Chiropractic examination to reduce the incidence of long-term damage. Obesity has become an epidemic in Australia. The 2007-08 National Health Survey (NHS) reported that 61.4 percent of the adult population was either overweight or obese.1 This number has been growing steadily from a rate of38 percent in 1995, when the NHS first measured body mass index (BMI).Australian adults are getting heavier, creating a weighty problem for their health. While obesity is a chronic disease on its own, excess weight increases the risk of other health conditions, including diabetes, coronary heart disease, colon cancer, osteoarthritis, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and sleep apnea. It also wreaks havoc with the spine, which leads to a host of other issues.
Carrying extra weight affects posture and puts additional pressure on the spine, which can cause vertebral subluxation, the misalignment of vertebra. Without adjustment, subluxation wears away at spinal muscles and tissue, ligaments, discs, and joints. This condition leads to back pain, decreased mobility, and spasms. In addition, the misaligned vertebra impinges the nerves that connect to the spine. The nerve function is then impaired�"often called a �pinched nerve��"reducing nerve impulsesby as much as 60 percent!
According to the Medical Journal of Australia2, four out of five Australians will suffer from back pain; and one out of ten of them will experience disability as a result. Excess weight of the obese or morbidly obese puts an individual at far greater risk of more serious spinal injury, including herniated disk, degenerative disk disease and osteoarthritis of the spine. Overweight individuals are also at risk of diffuse idiopathic hyperostosis (DISH), the hardening of one of the spinal ligaments, and lordosis, curvature of the spine.
People who are overweight and have a sedentary lifestyle are also prone to conditions such as osteoporosis. The weakening of the bones can lead to vertebral fractures. Lack of exercise sets of adomino effect in the body: the muscles in the lower pain weaken, increasing the curve in the lower back, making the pelvis tilt forward, which, in turn, weakens the spine.
In addition to the health risk, obesity has become a stress on the fiscal health of our country. Direct health costs resulting from obesity issues averages an estimated $1.5 billion per year�"paid for by Australia’s taxpayers. Indirect costs, such as absenteeism and lost productivity boost this expense even higher.
A regular regimen of physical activity will not only help with weight loss, but also strengthen the muscles in the back and pelvis. Just 15 to 20 minutes of moderate exercise daily - such as walking - can begin to reverse the effects of obesity and sedentary lifestyle.
Individuals who are carrying excess weight should be evaluated by a chiropractor to treat or prevent back problems. Maintaining a healthy spine is a strong step in improving your vitality and wellness.
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Diet also plays a major factor in managing weight. The NHS study reported that only 10 percent of women and 7 percent of men eat the recommended amount of vegetables. In addition, one study showed that, particularly for men, 39 percent of money spent on food was away from home. When dining out, be more mindful of healthy options, or make the effort to pack a nutritious lunch rather than choosing the high-calorie junk food that packs on pounds without contributing any nutritional value.
