The holiday season and weight gain seem to go hand in hand. Between Thanksgiving, office buffets, Christmas parties, eggnog and a plethora of cookies, it’s no wonder that the average American gains at least two pounds between the end of November and the beginning of January. All of the rich food and sweets add up and take a toll on our bodies; it’s actually surprising that the average weight gain isn’t higher. In my office, for example, there are some great bakers that often feel the need to share their latest sugary masterpieces with the rest of the staff. With that being said, gaining less than five pounds this holiday season will be difficult.
I’m a good example of someone who knows the facts about disease prevention and its relationship to a healthy BMI (body mass index) and still, I let myself gain a few throughout the course of the holiday season. It seems difficult to turn down seconds and frosting covered cookies but we have to remain vigilant and make sure that we exercise restraint and exercise our bodies. Gaining a few pounds and stopping your regular gym routine can be a slippery slope.
A recent blog titled, “Americans Are Fat, And Expected to Get Much Fatter” says that if we stay on our current trajectory, “83% of men will be overweight or obese by 2020. Women are right behind them, with 72% projected to be overweight or obese by then.”
Colorectal cancer is influenced by a variety of risk factors including age, family history, history of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), and last but not least, lack of exercise and excess weight. Obesity is associated with increased risk of polyps and CRC, so every effort needs to be made to ‘watch it.’
No one wants to be the bearer of bad news, just as no one wants to be told they are obese. Yale psychologist and researcher, Rebecca Puhl, recently performed a poll and found that, 'only one-third of doctor's surveyed say they talk to patients about losing weight.' This is interesting news considering how much our body weight impacts the likelihood of contracting heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. Maybe it is time for Americans to take responsibility for themselves and push the plate away.