(24-01-11) Carbohydrates and Its Role in Obesity

Obesity is a global epidemic with majority of the world?s population in
developed countries being over weight or obese!

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), obesity is rising globally
with over 1 billion overweight adults out of which 300 million people are
clinically obese. Obesity in itself is a disease that is responsible for many
conditions ranging from hypertension and stroke to type 2 diabetes and cancer.
It not only causes serious chronic illnesses, that reduce the quality of life,
but also increases the risk of premature deaths. Diet and nutrition are the
most significant factors responsible for an increased incidence in the number
of overweight or obese people.

Although genetic, metabolic, social, cultural as well as environmental factors
are associated with obesity, the major cause of obesity and increased weight is
the consumption of energy dense and high calorie foods such as fats and sugars,
in addition to decreased physical activity. This causes an energy imbalance or
an excess of energy, which is stored in the body as fat.



Studies show that the quality of carbohydrates, rather than the quantity,
determines whether a person gains weight and becomes obese. So, if you have a
tendency to gain weight, you should refrain from eating white bread, pasta,
chips, processed foods, cakes and cookies. This is because the high glycemic
index in those foods causes a sudden increase in blood sugar. This increased
blood sugar, if not utilized by the body, builds up as fat.

Similarly, processed carbohydrates or high calorie sugars predispose to the
development of diabetes and cardiac diseases, besides causing obesity. David
Ludwig, Director of the obesity program at Children?s Hospital Boston says that
the ?yo-yo effect? that the high glycemic index carbohydrates have on the blood
sugar stimulates fat production and inflammation, increases overall caloric
intake and lowers insulin sensitivity.

A fiber-rich diet is important in the control and management of obesity. Fiber
is a mixture of cellulose, lignin and polysaccharides called pentoses. It is
the part of plant food which is indigestible and does not provide any calories.
Fiber helps in the management of obesity as it provides bulk to food which
makes you feel fuller while reducing the calories consumed. High fiber not only
helps you to lose weight but prevents heart diseases as it reduces the
absorption of lipids, proteins and simple carbohydrates which are recognized as
risk factors. Certain pentoses present in fiber bind with cholesterol, thus
reducing its absorption from the intestine. Daily intake of 10-12 grams of
fiber is recommended. Fiber rich foods include wheat bran, whole wheat four,
peas, carrots and most of the leafy green vegetable

Source: http://www.medindia.net/patients/patientinfo/carbohydrates-and-its-
role-in-obesity.htm#ixzz1BVReO1uP

News

---

In evidenza

"L'informazione presente nel sito serve a migliorare, e non a sostituire, il rapporto medico-paziente."

Per coloro che hanno problemi di salute si consiglia di consultare sempre il proprio medico curante.