Minto-Mapleton Family Health Team dietitian Paula Trinier brought good News to diners at the October Seniors Centre for Excellence congregate dinner. The News: it is not necessarily a bad thing to carry a little extra weight as a person ages.
The white laboratory coats, weigh scales, body mass index charts and diets are tools of the past in Trinier’s practice.
“I don’t go to the left or to the right. I’m kind of an in-the-middle person. The Health at Every Size (HAES) program is one that I like,” Trinier said.
HAES supports people in adopting healthier habits for the sake of health and well being rather than weight control. Health issues include and are not limited to emotional, spiritual, environmental, genetics and social equality.
“The media sends the message that thin is healthy and fat is unhealthy; exercising and eating better makes a person healthier. That’s not necessarily true,” Trinier said.
“There are a whole range of other factors that influence a person’s health. Medical issues and medications are just two factors that influence the health of a person.”
Trinier went on to say that for a number of years now society has been led to believe obesity causes heart disease, diabetes, stroke and certain types of cancers. Obesity may be linked to these diseases, but is not the cause, she says.
“It has been estimated that diets are a $61-billion industry. Research associated with dieting and weight loss is poor. Basically diets don’t work,” Trinier said.
She suggests the HAES program to her clients as it is a weight neutral approach that involves healthy eating and healthy attitudes. The body will seek its natural weight and a person should eat in response to their body’s cues. In the program all foods are acceptable and leading an active life that includes exercising is encouraged.
Life expectancy
on the rise
Statistics shown in Trinier’s presentation through graphs and charts indicate obesity rates have levelled out and life expectancy is on the rise.
In research studies of non-diet and diet groups, the non-diet group was more accepting of their body image, listened to their bodies hunger and fullness cues, chose activities that enabled them to enjoy their body shape, had no weight gains and an eight per cent drop out rate.
Participants in the diet group saw no significant improvement in their body image, had a 41% drop out rate and experienced weight loss and gain.
“Humans are fascinated with weight loss and are hard wired for sugar, salt and fat.Small doses of the forbidden fruit are okay. In my practice in Drayton I am blessed, as most of my clients like their meat, potatoes and vegetables and are healthy,” Trinier said.
