Archive for the ‘Nutrition’ Category

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Your Weight Matters Because It’s Your Health!

Wednesday, March 24th, 2010

YWM Logo

A National Public Awareness Campaign Brought to You by the OAC

Your Weight Matters is a National web-based awareness campaign proudly produced and presented by the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC). The goal of the campaign is to get the public talking about weight as it relates to their health and to challenge each and every American to talk to their doctor about their weight.

Why Does My Weight Matter?

Weight and health go hand-in-hand. Many Americans are not aware of the health risks associated with excess weight and how weight plays a key role in their health. That’s why it’s important for YOU to get involved in the Your Weight Matters Campaign, assess your weight and talk to your doctor!

What the Campaign Offers

The web-based campaign has all the information you need:

• Tools to measure your weight
• Health risks associated with weight
• Health and wellness tips
• A section dedicated just to kids
• And much more!

Get Started and Take the Challenge

The easy-to-navigate web site guides you step-by-step through measuring your weight and gives you tips for talking to your doctor. Once you take the challenge, you will receive a link to the e-toolkit which includes:

• Sample questions to ask your doctor
• Questions your doctor may ask you
• Food log journal
• Health and wellness quick tips
• Helpful resources
• BMI chart for adults
• And much more!

About the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC)

The OAC is a National nonprofit charity dedicated to helping those affected by obesity. The OAC brings together individual struggling with weight and provides educational and advocacy resources.

TAKE THE CHALLENGE! Visit www.yourweightmatters.org today and take the Campaign challenge!

The Surgical Specialists of Louisiana is a proud supporter of the Walk From Obesity, whose funds support the OAC. In addition, Laura Boyer, RN, CBN, and Director of Clinical Systems for the Surgical Specialists, is a previous Advisory Board Member for the OAC. Laura and James Redmann, MD, FACS, are contributing authors to the OAC.

Learn more about the Surgical Specialists of Louisiana. You can get more information on weight loss surgery such as gastric banding, gastric bypass or medically supervised weight loss programs by contacting one of our patient advocates today. The Surgical Specialists of Louisiana are committed to helping you reach your weight loss goals. Register for a free seminar and see which one of our weight loss programs has proven to be the most effective for resolving weight related health conditions.

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Why Sugar Alcohols Matter

Friday, February 19th, 2010

Knowing what’s in the food you eat is just as important, if not more important, that eating well. Weight loss success is extremely dependent on monitoring food content and ingredients, such as various types of sugar alcohols. Make sure you know what you are putting into your body by reading food labels. The following article, written by Kate H. Roundtree, LDN, RD will help you better understand one mystifying nutritional element: sugar alcohols. Kate works with the Surgical Specialists of Louisiana at their Lafayette office.

Sugar Alchohols: How do they fit in?

Kate H. Rountree, LDN, RD

sugarWhen learning how to read food labels, one topic of interest that patients continuously question is sugar alcohols. The population wants to know what these products are, why are they used, and how much is too much. Sugar alcohols can be consumed, but in moderation because they can cause unpleasant gastrointestinal side effects. Therefore, it is important to understand how to use these products and also where to find information on content when looking at food packaging.

Sugar alcohols are chemically formed sweeteners that can be found in many sugar free and no sugar added food products (candies, gum, baking mixes, ice cream, cookies, etc). These products are formed from naturally occurring sugar found in fruits, plants, and trees and contain approximately ½ the sweetness and calories of sugar that “regular” product have. The common names, which can be found in the ingredient list of food packaging, are mannitol, sorbitol, isomalt, lactitol, maltitol, erythritol, and xylitol.

Sugar alcohols are used to add sweetness with fewer calories. They are typically used in combination with high intensity artificial sweeteners (NutraSweet®, Splenda®, aspartame, etc) to offset the unpleasant after taste. They can also be used as a bulking agent in certain foods.

Sugar alcohols can be problematic when consumed in abundance because they are only partially absorbed by the small intestine. The amount absorbed is dependent on the particular sugar alcohol ingested. Sugar alcohols not absorbed by the small intestine reach the colon and are fermented by bacteria and produce gases; sugar alcohols are incompletely metabolized by humans. Incomplete absorption can lead to abdominal bloating, cramping diarrhea, and flatulence. It is important to remember that the more sugar alcohol is consumed the more intense the symptoms can be.

