Risk of Future Heart Attack Higher In Obese Kids

Dr. Gage describes the childhood obesity epidemic as a social epidemic. It is the combination of foods and inactivity that is creating obesity in our children. Dr. Gage says "We must demand a change in our environment and stop supporting the junk food vendors and start supporting healthy fruits and vegetable vendors.

(PRWEB) January 2, 2005 -- Americans continue to become more and more obese, but did you know that your very own children may suffer the consequences. The number of obese adults in the United States has doubled over the past several decades, but the trends among our nations children are even more alarming," says Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, M.D., President and CEO of The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. If we dont do something to reverse these trends, we will raise the first generation of Americans to live sicker and die younger than their parents."

The Institute of Medicine reported that the rate of childhood obesity has tripled among youngsters aged 6-11 and has doubled for those aged 2-5 and 12 to 19. Overweight and obese children bear near-term risks of developing type 2 diabetes, and ill health, heart attack or stroke before they are 65. Dr. Dennis Gage, M.D. Obesity Expert, Researcher, and Author of The Thinderella Syndrome says Obesity is not only a genetic predisposition, but is attributed to our modern environment." Parents poor eating habits are copied by their children. For children to be raised healthy, they must have the appropriate reinforcers and change their lifestyle habits.

Dr. Gage describes the epidemic of obesity as a social epidemic." It is the combination of attitude towards food and diminished activity that is creating havoc. There is an abundance of junk foods" out there commercially being thrown out to our kids. Our kids also have become lazy couch potatoes," falling victim to TV and video games. The answer requires that parents, educators, government, and media demand a change in our environment. We must stop supporting the junk food" vendors and start supporting the American farmer. Fresh wholesome food for all must be the battle cry and the streets and backyards must once again be the play battlefield of years by-gone.

In Dr. Gages book The Thinderella Syndrome: A Practical Guide to Individualized Permanent Weight Loss (Vantage, Aug. 2004) he says People are enticed by a fantasy world with unrealistic goals." Diet books espouse using only one technique to achieve weight loss, namely a strict avoidance technique." Dr. Gage offers a custom-made group of behavioral interventions that, when applied, will work for each individual. Through his theory of the Three Rs of Behavior Modification (Realization, Regimentation, Reorientation), he describes what is involved in taking back control of ones eating lifestyle. From his twenty-five year experience working with obese individuals, Dr. Gage has developed a group of techniques for weight maintenance that he calls Defensive Eating Style." Through continued patterning and awareness, the patient is able to maintain a healthy goal weight indefinitely, and, if weight regain does occur, Dr. Gage describes his Red Alert" warning system that restores control back to the person. Dr. Gage has helped hundreds of his patients lose weight permanently. With obesity vying for the number one cause of American-related disease and death, Dr. Gage says You cant just do a diet, you must live one."

Dr. Dennis Gage is Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Clinical Nutrition. Dr. Gage is available for TV, Radio, Lectures, and Interviews. Order his book through Amazon by visiting: www.thethinderellasyndrome.com.

Contact: Madeline Wald, PR

Cell: 914-906-7685

Email: drdennisgagemd@aol.com

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