Study says behavior and wealth may drive obesity

It is not surprising that the wealthiest countries have a larger percentage of obesity in their population. Some have labeled obesity as a disease of prosperity. According to the Los Angeles Times a study argues that it may be  linked with wealthy nations and their fast-food restaurants.  Researchers compared the number of fast-food restaurants per capita in 26 countries listed as advanced economies by the International Monetary Fund. They used one chain (Subway) as a proxy measure; at  the end of 2010 the chain reportedly had the most restaurants worldwide. Countries with the highest density of restaurants per capita were the U.S. and Canada: 7.52 and 7.43 per 100,000 people, respectively. In the U.S. the prevalence of obesity for men and women is about 32%, while in Canada it’s about 23%. Japan’s numbers were much different. They had far fewer fast food restaurants and there obesity rates  were 2.9% for men and 3.3% for women. Norway reported similar numbers. With this type of evidence is hard to dispute the fact that lifestyle behaviors which include eating fast food combined with a sedentary lifestyle have an effect on obesity. Dr. O’Toole shares with patients who have concerns with body contour and weight that the best time to address the situation is immediately, when increased weight begins to be a problem. Often times mothers will have a difficult time losing the last 15 to 20 pounds after having a baby. They become discouraged because there’s loose skin on the abdomen, their clothes do not fit correctly, and it is very easy to continue to gain weight rather than lose the weight. This is an excellent time for patients to consider abdominoplasty combined with liposuction. Provided the patient is within range of their ideal body weight, Dr. O’Toole can perform abdominoplasty which will remove the loose and lax skin from the abdomen as well as tighten the abdominal muscle for a flat and more aesthetically pleasing abdomen. For some candidates he will combine the procedure with liposuction on the love handles and lower back, thus creating a shapely waist. The recovery for this procedure is about 10 to 14 days so new mothers will need help for about a week. Most patients recover beautifully, and although it is one of the tougher recovery processes, the results are outstanding. Patients tell Dr. O’Toole that they look better than they did before they were pregnant. The results that Dr. O’Toole is able to achieve could not be achieved through diet or exercise alone.