Central Florida Women and Weight Loss Methods

1. Central Florida Women and Weight Loss Methods By: Brittany Norton IDS4934 Spring 2010

2. Research Purpose: The purpose of my research project is to help Central Florida women look deeper that quick fix weight loss methods. I want to help them find ways to change their methods from quick fixes to lifestyle changes that are healthier for them. Why do Central Florida women choose to use “quick fix” weight loss methods?

3. Interdisciplinary Approach: • By approaching this topic with an interdisciplinary manner I can better understand why people choose to use these weight loss methods instead of taking the time to educate themselves and make a lifestyle change where no “quick fixes” are needed • No single discipline has been able to resolve this problem of individuals using “quick fix” weight loss methods. • This problem is a societal issue because we as a society have certain expectations of what individuals should look like. • Economics plays a role in why these “quick fix” methods are so popular. Individuals think that they are cheaper than buying the buying and preparing healthy foods, cheaper than joining the gym, and they work “quicker”. The truth is “successful weight control depends upon you, not upon any particular product or program, no matter who is promoting it or how glamorous it appears on the surface.” (Steagall 2006). From another economic stand point, the lower class tends to be the more overweight population. They tend to not take the time to learn about their health and wellbeing, they cannot afford a gym membership so they choose these methods with hopes that they can help them.

4. Interdisciplinary Approach continued: • This is also a psychological problem because there may be underlying reasons that people are overweight or suffer from eating disorders (ex. binge eating or extreme dieting). • Education plays an important role in this problem because if individuals were educated properly on how to eat right and to fit in exercise regularly, the “quick fix” weight loss methods would not be such a booming industry (The diet industry alone makes at least 50 billion dollars a year in revenue (AEDA 2005). • The biggest issue with this topic is health. Individuals need to be healthy in order to prevent diseases and live long healthy lives and also to inform their children on how to be healthy. This is not going to happen if they are using “quick fix” weight loss method and doing more harm than good to their bodies.

5. Facts from the Sources: • “These approaches will probably not be effective for safe and long-term weight loss if they don't incorporate a balanced, healthy diet and increased physical activity” (Steagall 2006). • "There is no evidence that these diets are successful at helping people keep weight off once they lose it, and there are ample concerns about the fiber, vitamins, and minerals people give up when they severely restrict their diet, say, by sharply limiting carbohydrate intake. We want people to be provided with sound nutrition advice that will help them in making choices for maintaining good health for the long term." (Albright 2006). • Results of these “quick fixes”: “As a nutritionist, I have seen long term dieters that have burnt out their adrenal glands and central nervous system from metabolic stimulants, abused their colons with laxatives, stripped their bodies of important nutrients with fat blockers, stressed out their kidneys and stripped their bodies of important minerals and electrolytes with diuretics, starved themselves and actually slowed their metabolism down more by going on fad diets.” (Duncan 2009). The body is affected by these “quick fix” methods more than most people think. Most users of these methods are unaware of their harmful effects. • “Food isn’t just used to satisfy hunger – it is also a common part of social interactions and a means of comfort and stress relief” (Paul 2009). Psychology plays an important role in weight loss. As Paul states it is in fact more than just food for hunger. • “90% of all people that lose weight on diets will regain it in the following two years (and will probably gain additional weight as well). Also, The most common behavior that will lead to an eating disorder is dieting.” (AEDA 2005).

6. Disciplines:

8. Conflicts Between Disciplines: • Educators already have to much to teach in to little time. They would have to take time in the health classes to educate their students. There is no funding for adult education in health. • The psychology field wants to focus on the affects of why one is using the “quick fix methods. Do they have an eating disorder, an emotional disorder? • The health field’s focus in on the well being on the individual. The FDA does not approve these “quick fix” methods by they cannot stop individuals from buying/using them. • The economy keeps individuals buying these “quick fix” methods because they appear as cheap and easy.

9. Common Ground: • “common ground” between these disciplines and their assumptions is that they are all formed to benefit and better educated the individual involved (with trying the weight loss methods or following an unhealthy lifestyle). • The disciplines overlap one another and come together to form an interdisciplinary outcome: health education to some level at all ages.

10. Observational Research: • They put together and sponsor cycle races, 5k’s and other similar events. Along with that they offer health consulting and running/waling coaches. • I was able to help set up for and attend a cycle race in Jan. 2010 • I also attended several walking sessions with the walking coach, Keri at Baldwin Park in Central Florida. • This is were I was able to interview several Central Florida women to see how they felt about weight loss, the methods they have tried, as well as the struggles and/or successes they have encountered.

11. Observational Research: Interview • I was fortunate enough to have a “walking interview” with Central Floridian Candice H.

12. Interdisciplinary Outcome: • There is a need for health education among adults in our society. • Health education can teach individuals how to properly lose weight and how to live a healthy lifestyle with out the use of “quick fixes”. • Students of all ages should be taught about healthy lifestyles, and the effects of dieting in their health classes. • It is important for individuals to realize the harmful effects of these “quick fix” methods, there is a reason Doctors do not promote them and they are not approved by the FDA.

13. Outcome continued: • “Quick fixes” are not ideal to be used as a weight loss methods. “They are simply a "band-aid" to the weight gain issue” ( Duncan 2009). • Central Florida women need to stay active and keep up with their weight loss the natural way: healthy eating habits and exercise. Most women (interviewed) are becoming more aware of their health and the health of their families. They do this by cooking healthier meals, not dining out as much, keeping active (walking, bike riding with the family, etc.).

14. Annotated Bibliography: • Please see attached word document.