The pros to using sugar alcohols include:

• Contains less calories than sugar
• Causes only a slight rise in blood sugar verses a large rise when using real sugar
• Does not cause tooth decay
• Improves texture of foods
• Retains moisture in foods
• Prevents foods from browning when heated

The cons to using sugar alcohols include:

• Poorly absorbed by the body, causing GI distress, when consumed in large concentrations
• Weight gain, if overeaten
• Hypoglycemia may result in diabetics if insulin dosage is dependent on specific amount of carbohydrate consumed since sugar alcohols are used when calculating total carbohydrate content

The United States Federal Drug Administration outlines specific instructions when labeling food packaging. In the instance of sugar alcohols products labeled as “no sugar added” or “sugar free” may still contain sugar alcohols, so it is vital to always read the nutrition label on all processed foods, especially those labeled “no sugar added” or “sugar free.” Consider the serving size and the amount of sugar alcohol per serving and keep in mind that as little as 10 gm of sugar alcohols can cause GI symptoms.

Understanding the pros and cons of sugar alcohols is a key ingredient in the recipe to weight loss success. Weight loss is a lot of hard work, but knowing all of the important ingredients and factors will make your weight loss success that much easier. Next time you are at the grocery store, pay attention to the labels and use the new tools you are now equipped with to make smart, weight loss motivated, decisions. If you seek professional help, contact the Surgical Specialists of Louisiana. Their medically supervised MyWeight™ weight loss program can help you become a healthier, happier you!

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Sugary Beverages and Their Link to Childhood Obesity

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010

There has been a lot of controversy lately regarding soda, sugary drinks and their link to obesity.  Some lawmakers have even proposed extra taxes on these beverages to help curb the problem.  In this article, printed with permission of the Obesity Action Coalition, Dr. Rodrick D. McKinlay discusses the role liquid calories play in obesity among children.

Childhood Obesity: The Link to Drinks

sugary_drinksChildhood obesity rates have doubled throughout the past 30 years in the United States for children ages 2-5 and 12-19, and tripled in the age group of 6-11. Obesity for children is defined as a body mass index (BMI) at or above the 95th percentile for similar age and gender youths1.

Social and Environmental Pressures

Many social and environmental pressures lead to greater obesity in children. Chief among these influences is the wide variety and availability of sugar-sweetened drinks that contain little to no nutritional value. These beverages include:

•    Soft drinks
•    Sports drinks
•    Fruit drinks
•    Flavored teas and coffees
•    Energy drinks

Throughout the past 10-15 years, these drinks have exploded on to the consumer scene, flooding grocery stores, gas stations, convenience stores and vending machines.

Americans have doubled their consumption of soda pop in the last 25 years, a trend that closely follows the obesity epidemic. The average American drinks 1.6 cans of soda pop a day, more than 500 cans a year. Soda drinking is particularly rampant among teenagers. Data indicates that soft drinks account for 13 percent of a teenager’s caloric intake – by far the largest source of calories in his or her diet. For decades, milk was the most common beverage consumed by children, but by the mid-1990’s, boys and girls were drinking twice as much soda pop as milk.

One recent, independent peer-reviewed study from Harvard demonstrated a strong link between consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and childhood obesity2. Although some studies conflict regarding the causality between sugar-sweetened beverages and obesity, a number of research studies confirm the Harvard group’s findings that increased soft drink and sugar-laden beverage consumption is a risk factor for obesity3.
Not only do sugar-sweetened drinks likely lead to obesity, they are also associated with tooth decay and weakening bones.

Energy Drink Emergence

In the past decade, energy drinks have exploded into the marketplace. In 2006 alone, 500 new energy drinks were launched. Energy drinks, which typically contain large amounts of sugar and caffeine, are equally if not more dangerous to children. Although the target market for energy drinks is young adults aged 18-35, teenagers are consuming significant quantities of these beverages.

