Report
Ireland is straining under 17,100 tonnes of excess weight
New research from Yakult reveals that Irish people are feeling grossly overweight and are unaware of the negative effect this is having on their gut health. The research was commissioned to mark the beginning of Gut Week 2010, which runs from 23-29th August.
According to the survey, 71% of Irish people feel that they’re carrying too much weight, with the typical Irish adult feeling that they have 16 pounds to lose. That’s a total of 17,100 tonnes of excess fat Irish people are carrying around (the equivalent weight of 244,500 average sized men). Over a fifth of those surveyed are completely unaware of the negative effect this excess weight can have on their gut and digestive health.
Fat stored on our bellies can lead to a number of consequences for our health. Among other things, weight stored on the belly can squash food mixed with stomach acid up into the gullet, causing heartburn and, in some cases, painful ulceration. This is worrying considering that 82% of those surveyed felt that the stomach is where they’re carrying the most weight.
The research also revealed that women are more likely to feel overweight than their male counterparts, with 75% feeling that they have weight to shed, in comparison with 66% of men.
80% of those surveyed cited summer as the time of year that they feel most conscious about their weight. Overindulgence on holidays is seen as the main culprit, with BBQs and more frequent visits to beer gardens coming second and third respectively. Not surprisingly, the female population seems to feel the pressure (89%) more when compared to men (66%), and young adults (18–24) feel it even more (93%) as they’ll be most tempted to expose their bodies during the hot summer days.
Dr Christian Jessen, medic and supporter of Gut Week 2010, says: “We all like to indulge from time to time, but it can sometimes get out of control and it’s important to be aware of the effects. Carrying excess weight around the middle, especially inside the abdomen and around the vital organs, significantly increases your risks of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, acid reflux and other digestive problems. Exercise and a healthy, balanced diet are the most important ways of helping to shift that central fat and improving your overall health.”
Dietitian Margaret O’Donoghue adds: “It’s worrying to note that so many people surveyed were unaware that carrying excess weight has an adverse effect on their digestive system and their overall health. Making poor food choices isn’t only contributing to the nation’s weight problems, but is also contributing to digestive health issues such as constipation, which is often caused by low fibre intake.
“Simple changes to your diet and the inclusion of exercise into your daily routine are the most effective ways of helping to shift that central fat and improving your overall health.”
Yakult has compiled some top tips for maintaining a healthy weight and healthy gut:
- Eat more fibre – It can protect against cancer and helps prevent a variety of unpleasant bowel conditions. Autumnal foods such as stews and casseroles often have a high fibre content, so look up recipes that contain wholemeal bread and pasta, brown rice, oats and whole grain cereals and vegetables such as onions, peas, broccoli and green beans, pulses, chickpeas and haricot beans.
- Cut down on salt – Instead of adding salt to your meals, try using lemon juice or grated lemon zest. It will really bring out the freshness of meat and fish. Add garlic or chilli to recipes, and experiment with autumnal herbs such as thyme, rosemary, parsley or chives.
- Reduce (but don’t eliminate) certain foods, especially your favourites – We’re not strong enough to go without the foods we crave, and will usually cave in to temptation in the end. If these happen to be high in fat, salt or sugar, then carefully control how much of them you eat and choose skimmed or low-fat dairy products and lean cuts of meat to help reduce fat intake.
- Walk more – It doesn’t have to mean pounding away on treadmills in the gym. Simple things such as using stairs instead of lifts, and walking up escalators instead of standing on them will help to burn excess calories. It also means you can still work up a bit of a sweat if the weather outside is cold and grey.
- Reduce weight – Overweight thighs and bums are not as risky medically as carrying too much fat around and inside your tummy. Exercise will help to shift this fat first, and so make a big difference to your long-term health.
- Drink a daily probiotic – Probiotic drinks such as Yakult help to maintain a healthy gut.
Gut Week begins on 23 August and aims to highlight the importance of digestive health and the vital role it plays in our overall health.
Source: Yakult
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