Spring Break
Carb Wars
The Atkins Diet and others have students, restaurants looking for low-carb alternatives
By: Amber Gray
Issue date: 4/16/04 Section: Aggielife
"I hadn't planned on dieting before my sister told me about the Atkins," Klein said. "But with summer coming up I thought,'why not shed a few pounds?'"
Another recent weight-loss trend is to lose weight easily with over-the-counter pills. While in theory, the main use for weight-loss drugs is the treatment of obese individuals, the drugs are not solely being used by those with serious health risks.
"Everyone is looking for the magic bullet," George said. "However, let me tell you, it doesn't exist."
Clinical weight loss studies have shown that no sustained weight loss and long-term weight control can be achieved through using weight-loss pills alone, and upon discontinuing use, the weight is virtually always gained back. According to a report in the Journal of Obesity Research, people who used diet supplements containing ephedra only lost an extra 7.5 pounds over a six month time frame.
"Trust me," said George, "if the pills were effective I guarantee they would be coming from the major drug corporations and the insurance companies would be involved. Everyone would want a slice of the pie."
There is only one healthy way to lose the weight, Walker said.
"I promote keeping a balanced diet and staying active," she said. "You either need to lower your calorie intake or burn more calories through increased activity."
Leading experts in obesity today recommend individuals try to lose 5 to 10 percent of their body weight, while setting a realistic goal.
"Healthy weight loss is generally one to two pounds per week," said John Prochaska, Class of 2002 and a graduate assistant at Health Education, Student Health Services at A&M.
The National Weight Control Registry (NWCR) said reducing 500 calories a day will result in one pound lost a week, while eating 1000 fewer calories a day will result in a loss of 2 pounds per week. This weekly weight loss totals 100 to 150 pounds a year.
"Students need to realize that weight-loss is not a quick fix," Prochaska said. "Healthy lifestyle changes, changes you can live with the rest of your life, are key."
Another recent weight-loss trend is to lose weight easily with over-the-counter pills. While in theory, the main use for weight-loss drugs is the treatment of obese individuals, the drugs are not solely being used by those with serious health risks.
"Everyone is looking for the magic bullet," George said. "However, let me tell you, it doesn't exist."
Clinical weight loss studies have shown that no sustained weight loss and long-term weight control can be achieved through using weight-loss pills alone, and upon discontinuing use, the weight is virtually always gained back. According to a report in the Journal of Obesity Research, people who used diet supplements containing ephedra only lost an extra 7.5 pounds over a six month time frame.
"Trust me," said George, "if the pills were effective I guarantee they would be coming from the major drug corporations and the insurance companies would be involved. Everyone would want a slice of the pie."
There is only one healthy way to lose the weight, Walker said.
"I promote keeping a balanced diet and staying active," she said. "You either need to lower your calorie intake or burn more calories through increased activity."
Leading experts in obesity today recommend individuals try to lose 5 to 10 percent of their body weight, while setting a realistic goal.
"Healthy weight loss is generally one to two pounds per week," said John Prochaska, Class of 2002 and a graduate assistant at Health Education, Student Health Services at A&M.
The National Weight Control Registry (NWCR) said reducing 500 calories a day will result in one pound lost a week, while eating 1000 fewer calories a day will result in a loss of 2 pounds per week. This weekly weight loss totals 100 to 150 pounds a year.
"Students need to realize that weight-loss is not a quick fix," Prochaska said. "Healthy lifestyle changes, changes you can live with the rest of your life, are key."
Be sure to include your name, major, and class year. Submissions without this information are subject to deletion.
By submitting a comment, you agree to thebatt.com's Terms of Use.
You may also send a Mail Call to The Battalion at mailcall@thebatt.com