Caffeine by the Can

The amounts of caffeine found in such drinks as Red Bull or Rock Star are about 10 grams per ounce. With that in mind, take a look at the amount of caffeine found in other beverages:

•    Red Bull (8.3 oz can) = 83 grams
•    Rock Star (16 oz. can) = 160 grams
•    Coca-Cola Classic (12 oz. can) = 34.5 grams
•    Pepsi-Cola (12 oz. can) = 38 grams
•    Coffee (8 oz. cup) = 57 grams

Most experts recommend that children consume well under 100 grams of caffeine per day.

Effects of Caffeine on Children

Pharmacologic effects of caffeine are notable in children, most commonly seen as hyperactivity, sleep disturbances and restlessness. Drinking large amounts of caffeine can also be associated with high blood pressure and frequent headaches.

Researchers have reported that a new practice among college-age students is the simultaneous consumption of energy drinks and alcohol, which allows greater consumption of alcohol since alertness is perpetuated by the energy drink4. In addition, the sugar content of energy drinks is comparable or higher than most soft drinks. For example, an 8 oz Red Bull contains 27 grams of sugar and a 16 oz Rock Star has 60 grams of sugar, while the typical non-diet soft drink contains 40-45 grams of sugar.

How to Combat the High-calorie Beverage Craze

So what can be done to limit the amount of nutritionally-poor liquid calories that children and adolescents are consuming? On an individual-basis, the best approach is simply to replace soda and sports drinks with water or low-fat milk in children’s diets. Water is the best hydrator available. Low-fat milk not only hydrates, but delivers calcium, protein and vitamin D.

Children should be monitored at home with their choice of liquids. A glass of 100 percent fruit juice per day is beneficial, but excessive soda, sport drinks or energy drinks is unhealthy. What happens at school may be out of the immediate control of a parent, but parents can petition the school to eliminate vending machines that sell soft drinks and energy drinks in favor of bottled water.

Moderation in guiding children, of course, is appropriate. Children who are constantly deprived of treats are more likely to binge eat or drink. Also, parental modeling is important. Studies suggest that children who are raised by parents who exert excessive dietary restraint may be more likely to become obese5.

Children possess the ability to internally regulate their caloric intake. If they see their parents struggle with alternating dis-inhibited eating (abandoning the effort to control food or drink intake) and restrained eating (conscious decision to restrict intake to control weight), they may pattern their own eating and drinking behavior after their parents instead of allowing their internal energy regulation to guide them. This in turn seems to lead to greater obesity in children.

Conclusion

Parents should adopt healthy eating and drinking patterns, limiting consumption of soft drinks and other sugar-sweetened drinks, and to do so without obsession. Helping children develop a love for the refreshing taste of water or a cold glass of milk will pay immediate health rewards for children as well as dividends for their future health and weight control.

This article first appeared in the OAC News Vol.5/ Issue 1 October 2009.  Reproduced with permission from Obesity Action Coalition. Please visit www.oac.org

The Surgical Specialists of Louisiana are committed to helping our patients achieve a healthy lifestyle and a healthy weight. Whether you are interested in weight loss surgery or medically supervised weight loss counseling, we can help you take control of your eating and your weight. Join us for a free seminar or take a weight loss quiz to help you get started.

References:

•    Childhood Obesity in the United States: Facts and Figures, Fact Sheet 2004, Institute of Medicine.
•    Ludwig et al, Relation between consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks and childhood obesity: a prospective, observational analysis. Lancet 2001; Feb 17; 357 (9255):505-8.
•    Wolff et al, Medscape J Med 2008; 10(8):189.
•    Malinauskas et al, Nutrition Journal 2007; 6:35.
•    Hood et al, International Journal of Obesity 2000; 10:1319-1325.

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Food Labels – A Primer: Part Two

Tuesday, January 26th, 2010

Nutirtion facts

Are you taking the time to learn what exactly is in the food you eat? Last week the Surgical Specialists of Louisiana shared the first part of a feature article by Jacqueline Jacques, ND that explained the types of items consumers should look for in a food label. This week are are pleased to share the conclusion of this article and reprinted with the permission of the Obesity Action Coalition.

