In the United States, there are 32,000 McDonald's. 10,000 Wendy's. 36,000 Kentucky Fried Chickens, Taco Bells, Pizza Huts and Long John Silvers combined. Fast food in America combines with laziness to make obesity a major concern for Generation Y.
Millennials are tempted to indulge in a Big Mac for lunch, or fried chicken and french fries for dinner.
"Back in the day, our parents and grandparents ate more roast beef and corn, and they worked all day," Dr. Joseph A. Kuhn, bariatric surgeon at Baylor University Medical Center, said.
Fried food alone begins to explain why this generation struggles with being overweight, as opposed to generations past. It is more popular now than ever before, and most consumers fail to realize how dangerous it can be to their health.
Sitting in a desk for class and doing homework in the library for hours on end is leading this generation to cellulite and double chins at a rapid rate, with many students struggling to find a way out of the cycle. However, there are a few solutions Millennials can try to help offset fast food, exercise being one of them.
A sedentary lifestyle can be combated by finding an hour a day, morning or night, to work out. Run, walk, jump, hike, bike or swim. Virtually any physical activity will aid Generation Y in fighting this uphill battle with obesity, said Dr. Kuhn.
Processed foods also pose a problem. Being taught in high school health that vegetables and fruits are good and sweets are bad simply isn't enough. Millenials must realize that virtually all foods are processed, with the exception of fresh foods, meaning foods that don't contain additives. Kuhn suggests that fresh fruit, fresh vegetables and fresh meats should be implemented into today's diets, as they were in generations past.
Preservatives are dangerous as well. If food will keep in your fridge or freezer for more than a week, there is something in it that is preserving it. Millennials should be wary of foods they don't have to consume quickly. Sure, it's convenient for that frozen pizza to sit for a week or two until the time is right to eat it, but buying the dough, pizza sauce, and pepperonis to make it yourself is great for your cooking skills as well as your health.
When asked to list the main problems in eating habits today, Kuhn was quick to respond.
"Corn syrup is in everything," Kuhn said. "It increases the density of our foods and makes them harder to break down."
Members of Generation Y should make an effort to read the labels on the products they buy.
"If high-fructose corn syrup is in it, put it back," Dr. Jacquelyn Duke, lecturer for biology, said.
Technology has also affected this generation more than ever before. With digital video recorders, Facebook, YouTube and many other modern-day conveniences, members of Generation Y can be consumed by technology.
Previous generations spent their free time working or playing outdoors. Bowling, roller skating, and putt putt golf were things that previous generations did for enjoyment. The popular activity has since then morphed into sitting on the couch munching on popcorn watching the newest episode of "The Hills" or "Entourage."
While technology has advanced greatly throughout Generation Y's lifetime, so have divorce rates. Divorce affects not only the two involved, but often the children as well.
In a study performed by "Obesity: A Research Journal," a "significant" association was found between parents' divorce and childhood obesity. Divorce can directly affect eating habits, leading to such disorders as binge eating. Children often have to seek help later on to break the poor eating habits picked up during the hard times.
On the other hand, divorce can often motivate the now-single mom or dad to lose weight. Dating again and looking for that physical appeal and attraction to others is often more motivation that going to an obesity clinic for advice.
Dr. Fred Cummings, OBGYN at Presbyterian Hospital of Denton, has one simple recommendation to his patients.
With women coming in to see him daily, many ask him how they should go about losing weight.
"Fall in love," Cummings said.
The physical evaluation of oneself brought about by falling in love with someone is more motivation than you can find in a Zumba video or Hip Hop Abs. Wanting to look good for that special someone can encourage healthy eating habits as well as exercise.
"It's all about self-motivation," Starke, Fla. graduate student Elizabeth Johnson said.
Having lost nearly 100 pounds in the last two years, Johnson has much advice to give to the people of Generation Y interested in dropping anywhere from a few pounds to a few dozen pounds.
"How I lost weight was basically diet, exercise and portion control," Johnson said.
Starting out, an hour of cardio a day in combination with a well-restricted diet, the weight began to fall off.
Johnson weighed 237-pounds as a junior at Stetson University. When her boyfriend was headed to basic training, she wanted to lose a few pounds.
"My whole family is obese, and I could tell Jeremy was concerned about my health," Johnson said.
With Type-II diabetes and heart disease running in her family, she decided to be the generation to change the pattern.
Now approximately 100 pounds lighter, Johnson said she feels better than ever. Having an improved opera voice for singing, energy, and a more attractive body than before, Johnson said she maintains her weight now by calorie counting and 30-minute workouts every other night.
