Weight management was voted one of the major health concerns in Australia’s Biggest Health Check Survey. To learn more about why it’s so important to maintain a healthy weight, we enlisted the help of one of the nation’s most eminent dietetics and nutrition experts, Associate Professor Margaret Allman-Farinelli.
The Professor in Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of Sydney and current Vice President of the Dietitians Association of Australia, Margaret Allman-Farinelli has over 30 years experience in public health. She is actively involved in research for the prevention and treatment of obesity-related chronic disease, has published numerous research articles and contributed to submissions made to the House of Representatives, Primary Health Care Reform and Preventative Health Task Force. The Dietitians Association of Australia has honoured her with several awards.
Talking weight management
Professor Margaret Allman-Farinelli explains why it’s so important to keep your weight down.
Priceline: Why is weight management so important?
Prof. Margaret: It’s about being healthy and enjoying a great quality of life. As we age most of us find our weight creeping up. Many women gain weight during pregnancy and menopause, but in general, more men have problems with their weight than women. An abundance of high-energy foods available 24/7 and our increasingly sedentary jobs sitting in front of computer screens are among the reasons why, by middle age, 55% of women and 68% of men are overweight or obese. It’s important to manage your weight because obesity increases the likelihood of chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, osteoarthritis and certain cancers such as breast cancer and colorectal cancer.
Priceline: There are so many fad diets out there it’s confusing: no-carbs, no protein, the lemon detox, the cabbage soup diet, what’s your opinion of them?
Prof. Margaret: They’re all a waste of time! They sound attractive and promise great results but the only way for sustained weight loss is to eat sensibly and exercise more. Look for opportunities to be active in everyday life.
Priceline: What’s sensible eating?
Prof. Margaret: Lots of veggies, moderate amounts of fruits, wholegrain cereals, low fat or skim dairy products. Your diet should also include lean meat and/or poultry and fish or perhaps eggs or tofu or nuts to meet protein requirements. One should try to minimise or eliminate extra foods and beverages that are high in fat, sugar and alcohol.
Priceline: How much exercise is enough?
Prof. Margaret: Take every opportunity you can to be physically active so take the stairs, look for active forms of transport like walking or cycling and don’t sit down at your computer all day. Try to exercise for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week and for an hour if you’re trying to lose weight. Before commencing any new exercise program make sure you consult your doctor.
Priceline: There’s so much information out there about weight management, what are your top three tips?
Prof. Margaret:
• weigh yourself weekly (but don’t be obsessive)
• improve the quality of your diet – this might require planning
• take every opportunity to be physically active
Priceline: What’s the one piece of advice you'd give women regarding their health?
Prof. Margaret: Find time to take care of yourself; women are so busy taking care of everyone else they don’t find time for their own relaxation.
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