The Nutrition Facts Box

If you know what to look at, the Nutrition Facts Box actually provides a lot of information.
Nutrition Information that Should be Present in the Nutrition Facts Box

Mandatory Items:

• Total calories
• Calories from fat
• Total fat
• Saturated fat
• Trans fat
• Cholesterol
• Sodium
• Total carbohydrate
• Sugars
• Protein
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin C
• Calcium
• Iron

Non- mandatory items that should be included:

• Calories from saturated fat
• Polyunsaturated fat
• Monounsaturated fat
• Potassium
• Dietary fiber
• Soluble fiber
• Insoluble fiber
• Sugar alcohol (i.e. xylitol, mannitol and sorbitol)
• Other carbohydrate (difference between total carbohydrate and sum of dietary fiber, sugars, and sugar alcohol if declared)
• Percent of vitamin A present as beta-carotene
• Other essential vitamins and minerals

From the top of the box, you can start by looking at the serving size and the number of servings in a container. For products like bread, where the serving is usually one slice, this is typically easy to understand. For foods that don’t come in neat portions, consumers often do not use the serving size that the manufacturer recommends.

A great example is cereal. For many cereals, the serving size is 1/3 to 1/2 cup. That’s about a medium handful for most adults – and it doesn’t even come close to filling your cereal bowl. When pouring cereal, many of use three to four times the “serving” size. Same goes for foods like juice, pasta, chips, crackers, nuts, ice cream and other things where the serving size may differ a lot from what most people eat.

Two examples that I find bothersome are bottled drinks and nutrition bars. Many bottled drinks (from juice to soda) and packaged bars that look like single servings are actually 1 ½ to 2 servings per container. So, if you eat the entire contents of the package, you need to multiply the calories, fat content, etc by 1.5 or 2 to know what you are actually eating.

Everything else in the Nutrition Facts box is based on a single serving of the product – not on the amount that you typically eat. As you move through the box, keep this in mind. If you are trying to limit calories, fat, salt (sodium) or cholesterol, you can now much more easily know how much you are getting. If you want to make sure you get enough protein or fiber every day, you can see that as well.

Finally, you can also use the box to know how much iron, calcium, vitamin A and vitamin C you are getting each day. Other nutrients such as B-vitamins, vitamin E, D, K, and most minerals are not required, but can be listed voluntarily by the manufacturer.

You also see some percentages (%) in the Nutrition Facts box. These percentages tell you that for the listed nutrients how much of the Recommended Daily Value you get with a serving of that food. The Daily Value (DV) is the suggested amount of a nutrient (a vitamin, mineral, protein, fat, fiber or carbohydrate) that you should get each day. The Percent Daily Value (% DV) is the amount of that nutrient you should get based on an assumed calorie intake. For all nutrients, if they provide 5 percent or less of the DV, the food is low in that nutrient; if they provide 20 percent or more, they are high in that nutrient.

The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) generally assumes an intake of 2,000 calories for an average adult. Optionally, the manufacturer can show you percentages based on an intake of 2,500 calories as well. Also voluntary, but commonly shown, are the number of calories per gram of fat, carbohydrate and protein.

The Ingredients

The Nutrition Facts box is helpful, but the information in it is still limited. Foods are also required to have a complete listing of all the ingredients that they contain. This is required for all foods that have more than one ingredient. Usually this information is listed directly below or adjacent to the Nutrition Facts box. Ingredients are listed by weight.

While fewer ingredients don’t always make a healthier food, it is not uncommon to find that foods with long, complicated ingredient lists contain more additive, more fillers and more non-nutritional ingredients.

By reading this list carefully, it can help you to compare not just the simple nutrition facts in the box, but also the quality of your food. You might be amazed when you start to compare foods like catsups, breads, soups and more just how much variation there is for individual types of foods.

Allergens

The newest label regulations require specific information for ingredients that have been identified as potentially harmful allergens. The allergens that must be declared on food labels are:

• Milk
• Eggs
• Fish (e.g., bass, flounder, cod)
• Crustacean shellfish (e.g., crab, lobster, shrimp)
• Tree nuts (e.g., almonds, walnuts, pecans)
• Peanuts
• Wheat
• Soybeans

Manufacturers can declare the source of the ingredient directly in the ingredient list, or they can place this information in a separate statement following the ingredient list. (This will usually be preceded by the phrase “This product contains…”) While wheat is on this list, many medical authorities have commented that gluten is not, and perhaps should be. The FDA is currently reviewing the criteria for adding gluten to this list as well as looking to clearly define “gluten-free.”

