October 2, 2003

Unless you choose to alter your lifestyle for good, no amount of dieting will help you achieve weight loss, writes Maheen A. Rashdi

Being fat has never been in. Even though large derrieres may have gained some popularity (thanks to J Lo!) huge body proportions have always been looked upon as unsightly. Even average beauty standards demand that a comely woman can only be so described if her figure is worth looking at, or at least is proportionate.

With the market suddenly flooding with numerous weight reduction options, it is obvious that thinking minds have launched a business campaign to relieve people of the fat on their person (not to mention the one in their purses). There are now countless diet books, herbal tea mixtures, pills and numerous gyms presenting us with slimming techniques and they all have their own efficient and result oriented formulas.

It is essential for distressed individuals to recognize obesity as a severe health hazard above all else. But the prevalent battle of the bulge which most women and men are now combating is because being overweight is a high-ranking social stigma. If, like in the Hollywood film Shallow Hal, we could all really see the inner beauty of a person rather than the superficial appearance, then perhaps weight and other beauty problems would not be so complicated.

But unfortunately, reality is far harsher, and even if most fat people might look like Gwenyth Paltrow from the inside, it is the outer obese look which forms the lasting impression. No matter which way one looks, obesity cannot appear pleasant to the eye. It is one of those stigmas, which stick out like a sore thumb.

Bad skin, dark complexion and unattractive hair — all have concealing remedies, but oversized appearances cannot be hidden. In our culture — with its myopic categorization of the perfect bride — a young, gori chitti, dubli patli dulhan (fair and slim bride) is what most hopeful mothers-in-law are ‘preying’ for. And in the sordid race unendingly being run in the marriage mart, most overweight girls are passed over by inspecting mamas of the chand ka tukra grooms-to-be (may he be bald, fat and short). Aptitudes such as intelligence and good nature seldom bag a husband —the (insensitive) ultimate achievement for the parents of most young girls.

Whatever the social stigma may be for overweight women (I do wish they’d have the courage to tell all prying mothers-in-law-to-be to, ‘go take a walk on the moon and then stay there’) it is primarily for health reasons that obesity or being overweight should not be taken lightly.

A report suggests that losing weight is the second most difficult thing for people to accomplish — the most difficult is to quit smoking. But with multiple weight reducing options available, the will to lose weight is the important factor needed. Despite all sorts of available devices to help people loose weight, if the will weakens, the individual will dream up all sorts of excuses as to why he or she is unable to shed the extra pounds and whatever little measures that have been taken will also become ineffectual.

It is easier to maintain weight rather than lose it but it is of course easiest to put it on. A little laxity in eating habits coupled with lack of concern regarding exercise can turn someone from being slightly overweight to nearing obesity. And once that stage is reached it becomes more often than not a losing battle with diets, workout programmes and medications all rapidly overtaking each other, only to be left half way again.

These changing options usually result in turning the afflicted individual into a chronic dieter for whom nothing really changes. Quick shifts in weight loss methods basically render any course ineffective because of the inconsistency of the person in maintaining any one option relentlessly. An international survey carried out by Fleishman-Hillard Inc. confirmed that at least four out of 10 respondents in all locations around the world become discouraged and give up diet and exercise programmes within the first month. Few realize that modest weight loss of five to 10 per cent can result in meaningful health benefits. Only 15 per cent of survey respondents knew that sustained weight loss of just five to 10 per cent can significantly lose health risks of obesity.

Observers (without weight problems) perceive lack of will power to be the biggest challenge for those trying to lose weight. However, those having a weight problem cited a number of obstacles including feeling hungry, stress and lack of time, in addition to weak will power, as key barriers to weight loss.

In the face of a global obesity epidemic, people across the world are struggling to lose weight. The international survey which included more than 8,500 people from nine countries throughout Western Europe, Asia and Latin America showed that a substantial number of people who admit to having difficulty controlling their weight, abandon diet and exercise regiments after only one month. Despite making valiant efforts to lose weight they are not succeeding. Even those that claim success in the beginning, often gain the weight back.

According to people in the majority of the countries surveyed, giving up smoking, saving money and losing weight topped the list of the hardest things to do. The World Health Organization has now recognized obesity as a global public health issue and has identified it as one of the top global health risks.

Being obese and its negative health consequences are now so common that they are surpassing traditional public health concerns, such as, under nutrition and infectious disease, as some of the most significant contributors to illness. Obesity has been established as a major risk factor for the development of such serious medical conditions as, hypertension (high blood pressure), heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke and even some types of cancer.

The solemn advice to those struggling with weight problems and have experienced repeated failed measures is that they should first realize the seriousness of their condition and then make a conscious and steadfast decision to arrest the problem and seek medical guidance. As mentioned, almost all available options can be successful if they are followed resolutely and not abandoned halfway. Neither will crying about it help nor will ignoring it make it right. And though no one might end up as waif-like as Gwenyth Paltrow or as lean as Brad Pitt (who needs to look like these plastic dolls anyway?), but if such a fitness level is reached where one can carry out daily tasks without difficulty and health hazards are minimized, it would really be a creditable achievement.