Nutritional Requirements

Energy Balance and Weightloss

The amount of energy required by the body depends on the age, weight and the activity level. The more active you are the more energy is required to keep your body in its normal functional state. Energy is supplied from carbohydrates,protein and fats.

Energy utilisation is based on an understanding of the following rules:

• Energy utilisation operates in accordance with the 'energy equation': Energy intake= BMR + TIF + TEA +/- Fat Storage; where BMR is basal metabolic rate( minimum energy required to maintain life by keping the heart and lungs and all other relevant cells alive and functional even in the sleep state); TIF is the thermal effect of food( energy required for food processing, transport and storage) and TEA is the thermal effect of activity(energy burnt during human movement and activity). The more active you are the more the energy demands.
• The supply of energy for use in the body comes from release from the liver, from the circulating blood, from muscle depots, and from fat depots.
• The body stores extra energy in the form of fat not because the individual has eaten too much fat, but because it is more economical to store extra energy in the form of fat than carbohydrates.
• It is easier for the body to store extra energy in the form of fat than it is to release stored fat for utilisation.
• The brain coordinates the storage of fat for many reasons including being a source of energy supply in the event of an emergency, when one is unable to feed (such as the state of unconsciousness).
• The amount of fat stored depends on the rate of excess food is eaten, and the rate of fat utilisation.
• The rate of fat utilisation is under strict regulation and it's ease of release is similar to the process involved in the payment of an insurance claim compared to the demand for premium payment by the insurance company.
• Except there is a long term increase in the energy demands in the form of TEA as explained above, which must indeed be over and above a critical level of work load, the brain will simply adjust BMR and TIF figures without touching the stored fat. This explain why weight loss appears difficult especially when you don't understand the physiology.
• Reducing energy intake or dieting alone (which can never be part of a permanent lifestyle) will never touch the formal release for fat utilisation, hence any weight loss achieved will return sooner or later.
• Exercise alone expecially low intensity such as walking cannot induce the release of the 'under lock and key store of fat'.

The secret behind sustainable weight loss is understanding the principles outlined in the above mentioned rules. Why don't you register and book for your appointment with Dr Ben's Sustainable Weight Loss programme for a personalised application of these principles that will empower you to your dream health.

Shocking Truth About Weight Management

• Healthy eating is not about what you did not eat but how much you have eaten
• Junk food is not necessarily 'fish and chips', or burgers, but it is any food eaten over and above your daily requirement (it does it matter whether you call it healthy or not)
• Potato chips are not necesarily unhealthy food but can be part of a healthy/balanced diet.
• 'EAT AS MUCH AS YOU CAN' is a very dangerous statement and should not be encouraged.
• "EAT AS MUCH AS YOU SHOULD" must be preferred.

Dangers of Childhood Obesity

The nutritional requirement for children and adults are obviously different. The growing child crucially needs adequate nourishment for all structures including the brain and bones to develop appropriately, which has long term effects on the child's functional ability.

Childhood obesity is on the increase because children are less active these days as they sit at home playing video games rather than running around to play.

Management of childhood obesity must follow the same principles as described elsewhere in the website with even a stricter adherence.

Any method used for weight loss that cannot be part of a permanent lifestyle is not worth starting.

Recommending a 'diet' for childhood obesity management is a very dangerous practice. Low fat diet for children has the following potentially dangerous effects:

• compromising abosortion of fat soluble vitamins (A,D,E,K) and therefore a compromise of the vital functions of these vitamins.
• Compromising cholesterol production which is crucial for sex steroid and other steroids necessary for their structural development.

Just as with adults, maintaining a nutritionally adequate food supply for the child and encouraging the child to indulge in energy sapping activities they they enjoy, is all that is required. There is no special diet required, except avoiding eating over and above the daily energy requirement. The fact that a growing child needs a balanced diet at all times cannot be over emphasised.

Strange diets (low carbohydrates or low fat ) are extremely dangerous for weight management for all but more especially for children.

For a supervised healthy weight loss for Children there is no better place that with Dr Ben's Sustainable Weight Loss programme for Children. Register now and lets save our children from a global disaster.