Nutrient Content Claims and Health Claims

It is becoming increasingly common for manufacturers to market health claims about their food. Whether it is margarine that helps your heart, cereal that lowers cholesterol or simply something that is “healthy” compared to the other choices on the shelf. You might be surprised at how regulated this language is by the FDA.

A nutrient content claim is one that tells you that compared to a similar food, the food from brand X is lower in something (like fat or sugar), free of something (like sodium or cholesterol) or provides a better than average source of a nutrient (like calcium or protein). Virtually every term from “light” to “high” has a strict definition that manufacturers must meet to use the term, or they risk serious penalties and fines.

Actual health claims for foods are extremely limited. To date, there are only 12 that the FDA has allowed, though they are considering others. In addition, there are two approved claims based on authoritative statements from scientific bodies that are allowed. One is for whole grains, heart disease and cancer and states: “Diets rich in whole grain foods and other plant foods and low in total fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease and some cancers.”

This article first appeared in the OAC News Vol.2/ Issue 3 April 2007 Reproduced with permission from Obesity Action Coalition. Please visit www.oac.org

The Surgical Specialists of Louisiana are committed to helping our patients achieve a healthy lifestyle and a healthy weight. Whether you are interested in weight loss surgery or medically supervised weight loss counseling, we can help you take control of your eating and your weight. Join us for a free seminar or take a weight loss quiz to help you get started.

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New Non-Surgical Weight Loss Program of Louisiana

Wednesday, November 4th, 2009

tape measureThe Surgical Specialists of Louisiana have always been concerned with obesity and the illnesses that affect people who are fighting the weight loss battle. Since 2001, SSL has offered weight loss surgery options and our patients have enjoyed long term success. So, who can better lead the fight against obesity? The Surgical Specialists are excited to announce our new program called MyWeightTM.

MyWeightTM is a medically supervised non-surgical weight loss program that offers a variety of options and focuses on individualized plans. There are three phases to this program. Patients can decide which phase or phases work best for them.

1. Physician Supervised Program
2. Nutritional Counseling and Products
3. Physical Program

The staff at MyWeightTM will lead you through a simple and customized approach to successful weight loss, based on your weight loss goals and your lifestyle.

The first phase of the MyWeightTM Individualized Weight Loss Solution Program is an initial patient consultation with a medical team member and the physician. A review of your health history will allow them to formulate a plan just for you. This plan may include FDA-approved appetite suppressants, dietary changes, injections to boost your energy and regularly scheduled follow up visits. We will walk with you through your weight loss journey. We want you to succeed and will provide ongoing weight loss support and resources to help you.

Proper nutrients are the fuel for your body to function every day. The second phase of the MyWeightTMProgram consists of Nutritional counseling and guidance on caloric intake, supplements, grocery shopping, and cooking for healthy eating. Our free cookbook offers easy-to-prepare, wonderful, low-calorie recipes.

Physical focus is a key part of an overall wellness program and, for some, this can be the most difficult phase. As part of the MyWeightTM program, you will receive one free session with a Personal Trainer. Our fitness expert will direct you through an exercise routine that will be fun, not work! As you gradually increase your exertion, your muscle mass will increase, and we all know that muscle burns fat!

MyWeightTM is a multi-level weight loss program focusing on the Medical, Nutritional, and Physical components for a healthy lifestyle. Contact us or call today at 985-640-8255 to schedule your initial visit.

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The Obesity Epidemic

Wednesday, September 30th, 2009

It comes as no surprise that the United States is suffering from an obesity epidemic. Over the past thirty years, the number of Americans classified as overweight or obese has, according to the CDC, nearly doubled. Today about 21.6% of adults in the United States are obese1.

Overweight and obesity are terms used to identify ranges of weight that are greater than what is generally considered healthy. Obesity is classified as having a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or greater. Obesity increases the likelihood of certain diseases and health problems such as diabetes, hypertension and sleep apnea. These associated health conditions are often referred to as comorbidities. Obesity is also associated with a shocking 400,000 deaths each year.

