talk about when you are together. (Or maybe you avoid this discussion?) Then think about the relationship between lifestyle, everyday habits, and health.

The major health problems—heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, and obesity—are affected by what we put in our mouth and by how much we move our bodies.

• According to American Heart Association statistics, heart disease killed 945,836 Americans in 2000. Compare that number to other major causes of death: cancer, 553,091; accidents, 97,900; Alzheimer’s disease, 49,558; and HIV (AIDS), 14,478. Can you do something to prevent heart disease? Yes, through your diet and lifestyle. Cancer? Yes, through your diet. Accidents? Yes, through your lifestyle. Alzheimer’s? The answers are not yet clear. HIV? Yes, through lifestyle changes as well.

• According to American Diabetes Association statistics, there are approximately 20 million Americans who are diabetic. The unfortunate thing is almost half of these people don''t know it! The life expectancy of diabetics can be shortened by one third. However, early diagnosis and lifestyle changes can substantially increase life expectancy. This disease is the third leading killer in this country—behind heart disease and cancer.  The prevalence of diabetes is particularly high in minority populations including American Indians, Hispanic/Latino Americans and African Americans. Can you do something to prevent diabetes? In most cases, yes—especially with Type 2 diabetes.

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• High blood pressure is another silent but deadly health problem that many people don’t know about. It is estimated that one in four U.S. adults have high blood pressure. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to stroke, heart attack, heart failure, or kidney failure. Can you do something to prevent high blood pressure? Yes!

• Obesity now affects between 55% and 61% of our population. More than 300,000 Americans die prematurely each year from obesity-related disease. Obesity costs the United States $120 BILLION each year.

Can you do something to prevent obesity? Yes.

There are actually pretty simple lifestyle and eating modifications to prevent the above problems. Is it a surprise to learn that nearly 40% of adults never exercise? Our health conditions are a result of our lifestyles. The good thing is that we can all choose to do something about the behaviors that affect our health! Part of the answer, as you have heard many times, is eating a healthy diet and exercising.

Education can play an important role in making changes. First we need to be made aware of factors that will influence our health. Then we need to make the personal choices! This book was written to provide you with the information and motivation to make healthy choices in your food choices as well as your lifestyle choices.