Parsippany, N.J., March 16, 2010 – While some may debate whether small dietary changes should be the principle foundation for combating U.S. childhood obesity, decades of research support their positive impact on weight and health.
Does eating that extra cookie a day really mean anything to overall health? A recent New York Times article, “In Obesity Epidemic, What’s One Cookie?” explained that even with initial weight gain, the cookie’s calories will go towards energy for the extra body weight, and “the body adjusts and stop gaining weight over time, even if the person continues to eat the cookie.”
While the body does adjust to the one cookie over time, there’s still a likelihood of long-term weight gain, according to John Foreyt, Ph.D., director of the Behavioral Medicine Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine.
“Weight gain over the years is the result of continuous repeated changes in diet and lifestyle. Likewise, people making healthy nutritional choices, even small ones, over time can lose weight and positively impact their health” says Foreyt.
Research shows small changes in diet resulting in weight loss can significantly improve health, according to Ozgur Sancak, M.D., PhD, and DSM Personalized Nutrition’s nutrigenetics and nutrigenomics scientist.
“The difference between healthy and overweight individuals is on average, 100 calories a day,” said Sancak, quoting research in a USDA science publication, Agricultural Research Magazine. “That’s equal to a small bag of chips, 10 ounces of soda or one slice of bread each day.”
Eating two meals of oily fish such as mackerel or salmon per week, also a small change, has been proven to reduce cardiovascular disease, Sancak added.
Other research demonstrates that modest weight loss reduces the risk of other weight-associated diseases.
A recent research review by Dr. Ken Fujioka on type 2 diabetes cited clinical studies that demonstrate losses as low as one to nine pounds have positive effects on metabolic control, cardiovascular risk factors and mortality rates.
Long-term studies also support the impact of moderate weight loss. The Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) in the U.S., for example, demonstrated weight loss results for people who were heavy and at risk for diabetes. Even a modest weight loss of seven percent, combined with 150 minutes a walking per week, showed a 58 percent reduction in the incidence of new cases of diabetes.
The main point, according to Dr. Foreyt from Baylor, is that small changes are easier to make than large lifestyle changes. The resulting increase in energy and psychological benefits from moderate weight loss often lead to larger additional lifestyle changes.
“The way to go is by making small changes — because they are achievable,” said Foreyt. “Big changes are very difficult to maintain on a long-term basis. Eating one less cookie, starting to walk daily is achievable — and often leads to additional changes.”
About DSM Personalized Nutrition
DSM Personalized Nutrition is a U.S. based subsidiary of DSM, a global leader in nutrition. Its GPNS™, Global Personal Nutrition System™, is an employee wellness program marketed to employers that mirrors a car’s global positioning system. GPNS is designed specifically to help employees achieve personal health goals by implementing small, yet meaningful dietary adjustments and complementary behavior changes; www.DSMPersonalizedNutrition.com
DSM — the Life Sciences and Materials Sciences Company
Royal DSM N.V. creates innovative products and services in Life Sciences and Materials Sciences that contribute to the quality of life. DSM has annual sales of more than $12 billion and employs some 23,000 people worldwide. The company is headquartered in the Netherlands, with locations on five continents. DSM is listed on Euronext Amsterdam; www.dsm.com
Forward-looking statements
Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release that involve inherent risks and uncertainties are based on current expectations, estimates and projections of the management of DSM and information currently available. DSM has no obligation to update any statements contained in this press release.
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Contact:
Gail DeLano
gdelano(at)fishervista.com
831.588.1567
http://www.dsm.com/le/en_US/pnut/html/nutrition.htm
Nico Bevers
Nico.Bevers(at)DSM.COM
973.257.8315
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