Obesity MapYou may have seen the CDC’s colorful maps that visually depict how obesity is sweeping the nation – the maps redden and darken with each passing year. In 2008, only Colorado had an obese population of less than 20%. Here in Louisiana, nearly 30% of the adult population is now classified as obese1.

But adult obesity isn’t the only cause for concern. According to The New England Journal of Medicine, for the first time in two centuries, the current generation of children may have a shorter life expectancy than their parents. This is due mainly in part to the obesity epidemic and subsequential increase in comorbid conditions, such as Type II diabetes, among children and adolescents. Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) shows that the incidence of obesity has increased to 12.4% for children aged 2 to 5 years and to roughly 17% for those aged 6 to 19 years3.

The CDC’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) has also found a correlation between obesity and racial/ethnic groups. African Americans have the highest rates of obesity – a 51% higher prevalence compared to Caucasians, while Hispanics have a 21% higher prevalence1. More information about obesity and its impact on health can be found in our Weight Loss Learning Center.

These statistics may seem daunting but rest assured – there is good news! Surgical Specialists of Louisiana offers many options to help you lose weight, keep it off and improve your health. We offer laparoscopic weight loss surgery, such as gastric bypass, incisionless weight loss procedures and even a personalized non-surgical medically supervised weight loss program. You can attend one of our free seminars to learn more, or contact us to request a confidential phone call.

1 CDC: “U.S. Obesity Trends 1985 – 2008.” Available at http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/
data/trends.html. Accessed Sept 15, 2009.

2. Weight-Control Information Network (WIN); an information service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). Statistics related to overweight and obesity. June 2007. Available at http://win.niddk.nih.gov/statistics/index.htm. Accessed Sept 15, 2009.

3. CDC: “Childhood Overweight and Obesity”. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/
childhood/index. Accessed Sept 15, 2009.

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Bariatric Patient Spotlight: Chad Soileau

Thursday, September 10th, 2009

CSolieau3Chad Soileau’s goals started simply – fit in a size large shirt, walk one mile, be comfortable wearing a belt. But, as he rapidly crossed these achievements off his list, he set his sights on something greater—to compete in the Ironman World Championship in Kona Hawaii.

Before undergoing Roux-n-Y gastric bypass surgery with the Surgical Specialists of Louisiana, Chad had difficultly performing simple daily tasks such as walking or tying his shoes. He was forced to exit a roller coaster at a local amusement park because he could no longer fit in the seat. He was even required to turn down a promotion to 1st Lieutenant in the Army because he was on their weight control program. But it was a visit to the doctor’s office that made him finally take action. “The simple fact was I would be dead in 5 to 10 years if I didn’t do something” said Chad on his website www.team464.com, named fittingly after his pre-op weight of 464 pounds.

Soileau lost 100 pounds following his surgery in 2006 and dedicated himself to losing the remaining 162 pounds through a controlled diet and intense exercise regime. He has since participated in over 20 triathlons all over the United States as well as numerous 5-K and 10-K races.

The Ironman World Championship only accepts entrants via lottery but Chad has applied for one of two “media slots” that will allow him to attend and have his story told. If chosen, his competition would include a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride and conclude with a full marathon—a 26.2 mile run. Quite a feat for someone who once believed he had hit the point of no return!

Soileau wants potential patients to understand that weight loss surgery is not the easy way out. “It’s not a magic bullet, it’s only a tool. You have to make a commitment to eating right after your weight loss surgery and exercising”.

While his ultimate goal is the Kona race, Chad has already registered for the Ironman Florida scheduled for November 7th. In the rare event that he is selected for the World Championship, Chad will compete in two Ironman triathlons in two months!

“My triathlon journey didn’t start when I got on the bike for the first time or when I ran the first 100 meters from my driveway to the stop sign down the street. My journey to Iron started when I was booted off that roller coaster for being too big; it started when I stared in dismay at the number 464 on the scale; it started when I lost my commission in the Army; it started when I finally realized that it was time to make a change!”

Our team at The Surgical Specialists of Louisiana wishes Chad Soileau the best of luck and looks forward to updating you on his progress.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlFayW-dVwA&NR=1

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