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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 20, 1996)
Nutritionists: Dieters should be educated _ « . . • • • Ttrl 1 ^ Ua By Kelly Johnson SeniorEditor America’s low-fat diet plan is not working. And a Comhusker nutrition ’ ist says he has one that will. “The No. 1 problem in America is too much food, too little training and too much accumulated body fat,” said Dave Ellis, coordinator of performance nutrition at the University of Nebraska Lincoln. In a seemingly health-conscious country, obesity is a growing problem. Americans are eating “fat-free every j thing, but not losing body fat,” Ellis said. Ellis is also a licensed medical nutritional therapist. People who trust misconceptions about dieting find themselves stuck in a weight-loss cycle because they don’t understand the science behind body fat, Ellis said. Someone starting a diet that works needs first to have his or her body fat assessed, and to continue to keep track ofit,hesaid. But body fat can’t necessarily be measured on the bathroom scale, Ellis said, because weight does not equal fat. “When you work out, you build muscle mass, be said. You could be gaining weight and losing body fat,” he said. “It’s sad watching people become more restrictive to the point of starva tion when they’re losing fat and gain ing muscle and they can’t see that on the scale.** The pictures people see in the popu lar press, those “gorgeous, lean bod ies,” don’t represent that person’s year round image. “The idea that they look that way all the time is unrealistic,” he shid. Each person’s genetic engineering determines their potential ideal body. “You can’t change you’re height or skeletal structure,” he said. Having an unrealistic view of one’s body, or unrealistic expectations, can lead to serious problems such as An orexia or Bulimia. Anorexia is characterized by an in tense fear of gaining weight and ex treme weight-loss through self-starva tion. Bulimia is characterized by binge eating large portions of food at one sit ting Mowed by purging through vom iting or laxatives to alleviate physical discomfort and guilt. People should expect that their bod ies will change over time, Ellis said. The science inside a Birkenstock. Ever wonder why Birkenstocks are so incredibly comfortable? They've got (1) a firm walking surface to fight fatigue (2) natural, ^jj orthopedic contours for support and proper weight distribu tion (3) a deep heel cup for comfort and stability (4) an integrated toe bar to encourage better circulation and (5) tough, flexible EVA outsoles that absorb shock. Now that you know, come try some German DIDIf CUCTAf If technology on for size. D1WIEIWI Vllle The original comfort shpt. FOOTLOOSE & FANCY, 1219 •P* Street • 476-6119 Mon-Sat, ltam&SOpm • 'Riursday until 8pm I L - - — — a. - ^-a-.er« — — -.a- a» ^ — ^ ^ ^ • „ lb keep a fit form, they should aim for progress each month and each year. “We have to allow for changes over time,” Ellis said. “Don’t try to accom plish all your goals at one time.” Unstructured and sporadic excercise will not make a fit body, he said. Athletic training and diet requires planning for the body’s changes. Ath letes should aim for variation in goals, stimulus and diet, he said. "Instead, shoot for maximum goals in a structured athletic environment,” he^aid. wmie long-term aimeue naming is important for losing body fat, a proper diet is more crucial, Ellis said. People who have adopted a low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet often become exercise-dependent to lose weight, he 5531 Ellis said the biggest mistake diet ers make is concentrating only on fat intake. They turn to eating lots of car bohydrates and become what Ellis calls “carbo-grazers.” Karen Miller, University Health Center dietitian, agreed. “We have bagel abusers on cam pus ” she said. YY ilvil JJWJMV a WU115 newIW wv come disordered, they can risk their health. The University Health Center of fers many programs for people either have eating disorders or who may be at risk, Miller said. It’s best when people become aware of the dangers of eating disorders be fore they become overwhelmed by them, she said. “Prevention is the best treatment,” she said. For more information about eating disorders, people can call the Univer sity Health center at 472-7440. 1 Learn as much about eating disorders as you can. Include information on treatment options. 