40 THE QUEENS COURIER • WELLNESS • APRIL 19, 2018 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM
wellness
New study: Changed lifestyles are hampering our weight-loss eff orts
If you’ve ever tried to lose weight, you
probably know it can seem like an overwhelming
task. In fact, a recent survey
conducted by Th e Harris Poll indicates
losing weight is harder than ever before,
and that today’s busy modern lifestyle is a
key reason why.
But, don’t lose hope. Results also suggest
that taking a new approach to weight
loss can help, and that you can increase
your chances for reaching and maintaining
your weight-loss goals by getting a
clear picture of the factors holding you
back, and establishing a plan compatible
with your lifestyle.
“Th e Truth About Weight Loss” survey
was conducted online by Th e Harris Poll
in October/November 2017 on behalf of
Zaluvida, the makers of I-REMOVE (R),
and included nearly 1,000 health care
professionals 458 primary care physicians
(PCPs) and 503 pharmacists, and
more than 1,000 U.S. adults ages 18 and
over.
So, what are our roadblocks?
Th e survey paints a picture of U.S.
adults who are discouraged when it
comes to weight loss, and some of the key
reasons why.
Among its fi ndings:
• 77 percent of PCPs and 81 percent of
pharmacists say losing weight is harder
today than it was for previous generations
because of the busy, modern lifestyle
of Americans.
• Too much screen time (i.e., time spent
on computers, tablets and mobile
phones) has resulted in Americans leading
less-active lifestyles, according to 95
percent of PCPs and 97 percent of pharmacists.
• Lack of time is taking a toll as well. 97
percent to 98 percent of PCPs and pharmacists
are concerned that Americans
not taking time to plan healthy meals
will negatively impact their weight and
their family’s weight.
Th e result of all this? Widespread frustration.
While 41 percent of Americans
are now attempting to lose weight, only
29 percent of them are confi dent they’ll
achieve their current weight-loss goals.
Fift y-nine percent of them say they’re
frustrated by previous attempts to lose
weight - typically, they’ve tried to slim
down a substantial fi ve times in the past
fi ve years.
What’s needed? A sustainable plan, and
more weight-loss options.
At least 89 percent of health care professionals
surveyed say Americans need
to take a new approach to weight loss that
fi ts with today’s modern lifestyle.
Instead of embarking blindly on a goal
to lose weight, they say people should
develop a plan that accounts for their
potential stumbling blocks - most advise
that your plan should be sustainable (79
percent of PCPs and 69 percent of pharmacists),
not be time-consuming (56 percent
of PCPs and 55 percent of pharmacists),
and not require sudden or major
shift s to your daily routine (54 percent
of PCPs and 53 percent of pharmacists).
You may also want to consider new
options; at least 84 percent of PCPs and
pharmacists say they wish they had more
weight-loss options for people who are
overweight but not yet obese, and 63 percent
of PCPs and 60 percent of pharmacists
agree that a weight-loss product/
aid that fi ts into one’s lifestyle without
unpleasant side eff ects would make it easier
for their patients to lose weight.
One such product that’s now available
in the U.S. is I-REMOVE, a weightloss
aid aimed at helping people lose
weight and achieve healthier lifestyles
they can sustain long-term. As the No.
1 best-selling weight-loss formula in
Europe, I-REMOVE is clinically tested
and shown to help with weight loss and
maintenance, and can deliver up to three
times the weight loss of dieting alone.
Sold in the U.S. it is available nationwide
at Walgreens and other retailers.
Consult with your health care professional
before embarking on any weightloss
plan.
For more survey results, visit www.
weightlossfi ndings.com.
Courtesy BPT
What do neckties, yoga poses and vegetables have to do with my eyes?
Most of us know lifestyle changes can
improve our overall health. Exercising
more, eating more vegetables and not
smoking all have an eff ect on blood fl ow
in the body, which can aff ect our overall
health.
What many don’t realize is that when
blood fl ow is blocked or slows down,
the health of our eyes can also be aff ected.
Th at means that wearing neckties too
tight or doing certain yoga poses, such
as the downward dog, can increase pressure
in the eyes, which can lead to an
eye disease called glaucoma. Glaucoma
has few warning signs, and is the leading
cause of blindness for people over
the age of 60. Being overweight or having
high blood pressure can increase a person’s
risk for another common eye disease
called age-related macular degeneration
(AMD), a leading cause of vision loss
among people age 50 and older.
Vision loss - or even worse, blindness -
can negatively impact the quality of life,
independence and the ability to do daily
things such as driving, reading or seeing
grandchildren.
The American Academy of
Ophthalmology recommends that individuals
65 and older get an annual medical
eye exam with an ophthalmologist,
which is a medical doctor who specializes
in medical and surgical eye care. Th rough
comprehensive eye exams, ophthalmologists
can check a person’s eyes for hidden
signs of eye disease, which may
have no noticeable symptoms in
the early stages. Once diagnosed,
ophthalmologists can provide treatments
to help prevent vision loss.
For those concerned about the
cost of an exam, the American
Academy of Ophthalmology’s
EyeCare America program may be
able to help. More than 5,500 dedicated
volunteer ophthalmologists
provide eye exams and care, oft en
at no out-of-pocket cost to eligible
patients. Since 1985, the program
has helped nearly 2 million people
in need.
EyeCare America serves U.S. citizens
or legal residents who do not
belong to an HMO.
To be eligible for the EyeCare
America seniors program, an individual:
• Must be age 65 or older, and
• Have not had an eye exam by an
ophthalmologist in three or more
years.
To be eligible for the EyeCare
America glaucoma program, an individual:
• Must not have had an eye exam within
the last year, and must be at an
increased glaucoma risk due to age, race
and/or family history.
Many sight-stealing conditions can be
prevented or slowed down with proper
care and making simple lifestyle adjustments
such as:
1. Avoid inverted postures in yoga.
Studies show head-down positions can
increase eye pressure and are not recommended
for glaucoma patients. Th ere are
plenty of yoga exercises that don’t have
this eff ect.
2. Avoid tight neckties. Researchers
say that a too-tight necktie may increase
the risk of glaucoma by increasing
blood pressure inside the eyes.
3. Eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables,
especially green, leafy ones.
One study showed that people who
ate more leafy vegetables have a 20
to 30 percent lower risk of developing
glaucoma. Why? Nitrates in
green vegetables can be converted
to nitric oxide, which can improve
blood fl ow and help regulate pressure
inside the eye.
4. Exercise regularly. According to
the National Eye Institute, eating a
healthy diet and getting exercise have
been shown in earlier studies to protect
against AMD. A recent study showed
that people who engaged in moderate
to vigorous physical activity appear to
have a 73 percent lower risk of developing
glaucoma. Th is is because blood
fl ow and pressure inside the eye may
change with exercise.
For more information about
EyeCare America or to see if you or
others are eligible to be matched with one
of its volunteer ophthalmologists, visit
www.aao.org/eyecareamerica.
EyeCare America is cosponsored by the
Knights Templar Eye Foundation Inc.,
with additional support from Alcon and
Regeneron.
Courtesy BPT
/www.weightlossfi
/www.weightlossfi
/eyecareamerica