"I eat what I want within reason," Johnson said.
If millenials are willing to put forth the effort, these simple tips could help Generation Y's health.
Via : baylor.edu
Millennials are tempted to indulge in a Big Mac for lunch, or fried chicken and french fries for dinner.
"Back in the day, our parents and grandparents ate more roast beef and corn, and they worked all day," Dr. Joseph A. Kuhn, bariatric surgeon at Baylor University Medical Center, said.
Fried food alone begins to explain why this generation struggles with being overweight, as opposed to generations past. It is more popular now than ever before, and most consumers fail to realize how dangerous it can be to their health.
Sitting in a desk for class and doing homework in the library for hours on end is leading this generation to cellulite and double chins at a rapid rate, with many students struggling to find a way out of the cycle. However, there are a few solutions Millennials can try to help offset fast food, exercise being one of them.
A sedentary lifestyle can be combated by finding an hour a day, morning or night, to work out. Run, walk, jump, hike, bike or swim. Virtually any physical activity will aid Generation Y in fighting this uphill battle with obesity, said Dr. Kuhn.
Processed foods also pose a problem. Being taught in high school health that vegetables and fruits are good and sweets are bad simply isn't enough. Millenials must realize that virtually all foods are processed, with the exception of fresh foods, meaning foods that don't contain additives. Kuhn suggests that fresh fruit, fresh vegetables and fresh meats should be implemented into today's diets, as they were in generations past.
Preservatives are dangerous as well. If food will keep in your fridge or freezer for more than a week, there is something in it that is preserving it. Millennials should be wary of foods they don't have to consume quickly. Sure, it's convenient for that frozen pizza to sit for a week or two until the time is right to eat it, but buying the dough, pizza sauce, and pepperonis to make it yourself is great for your cooking skills as well as your health.
When asked to list the main problems in eating habits today, Kuhn was quick to respond.
"Corn syrup is in everything," Kuhn said. "It increases the density of our foods and makes them harder to break down."
Members of Generation Y should make an effort to read the labels on the products they buy.
"If high-fructose corn syrup is in it, put it back," Dr. Jacquelyn Duke, lecturer for biology, said.
Technology has also affected this generation more than ever before. With digital video recorders, Facebook, YouTube and many other modern-day conveniences, members of Generation Y can be consumed by technology.
Previous generations spent their free time working or playing outdoors. Bowling, roller skating, and putt putt golf were things that previous generations did for enjoyment. The popular activity has since then morphed into sitting on the couch munching on popcorn watching the newest episode of "The Hills" or "Entourage."
While technology has advanced greatly throughout Generation Y's lifetime, so have divorce rates. Divorce affects not only the two involved, but often the children as well.
In a study performed by "Obesity: A Research Journal," a "significant" association was found between parents' divorce and childhood obesity. Divorce can directly affect eating habits, leading to such disorders as binge eating. Children often have to seek help later on to break the poor eating habits picked up during the hard times.
On the other hand, divorce can often motivate the now-single mom or dad to lose weight. Dating again and looking for that physical appeal and attraction to others is often more motivation that going to an obesity clinic for advice.
Dr. Fred Cummings, OBGYN at Presbyterian Hospital of Denton, has one simple recommendation to his patients.
With women coming in to see him daily, many ask him how they should go about losing weight.
"Fall in love," Cummings said.
The physical evaluation of oneself brought about by falling in love with someone is more motivation than you can find in a Zumba video or Hip Hop Abs. Wanting to look good for that special someone can encourage healthy eating habits as well as exercise.
"It's all about self-motivation," Starke, Fla. graduate student Elizabeth Johnson said.
Having lost nearly 100 pounds in the last two years, Johnson has much advice to give to the people of Generation Y interested in dropping anywhere from a few pounds to a few dozen pounds.
"How I lost weight was basically diet, exercise and portion control," Johnson said.
Starting out, an hour of cardio a day in combination with a well-restricted diet, the weight began to fall off.
Johnson weighed 237-pounds as a junior at Stetson University. When her boyfriend was headed to basic training, she wanted to lose a few pounds.
"My whole family is obese, and I could tell Jeremy was concerned about my health," Johnson said.
With Type-II diabetes and heart disease running in her family, she decided to be the generation to change the pattern.
Now approximately 100 pounds lighter, Johnson said she feels better than ever. Having an improved opera voice for singing, energy, and a more attractive body than before, Johnson said she maintains her weight now by calorie counting and 30-minute workouts every other night.
"I eat what I want within reason," Johnson said.
If millenials are willing to put forth the effort, these simple tips could help Generation Y's health.
Via : baylor.edu
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