CONTRARY to believe that weight gain is a sign of affluence and healthy living, some experts in the know have linked excess weight to some medical conditions, as they stressed that obesity is a major health hazard that must be tackled head on. And if Nigerians must effectively combat weight issues for better health, they said, then awareness of important healthy lifestyle, regular exercise and diet options are strategies they must consider. 

Weight management consultants, under the aegis of Cambridge Weight Plan Nigeria, franchisee of Cambridge Weight Plan United Kingdom, have identified that excess weight is one of the reasons many Nigerians are prone to disease conditions like increased blood pressure, heart disease and stroke, diabetes, increased cholesterol, joint and back pain. 

Other conditions are asthma 'symptoms, fertility and menstrual problems, some cancers, low self-esteem and confidence, problems with posture and less energy and vitality. Chief Executive Officer, Cambridge Weight Plan Nigeria, Eniola Karounwi observed that, though weight issue was a global health risk, but it must be properly addressed to have a healthy population. 

She said shedding even a small amount of weight could help improve health. According to her, "it first reduces your chances of developing a number of the medical conditions listed, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes and some cancers. 

"I have clients, who after losing just five kilogrammes stopped complaining of knee pains, they sleep better and also not snoring. It comes with all the health benefits, and not just the weight loss," she said. Karounwi noted that changes in lifestyle and sedentary living were to be blamed for weight chal- lenges. According to her, "our lifestyle has changed completely. We don't do physical activities any more. 

We all have cars; drive to bles. work and sit all through. We live a sedentary lifestyle. We eat as late at 10 o'clock at  night, then slouch in front of the 'TV set."We are also not encouraging the children to do sport. Cambridge is encouraging    sport in schools now, because we are not just talking about weight but catching them young to embrace healthy lifestyle, take up sport, eat a lot of fruits and learn to eat right Cambridge Weight Plan is "Then, as we grow older, many are not changing the way they eat as when they are young. It tells on the body. This is part of what we will be teaching the public at our     Wellbeing Seminar and annual award dinner on October 26, 2013 in Lagos.                   

"As you grow older, you'd have to change what you eat or cut down on quantity because there must be an outlet for the food eaten, otherwise you'll gain weight."                   

She advised simple measures like a change in habit, reduced potion,of water, fruits and vegetables                            "The problem with Nigerians is that we are so fixated on our carbohydrate that we forget about other classes of food. Go from full fat to skimmed milk; reduce sugar and pastries intake among children, don't go treating every day, eat more fish and unprocessed foods. But for those that are already overweight, the Cambridge Weight Plan would be ideal," she said. 

Karounwi explained that nutritionally balanced and also gives much flexibility and choice than other weight loss options. 

"It comprises of a six-step programme that combines easy-to-follow eating plan and some realistic, practical lifestyle changes, with the ongoing advice of an accredited Cambridge Consultant. Cambridge Weight Plan is about more than just losing weight - it's about helping you reassess your future approach to food. eating "By making small, simple more changes and sticking to them, you can transform your life. All six steps of Cambridge Weight Plan have been devised to help you develop a healthy relationship with food, freeing you to achieve the body, as well as, the confidence that you desire and deserve." 

She said further that people that do Cambridge diet are better off, and never suspected of dieting because they never look haggard. 

According to her, it has no sinister side effect; leaves no sign of weight loss, no stretch mark. "That is because it is based on nutrients and well scrutinised every year in the UK" 

Citing an instance, Karounwi explained that an enrollee once weigh izskg and had lost sokg in about six months. 

"She needed to lose weight as part of fertility treatment. Hence, did Main Plan for 15 weeks, the Sole Source for another 10 weeks and they on maintenance and suste- nance since then. 

"She was able to get pregnant, though added like skg later, but there is no way she'd go back to the old weight. What she does now is exercise, riding bicycle, running and eating a lot of fruits and vegetables. 

"Patients would tell us that with reduced weight, there is improved health, improved relationship and better self-esteem. Those are testimonies that excite us. Reduced weight comes with a lot of confidence. It is not everyone that would have to be size eight. You have to listen to your body and maintain a reasonable size. 

"At step one of the plan, every food is a no-no; step two reintroduces some foods, but we re-introduce everything in steps three and four but in smaller portion. What you'll find is that by the time you come up with step one, your stomach has shrunk. It doesn't totally cut out food. So long as you stick to the plan, it works. 

"We've had almost 10,000 people on the plan all over the country, with well over 3,000 in Lagos in the last three year and 80 per cent success rate. The 20 per cent short fall is because some people do not stick to the plan," she said.