Media has done enough negative feedback to those who suffer obesity and to say that it is becoming a widespread disease, may be an explicit case of discrimination made in the propaganda of being forever thin. There have been many studies showing that obesity is not only unhealthy, but can be life-threatening as well.  There were even ways to stop the urge to eat, and loose weight the natural and safe way.

If that is not enough, obese people are facing the scrutiny of everyone and this can really bring a lot of emotional stress.  How many times do we even see overweight children being bullied around, just for gaining those extra pounds?

Surprisingly, obese people have found an ally in Canada’s top obesity doctor, Dr. Arya Sharma.  I was reading National Post’s Health section and I came across a very curious case.  Dr. Sharma claims that on contrary to popular belief, not all obese people are unhealthy.  Just because someone’s BMI fits the obesity scale doesn’t mean that person is sick.

Studies have shown that overweight people may be more prone to heart diseases, but they have more chances of surviving an attack.  This theory is based on monitoring high blood pressure among obese people who have higher volume of blood than lean people.  This means obese people have more room for blood flow than their thinner counterpart.

In the end, treating obesity like a disease may bring more disappointment than results.  There are better ways to give positive reinforcement to stay fit and healthy for life – than putting someone on the hot seat for those extra pounds.  It’s like asking someone to choose the lesser evil between the two: smoking or binge eating?

Be it called a modern disease or not, remember that having a normal, healthy weight doesn’t have to be size zero.  Take action.. Have that power to live a healthful life and the energy to live it to the max!

Summer is a time for quenching that thirst and it’s very tough to persuade kids to drink just the plain-tasting water, even if it’s ice cold.  Flavors are a must in juices, which both children and adults love.  That 100% real orange juice may cost a bit more than its powdered counterpart, but you’re assured to get that great taste without the risks of artificial sweeteners.

Cheaper juices are usually 95% less of the original stuff.  To make it taste like the real thing, artificial flavorings and high fructose corn syrup are added.  HFCS or High Fructose Corn Syrup are No. 1 sweeteners and sadly, unhealthy.  Studies have actually found a link with this sweet culprit to obesity.

This makes me remember the tale of Hansel and Gretel, only that there’s no evil witch to devour them.  Instead, this HFCS goes straight to your liver and tells your body to store more fat – which is a chain reaction of fattening events.  Cholesterol levels will rise and metabolism rate will drop, causing children to gain weight.

For whatever reason this potent flavor is created, I’m just sure that it makes you more thirsty or hungry, making you want to eat more of the bad stuff your body doesn’t need.  We can’t do anything about it, but we can be conscious shoppers.  It may take time to read food labels and yet, the reward is – priceless.