EAT WELL, LIVE WELL, BE WELL

-by Shravanthi

OBESITY

Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have an adverse effect on health, leading to reduced life expectancy and/or increased health problems(1)

DIETING

We all know that dieting as we know it, doesn't work. There has never been more diet programs or books written on this subject than there are today. The dieting and weight loss industry has grown into a multibillion dollar industry. North Americans' spend over 1 Billion dollars each year to try and lose weight. Fit For Life has united some of the finest minds in the health, fitness, and nutrition industries to formulate the ultimate Lifestyle program.

WHAT IS FIT FOR LIFE?

Fit for Life (FFL) is a diet and lifestyle stemming from the principles of natural hygiene, an offshoot of naturopathic medicine.(2) Fit for Life claims that one can lose excess body weight and maintain good health via long term dietary and lifestyle practices, rather than short term dieting

HISTORY OF FIT FOR LIFE

Harvey Diamond is one of the most celebrated and successful health authors in history certainly one of today's truly great health thinkers. Harvey Diamond has been studying and teaching the principles of healthful living for over 35 years and is recognized as one of the most effective and well-respected authors on the subject of health in the world. He is considered to be one of the original pioneers credited with helping shift people toward a healthier eating lifestyle. (2)

WHAT DOES FIT FOR LIFE INCLUDE

Fit For Life Diet promotes the concept of food combining. The Fit for Life's diet meal plans focused on combining certain foods, or excluding them at certain times.They believed that when certain foods are mixed, the intestine has problems absorbing them, and we store fat. Diet meal plans on the Fit for Life Diet include eating fruit in the morning to help the system purify itself, however, you cannot mix the fruit with any other food. FIT FOR LIFE SAYS that Other meals include a mix of grains, beans and veggies, but you are not allowed to mix vegetables and other carbohydrates.

WHAT IS FIT FOR LIFE PROGRAMME?

Fit For Life Program the basic principle is that it is more important WHEN YOU ARE EATING THAN WHAT YOU ARE EATING. While on this plan, you'll only be able to eat fruit up until lunch and then will consume mostly vegetables and meat during the remainder of the day.. Finally, on this approach you will be instructed to avoid any simple sugars other than those found in fruit as they are believed to ferment and produce acids when consumed, particularly on their own. Once the diet plan is fixed the ANOTHER IMPORTANT PART IS THE EXERCISE.

 CONTD.

Promoting physical activity is an important strategy to address the problem of obesity. Musculoskeletal problems can prevent over weight people from successfully using exercise to reduce weight. Over weight people are more susceptible to musculoskeletal problems (knee pain, back pains). Hence, they dont exercise.

BENEFITS OF EXERCISE

Researches say that exercise have good benefit in people with osteoarthritis(3). It can reduce pain, improve strength and aerobic capacity. Strong evidence exercise can reduce pain in chronic low back conditions.(4)

ROLE OF PHYSIOTHERAPY

A general practitioner can refer patients to a physiotherapist for a therapeutic exercise regimen which is evidence based and realistic. In fit for life programme most people are obese people. So, obvious that they may have OA, back pain etc. Fear of injury is a general symptom in every individual. So, they avoid exercise. Specially, obese people. Involvement of physiotherapist can solve this fear and help them for the physical activity.(5)

INJURY PREVENTION BY A
PHYSIOTHERAPIST

This strategy includes prescribing appropriate therapeutic exercises providing physical activities like strengthening, stretching to reduce risk of injury ensuring warm up and cool down periods. In example of an over weight patient daily exercise is ideal for losing the weight. The useful combination would be cardiovascular based programme for 4 days (cycling, swimming, walking) and on other days strength , stretches.

ROLE OF PHYSIOTHERAPISTS

Exercise programs tend to be more effective if individually designed and supervised and combined with regular follow up. This is particularly relevant for the overweight population where the goal is to achieve slow and steady weight loss and an increase in physical activity over time. Follow up is critical for maintaining motivational levels, progressing the activity, and modifying the exercise program if circumstances change. Physiotherapists play a significant role in: reducing or removing the barriers to physical activity; designing, implementing and monitoring exercise programs; and promoting safe participation in physical activity to facilitate weight reduction and weight control.

HOW IS IT APPLICABLE IN UK?

About 46% of men in England and 32% of women are overweight . This initiative helps people to know about how their fitness can be maintained with proper food and how to reduce their weight and eating patterns. This fit for life programs are offered by many companies for their employees. Many case studies were also carried on fit for life programs. For example, Cadbury company has introduced the Fit for Life initiative helping them keep fit, healthy and feeling good about themselves. In fact George Cadbury believed a healthy worker to be a productive worker.

BENEFITS OF THE PLAN

Some benefits of the plan are that it encourages people to increase their consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables. Unlike some diets, Fit for Life does not require dieters to buy special foods, keeping expenses under control & making it affordable to everyone.

OTHER BENEFITS OF FIT FOR LIFE

Improves overall health Reduces stress Tones muscles Controls weight Improves sleep Enhances self-esteem Lengthens potential life expectancy Improves stamina and endurance Increases body strength May lower blood pressure Supports mental sharpness

BENEFITS

OF

FIT FOR LIFE (CONTD.)

Slows effects of aging Provides opportunity for social interaction Maintains flexibility Relieves muscle tension Protects muscle groups by strengthening Positively impacts depression Burns calories Improves appearance Feels good Combine your fitness program with proper nutrition, regular medical check-ups and a positive attitude

RISKS

Nutritionists feel that the Fit for Life diet can lead to serious vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Banning dairy products makes it extremely difficult for dieters to get the recommended daily allowance of calcium. Calcium is needed to keep bones strong and in many metabolic reactions in the body.

HOW IS IT APPLICABLE IN INDIA?

Obesity is one of the major problem in India and the crash diets, irregular exercises leads to the other problems. This initiative is helpful to decrease obesity rate and physical inactivity and also helps the people to have a knowledge about proper diet and exercise patterns in order to reduce their weight gradually with out any side effects and maintain their fitness level up to the mark.

REFERENCES

WHO 2000 p.6 Tish Davidson (2007). "Fit for Life diet". in Jacqueline L. Longe. The Gale Encyclopedia of Diets: A Guide to Health and Nutrition. Thomson Gale. p. 383385. ISBN 1414429916. Diamond, Harvey and Marilyn Diamond. Fit for Life New York, NY: Fine Communications, 2002. Brosseau L, Pelland L, Wells G, et al. Efficacy of aerobicexercises for osteoarthritis (part II): a metaanalysis.Physical Therapy Reviews 2004;9:12545. Pelland l, Brosseau L, Wells G, et al. Efficacy of strengtheningexercises for osteoarthritis (part I): a meta analysis.Physical Therapy Reviews 2004;9:77108. Hay-Smith EJ, Bo Berghmans LC, Hendriks HJ, de BieRA, van Waalwijk van Doorn ES. Pelvic floor muscle training for urinary incontinence in women. The CochraneDatabase of Systematic Reviews 2001;1:CD001407.

what is fit for life according to the cadbury company? Fit for Life is a lifestyle and activity programme available to all Cadbury employees throughout the UK. Each employee is provided with a Fit for Life guide to keep them informed about the initiative and to encourage participation in the programme. Their fit for life programme involve with activity, balance and relaxation, nutrition and personal well being.