HOME HEALTH GUIDE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 May 1942, Page 4

HOME HEALTH GUIDE

DO YOU WANT TO REDUCE? DANGERS OF OVERWEIGHT. (By the Health Department). If you’re under 30 years a little extra condition is desirable; over 30 a moderate amount of underweight is desirable. In the first case the little overweight is a good defence against those diseases, such as tuberculosis, which attack the body from without, and which are prevalent among younger people. When you’ve passed the 30mark, the body’s resistance has become stronger, and a little underweight lightens the load on the heart and kidneys. ... Overweight is considered by Hie insurance companies to be a very serious disability, largely because certain diseases, such as diabetes an heart weaknesses, are known to be associated with it. The fact that people have at times developed almost ao cult for weight reduction indicates positively that they are aware of its dangers though considerations of personal appearance no doubt sometimes come before health considerations. It is important, therefore, to reduce safely and sanely. In the first place, avoid drugs; and in the second place, don’t rush it. / The best weight-reducing advice you can receive,ife from your doctor. Get him to examine you thoroughly. He will know whether your excess condition is or is not accompanied by any serious disease of the heart, kidneys, blood vessels or other organs. And he will also determine the possible presence of diabetes, anaemia, or glandular insufficiency. A drop of one-and-a-half to two pounds of weight a week is usually a sufficient loss, and, of course, it will be necessary to plan a diet that will protect your health and at the same time bring down your weight. The diet part isn’t as trying as it might sound. It is possible to have appetising and satisfying meals, even on a reducing allowance. But, if you have to reduce, do it under the doctor’s orders, and in no other way.