A weighty issue in the spotlight
Obesity and weight loss are topics commonly in the spotlight.
The benefits of exercise are said to be many, both for physical and mental health.
When it comes to what we eat, concepts such as ensuring snacks are healthy (for example veggie sticks and hummus instead of reaching for a bag of lollies) as well as not being lounge lizards all day are well promoted.
Drinking plenty of water is also advised as well as incorporating simple ways of keeping active into our daily life such as taking the stairs instead of the lift, enjoying an afternoon at the playground with the kids or just taking a short afternoon walk.
Keeping our overall health and wellbeing in check has also been associated with being important as we grow older as well as lowering our risk factors of health complications and diseases.
And yet according to national statistics, the prevalence of those who are overweight or obese is of major concern.
Doctor Adam Cichowitz, from North Eastern Surgery in Wangaratta and Albury-Wodonga, says two thirds of the Australian population are overweight or obese.
Mr Cichowitz offers a full range of general surgical procedures with a particular focus on keyhole surgery including laparoscopic anti-reflux, obesity and hernia surgery, breast surgery, and endoscopy. He lives locally and is passionately involved in developing and growing health services in the North East and Border regions.
He consults and operates in Wangaratta as well as Albury-Wodonga and Mr Adam Cichowitz believes in comprehensive and compassionate care and a long-term collaborative relationship with patients.
Mr Cichowitz said BMI was a measure of obesity based on a person's height and weight.
"Moderate obesity (BMI 30 to 35) reduces a person's life expectancy by three years," he said.
"Morbid obesity (BMI 40 to 50) reduces life expectancy by about 10 years, which is similar to the effect of lifelong smoking.
"A healthy lifestyle is very important to having a healthy weight but some people are fighting a losing battle against their own genetics and this is when weight loss surgery can help."
