NetWellness Healthy Weight Center

Any Harm in Dieting if You`re Not Overweight?

Bonnie Brehm PhD, RD — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 13:03:00 EST

Question: Is there any harm in dieting if I don`t need to lose weight?

My employer is having a "Wellness Month" with prizes and stuff, and its all about losing weight.

I don`t need to lose weight, I am 5"2 113 lbs.

But I want to try to win some of the prizes. They have stuff like . . .

Answer: Weight loss is recommended for persons who are overweight or obese to decrease their risk of disease by adopting healthy lifestyle habits (nutrient-dense foods and regular physical activity). On the other hand, weight gain is recommended for persons who are underweight for the same reason - to . . .

Ask an Expert: Bonnie Brehm PhD, RD, Healthy Weight Center

Can I Ever be Normal?

Lisa Martin Hawver MD — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 23:02:00 EST

Question: I have been a yo-yo dieter for over 50 years.

The standard advice to "lose weight slowly" by "making small changes" and either decreasing my calories or increasing exercise simply doesn`t work for me. If I increase exercise and/or decrease my calories by, say, 500 calories p . . .

Answer: It sounds like you have had a long struggle with weight loss. It is a complicated process to "get healthy". I recommend that you set an appointment with your primary care physician to go over options for weight loss.

Ask an Expert: Lisa Martin Hawver MD, Healthy Weight Center

Excess protein in my diet

Bonnie Brehm PhD, RD — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 20:02:00 EST

Question: I am a woman in her late fifties who has tried about every type of weight loss program. My last attempt, I hope is a program that has a high concentration of proteins, including protein supplements. My physician is concerned because the last two ua tests show a high concentration of protein. I am in . . .

Answer: Research studies have shown that weight loss diets that are higher in protein may have beneficial effects on weight loss and maintenance of muscle mass. In addition, weight loss is associated with improvement in cardiovascular risk factors, such as blood pressure and blood lipids. However, there is . . .

Ask an Expert: Bonnie Brehm PhD, RD, Healthy Weight Center

Overweight

Ihuoma Eneli MD — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 18:02:00 EST

Question: I`m 13 and way overweight. I weigh 183.7 pounds. I need to Lose some weight but I don`t know exactly which diet to use. How can I lose weight to be healthy and physicaly fit?

Answer:

First of all, you should be proud of yourself for taking the first step towards a healthy lifestyle. It isn't always an easy thing to do. The best way to get to a healthy weight is to follow a balanced diet and watch your portion sizes, but check in with your doctor first. Your doctor will be abl . . .

Ask an Expert: Ihuoma Eneli MD, Healthy Weight Center

Weight Loss

Lisa Martin Hawver MD — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 14:02:00 EST

Question: I had a partial gastrectomy 50 years ago and lost almost 40 lbs. Had weighed 160. Last few years weight has been falling and now down close to 100 lbs. (height 5`9". What can be done. I seem to get very little nutrition from my food and I do generally eat quite well? I feel weekness much of the . . .

Answer: Weight loss after stomach surgery is common.� There can be different reasons for this.� You should see your primary physician and gastroenterologist for a physical evaluation and laboratory work-up.�

Ask an Expert: Lisa Martin Hawver MD, Healthy Weight Center

Starving Yourself

Jane Korsberg MS, RD, LD — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 22:01:00 EST

Question: If you want to lose weight and look lean, why not starve yourself so your body eats all the fat, and then once its gone, start slowly eating again while working out so your metabolism starts working properly again? I used to be extremely lean and toned in high school, and then my senior year, I gain . . .

Answer: If weight was the only thing of importance, that might work. However, good health is key. Starving your body depletes not only unwanted fat, but necessary nutrients (protein, carbohydrates, essential fats, vitamins and minerals). Starving also causes your metabolism to slow down (rather than speed u . . .

Ask an Expert: Jane Korsberg MS, RD, LD, Healthy Weight Center

Weight Problem

Rebecca Nguyen MS — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 16:01:00 EST

Question: I`m a 20 year old man. I`m 6 ft tall and weigh 100 kgs. Also i have unusually large hips for man which makes it look like that of a woman and is a center of fun wherever I go. people make a lot of fun out of me because of this. This lowers my self confidence and I feel depressed. Please suggest some . . .

Answer: If we eat more calories than we expend, the excess energy will be stored as fat. The abdomen is the worst place on the body to accumulate fat, as this is associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Although most men tend to gain excess fat around the midsection, it is not . . .

Ask an Expert: Rebecca Nguyen MS, Healthy Weight Center

I`m Overweight and Weak.

Sharron Coplin MS, RD, LD — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 16:01:00 EST

Question: I`m a 20 year old man from India. My diet is pure vegetarian. My problem is that I`m overweight but extremely week. I get tired pretty soon. But my main problem is that I dont have enough strength and energy to do work. For example: Even if I give my best, I can only swim at a speed half of that of . . .

Answer: Your tiredness could be because you are anemic due to either a B12 or iron deficiency. Vegetarians (especially vegans) are a little more prone to these two deficiencies. Go to your health care provider and have yourself tested. Your health care provider may have some other thoughts on why you are so . . .

Ask an Expert: Sharron Coplin MS, RD, LD, Healthy Weight Center

Weight and My Child

Jane Korsberg MS, RD, LD — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 18:01:00 EST

Question: My son is 10 years old height is 51.5 inches,weight is 86 pounds is he obese?

Answer: