Today, there are more Filipinos who are on the heavy side and the threat of obesity is beginning to show among the young and old alike. These were the findings of various medical studies conducted in the Philippines by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute.

"As the eating habits and diet of Filipinos get to be like those of affluent western countries and the seeming fondness for junk food increases, we see a lot of our countrymen accumulating unwanted inches and pounds which put them at risk for certain types of diseases," said Nenita Umali, weight management dietitian and section manager of St. Luke’s Weight Management Center.

Tagged as a "one-stop shop" in weight management, the center is in its second year of operation. It is the only hospital-based center of its kind complete with a multidisciplinary team composed of physician specialists, dietitians, behavioral psychologist/psychiatrist and nurses. It even has its own gym where patients can exercise under the supervision of physical therapists.

Umali said that people should always bear in mind that carrying around extra kilos of fat in one’s body not only undermines one’s self-esteem but also poses numerous health risks.

An overweight individual is a candidate for arthritis, gout and some types of cancer. Sleep apnea, a serious condition where breathing slows down during sleep, is often worsened by excessive weight.

Lately, there has been the emergence of childhood obesity among Filipino children. Childhood obesity preceeds adult obesity and about one-third to two-thirds of obese children become obese adults.

At the Center, the patient, together with weight management consultants, set realistic weight loss goals. The initial goal is usually set at five to 10 percent of the patient’s weight with an equivalent of about one to two pound loss per week.

Factors to be considered when setting the goal include metabolism, psychological profile, and age.

Now with the rounds of parties during the holidays, the temptation to binge will always be there. For the chocoholics, eating a bar or a piece of dark chocolate is a no-no when one is dieting. Same thing with sodas. Always remember that an eight ounce of soft drink contains six tablespoonfuls of sugar.

"We are proud to say that we have a number of patients who have successfully undergone our programs and have not gained back those lost pounds. They have now a healthy lifestyle which allows them to feel confident with the way they look and feel about themselves," said Umali.