Childhood Obesity Awareness Month Blog Carnival

This article was written for inclusion in the blog carnival hosted by http://www.littlestomaks.com to promote awareness of childhood obesity as part of the National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. Please read to the end of this article to find a list of links to the other carnival participants.

Last week my cousin and his 10 year-old son popped over to say hi. It’s been eight months since I last saw them. My cousin looked pretty much the same but I hardly recognised his son.

“Have you lost weight?” I asked him in the understatement of the year. He grinned and said proudly, “I’ve lost 11 kilograms since Christmas!” Eleven kilos is a lot for anyone to lose but for a ten-year-old kid it’s like almost a quarter of his body weight!

The change was incredible – not just in his external appearance but within himself. He was more relaxed and confident. His dad confirmed it. “Recently we went rock-climbing and he raced to the top faster than anyone else. In the past he has always struggled. Each time he finds he can do something really well that in the past he struggled with, it boosts his confidence even more.”

Balding

Why it happens

The receding hairline or circle of shiny scalp in many men is caused by a combination of hereditary, hormones and age. A major factor causing baldness in genetically susceptible men is the hormone dihydrotestosterone which shrinks hair follicles. Baldness may also be a side effect of some medications for gout, arthritis, depression, heart and hypertension. Extreme emotional or physical shock, inadequate protein or iron, extreme dieting, thyroid problems or diabetes may also cause hair loss.

Two common causes of hair loss in pre-menopausal women are low iron stores and inadequate protein, especially the amino acid lysine.

If you think your diet is lacking, don’t be tempted to mega-dose on vitamin supplements. Too much can cause hair loss.

Caffeine helps block the damaging effects of DHT on hair follicles. But only if it’s rubbed on your head. Drinking coffee or tea won’t help.

People who are insulin resistant have a greater risk of hair loss. Insulin indirectly stimulates testosterone production. To prevent insulin resistance, keep weight off the stomach area and replace those cakes, biscuits and chippies (sugar and fat with few nutrients) with vegetables, fruit and legumes.

Deteriorating eyesight

Why it happens

Around 40-45 we develop a new mannerism – pulling our head back while peering at the paper or brochure held at arm’s length. It’s called presbyopia, it’s normal and there’s nothing we can do to prevent it. From adolescence the lens in our eye slowly thickens and becomes less flexible making it more difficult to focus.

What to do

Visit the optometrist regularly to monitor eye health and vision changes.

Buy reading glasses if necessary.

Eat plenty of yellow and dark green fruit and vegetables such as corn and spinach.

Hot Flushes

Why it happens

Hot flushes are likely caused by the drop in oestrogen levels that starts in a woman’s forties. It’s thought that this oestrogen drop upsets the hypothalamus which acts like the body’s thermostat…

What to do

Keep cool and relaxed. Smoking, alcohol, caffeine and spicy foods can all trigger hot flushes. The jury is still out on whether soy reduces hot flushes; some studies show a positive result, others show no effect. But there’s no harm in including some soy foods in your diet. Try tofu, miso, tempeh, soy milk or soy and linseed bread.