2 Talk directly to the person with the eating disorder about your concerns. Pay close attention to detail about the behaviors you've noticed and are concerned with and speak to the person about diem. 3 Be sensitive, but be firm. 4 Try to be objective, calm and caring in discussing the individual's behaviors that concern you. Avoid offering simple solutions to the person like "just eat and you'll feel better," or "don't throw up anymore." If it were that simple, there wouldn't be a problem. 5 Accept the person for who he or she is. Make it clear to them that your feelings don't depend on his or her weight, shape, size or eating habits. ■v 6 If a person is in acute medical danger, or when dealing with minors you must . ,*v exercise responsibiltiy and authority. Trying to convince the person who needs £ treatment may not be an option. 7 Try to maintain as normal and healthy a lifestyle as possible. It's important for you and die person with the eating disorder not to structure your life around the eating disorder. 8 Encourage the person with the eating disorder to take responsibility. Allow him or her to participate in treatment decisions. Don't shield die person from the consequences of having an eating disorder. Source: University Health Center Aaron Steckelberg/DN '. 1 Learn about and ethicate others about the risk of chronic dieting. 2 •>_ Learn about and educate others about misleading advertising, that promote a perfect world, perfect body, perfection. 3 Help young people build and develop self esteem that is not based on looks. "Lookism" is another - ism that needs to be reduced, and avoided. 4 Don't push young people to be "super-people." Praise children for what they do. Avoid consistently stating: "you could do better." 5 Allow children and adolescents choices (within reason), and make them deal with the conaqocnces of their dioices. 6 Model and teach good nutrition. MODERATION IN ALL WE DO, this includes your diet and exercise program. Diering and a good diet are not the same thing. - 7 Avoid promoting dieting. Encourage children, adolescents, and adults to be healthy. Less than 5% Of the population has the genetic makeup to look like fashion models. 8 Females - avoid self criticism, model healthy behaviors. Avoid talking about dieting, and weigta lots. Learn to have a positive body image. ‘ 9 Males-avoid criticizing women's looks, any woman's looks. Don't encourage the females in your lift to lose weight, just because it would make you feel better. 10 If someone you know wants to lose weight ring out the reason. If the primary weight loss reason is for looks (not health), or if they think their life will change or be perfect with weight loss, educate them. Source: University Health Center . Aaron Steckeberg/DN i.W.fr? j1-!' 'TSSirO1. U'u ?£Y jJ&b\V ifut TjfSA - - - ' f: - ' " 1 Preoccupation with weight, calories or fat intake. Measures food, only eats food that she/he knows nutrientcontent. 2 Strong desire to lose weight Weight may actually be within or below normal ranges. 3 Frequently weighs self. 4 Fear of gaining weight is intense, even when underweight. 5 Body image distortion. The person feels his/her body or body parts (thighs, abdomen, etc.) are too fat 6 May have unusual food likes/dislikes, and aversions to some foods. 7 Ritualistic or obsessivc/compulsive behaviors, especially around food. 8 Low self-esteem, feelings that losing weight will make him/her more accepted, successful and/or popular. 9 Depressed in mood. 10 Interest in diet books, cookbooks, cooking and/or baking. Individual may prepare foods for others but refuse to eat iL 11 Excessive exercise program. 12 LossofregulafmenstitHlcycie;£> Source: University Health Center 1 Desire to lose weight, weight oftentimes is within normal ranges. 2 Over concern with weight/shape; frequent comments about being fat 3 Weight fluctuates 3-10 pounds in short times (month or less). 4 Secretive eating. 3 Complaints of not feeling well after eating, and complaints of not being able to keep food down because of "stomach problems." 6 Hearing running water in foe bathroom or frequent toilet flushing, after the penon leaves a meal, especially if this happens often. 7 Signs cfuseof diet pills, laxatives or diuretics. 8 Salivary glands that might be enlarged. 9 Enamel on teeth eroded. -r- , 4 .Jr . ;•«=> ’ 10 Episodes of weakness, fozzinesa or fainting. 11 Social withdrawal, and avoiding social activities especially when they involve food. 12 Sudden mood swings. Source: University Health Center •. : - . ) * }i>i< V •’
