Childhood Obesity and Advertising

Do you know what commercials your children are watching? Dr. Michelle Ho of the Baylor Healthcare System says that up to 80% of advertising on children’s networks like Nickelodeon is for junk food, processed food and fast food products that are contributing to the growing childhood obesity epidemic. The solution? Ho says that families should (1) limit screen time for kids, (2) discuss healthy food options, and (3) eat healthy meals together as a family, rather than encouraging unhealthy snacking.

Find out more in this Yahoo! video.

Inspirational Quote for the Week

“It takes a lot of courage to release the familiar and seemingly secure, to embrace the new. But there is no real security in what is no longer meaningful. There is more security in the adventurous and exciting, for in movement there is life, and in change there is power.”

–Alan Cohen

Side Effects of Gastric Bypass

While Roux en Y gastric bypass is a successful procedure for achieving weight loss, it’s important to recognize that there can be complications after the stomach is re-sized. Patients may experience the following side effects during the first few months after their procedure:

• Nausea or vomiting: While your body is adjusting to it’s post-surgical state, it’s possible to feel nauseous if you eat or drink too fast, chew too quickly or overeat. The best way to avoid the problem is to eat slowly, chew thoroughly and keep a food diary to determine what foods might be adversely affecting your system. You should also report excessive vomiting or nausea to your physician before you become dehydrated.
• Dumping syndrome: When foods move quickly from the stomach to your small intestine, it’s common to experience nausea, cramping, bloating and diarrhea. Dumping syndrome may also cause you to feel weak and fatigued–or cause you to sweat profusely and your heart to race. Sweets are often the culprit for a dumping episode, so avoid sugars and discuss diet alterations with your surgeon.
• Food sensitivities: While you may be able to eat virtually anything prior to your surgery, that will probably not be the case after gastric bypass. Red meat, refined sugar, dairy products, junk food and especially fibrous foods may bother your stomach–or cause dumping syndrome. Some patients are able to re-introduce these foods over time, while others have to more radically change their eating patterns. A dietitian can help you determine what your body is rejecting, and may be able to suggest substitutions.
• Constipation: Since you’re consuming less after your surgery, you may become constipated. Dehydration can aggravate constipation, so make sure you’re drinking small amounts of low-calorie fluids (i.e. water) both during and between meals.

Remember, the reason you underwent gastric bypass surgery was to transform your body, life and eating habits. While it may take awhile to adjust to new eating habits and follow your physician’s recommended diet, gastric bypass can help you live longer by reducing (or avoiding) obesity-related health problems. When you schedule your initial consultation with Dr. Barker and his caring staff, they’ll walk you through the risks and benefits of surgical procedures–while supporting you each step of the way. Call 1-888-OneDrBarker today.

Eating Transformation: Life After Weight-Loss Surgery

Searching for information about how to eat after your weight loss procedure? Invest in dietitian Margaret Furtado’s new books, available online at Amazon. In her books, Furtado discusses the importance of healthy eating after your weight loss procedure, along with tips about how to enjoy your new, post-surgery food habits.

To hear an interview with Furtado and learn more about her theories on post-surgery eating changes, download the video below.

Download Video

Ready to embark on your weight loss surgery adventure? Call the Barker Bariatric team to schedule your comprehensive consultation. Our team will help guide you through each step of the process, from insurance approvals to post-surgery assistance and diet changes. Call 1-888-OneDrBarker today.

Study Finds Increased Inflammatory Markers in Overweight Children

A new Pediatrics study used a large, representative sample to discover that overweight toddlers are already showing signs of abnormal C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, along with other concerning inflammatory markers. An indicator of general inflammatory processes in the body, elevated CRP is often associated with risk factors for high cholesterol, hypertension and heart disease.

While Dr. Asheley Cockrell Skinner and her colleagues say that it’s too early to recommend CRP testing in children, since it’s unknown whether a child’s increased CRP is reversible with diet and lifestyle changes. However, she says that the study results should make us more driven to prevent obesity in our children.

“This should stimulate our efforts at prevention,” says Cockrell Skinner. “It tells us that there is reason to be concerned about becoming overweight at a very young age. As we start to see [the obesity] epidemic progress, we are starting to realize more and more the health effects of obesity at a young age, and not just what it portends for adult obesity.”

While more research is undoubtedly necessary, the CRP study may be a wakeup call for parents who are indifferent about child weight gain. “One thing we will look into down the road,” said Cockrell Skinner, “is whether something like CRP is motivating to parents. If they know that a marker of inflammation is present in their children’s blood at a young age, will that slap them into action?”

Read more about the study at HealthNews.com.

Weight Gain is a Serious Health Concern

It’s easy to fall into the apathy trap. “I’m never going to lose weight–and what difference do those excess pounds really make, anyway?” According to WebMD, they make a lot of difference–in all the wrong ways. Watch this popular video to discover more about  how weight gain takes a toll on your body–and how you can begin to do something about it.

WebMD VIDEO: The Adverse Effects of Obesity

Here at Barker Bariatric, our goal is to prevent patients from suffering the dangerous effects of weight-related health conditions. Weight problems can lead to a variety of concerns, including sleep apnea, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, gallbladder disease, gout and osteoarthritis. If you or a loved one is suffering from obesity, call Barker Bariatric to schedule an initial surgical consultation. Discover how we can help you live healthy–and support you on your weight loss journey.