The fact that the epidemic of obesity is rampant in the country, the US Ministry of Health recognized in 2001. Huge amounts of money are being spent on fighting the scourge, but its effectiveness is low. One of the reasons for this situation is the myths that most Americans take at face value.
By excess weight in the US suffer from 35% of men, 40% women and 17% of children and adolescents. The country’s annual spending on the war on obesity exceeds $ 210 billion, or 21% of the medical budget. Another 60 billion is spent by citizens themselves, buying a variety of products designed to help reduce weight.
Huge costs, however, do not reduce the severity of the problem. The number of obese people continues to grow. Experts predict that due to obesity -related illnesses, for the first time in 200 years , the life expectancy of the current generation of Americans may be reduced.
Most of the information about what obesity is and how to deal with it, ordinary citizens draw from the media. A few years ago, American researchers, analyzing publications in the most popular media, revealed several persistent myths that wander from article to article.
According to Tammy Chang and Angie Wang from the University of Michigan, these popular misconceptions not only contradict scientific evidence, but also prevent effective treatment of obesity, misinform patients and prevent them from overweight.
Myth number 1
Significant changes in energy consumption or expenditure can lead to long-term significant weight loss.
Unfortunately, it is not. “Small blood” obesity cannot be defeated. Undoubtedly, even slight diet restrictions that bring it closer to rational food consumption are preferable to “belly-fed” food, as well as walking 100 meters is more useful than “relaxing” on a soft sofa all day.
But if the goal is to bring weight back to normal, more considerable effort will be required. Without intense physical training, a radical review of the diet and diet can not do.
Myth number 2
In the fight against obesity, it is important to set realistic, achievable goals, otherwise you can be disappointed, which will reduce the effectiveness of treatment.
There is no scientific evidence that the desire for “stars” can lead to disappointment. In contrast, researchers at the National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases, based in Maryland, argue that striving for a more meaningful goal can lead to better results in weight loss.
Myth number 3
Significant and quick initial loss of kilograms in the long run slows down the process and leads to worse results than smooth gradual weight loss.
This problem was investigated at the University of Florida. It turned out that rapid weight loss at the initial stage is more profitable both in the short and long term. Patients with strong motivation not only “quickly start”, but achieve better results by the end of treatment, and they are no more likely to relapse than those who lost weight slowly.
Myth number 4
Having sex, each of the partners burns 100-300 kilocalories.
It is a popular and pleasant, but also misleading. Sex is a poor alternative to walking, jogging and exercise. On average, Americans need about 6 minutes for “intimate affairs”. During this time, a 30-year-old man burns only 21 kilocalories. If instead of sex he will sit in an armchair and watch TV, his spending will amount to 14 kilocalories.
Despite the fact that science refutes popular myths, Americans continue to believe in them. Researchers from Michigan interviewed more than 300 patients at the Family Medicine Clinic. In the validity of each of the above erroneous statements, from 61% to 94% of respondents are sure. Among the victims of myths there are even doctors.