The Daily News

Area adults considered to be obese are facing the greatest challenge of their lives, according to health officials.

Obesity is defined by a body mass index - a number calculated from a person's weight and height - of 36 or greater, said Dr. Garry Mislan, M.D. Overweight individuals have a BMI of 30 or greater.

High levels of inactivity are associated with the condition. Twenty-five to 30 percent of patients who visit Sanford-MeritCare in Wahpeton are almost totally inactive, he said.

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"They don't really get out and walk, they don't get out and exercise in any way. This is a very significant change in demographics over the past 20 years," he said.

Health problems resulting from obesity include increased levels of arthritis and metabolic syndrome, a group of conditions that speeds up the risk of heart disease and diabetes. Doctors are noticing more teens with adult-type diabetes, a problem the nation hadn't seen before the last decade, said Mislan.

But as heart disease is the leading cause of death in men and women, the issue of obesity is a very significant one.

"Eighty-five percent of men die as a result of cardiovascular disease," he said. "We see many, many 50-year-old men (here) with a scar down the middle of their chest from bypass surgery."

Last month, North Dakota ranked 21st in a nationwide study on obese adults and had statistically significant increases for two years in a row, according to a report by the Trust for America's Health and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Although the state of Minnesota ranked 32 in the study, a majority of its adult residents - about 2.2 million - are overweight or obese, according to a recent Minnesota Department of Health summary.

For many, the hardest step is getting started on a weight-loss plan. Shawn Krause-Roberts, a physical therapist at Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy Inc., in Breckenridge, suggests a gradual approach at first - a few days of exercise, a few fruits and vegetables. Fifteen to 30 minutes of exercise is recommended per day, and the addition of muscle will help burn fat and strengthen the body, she said.

At OSPTI, she's noticed that groups of two or three people who exercise regularly seem to improve the most.

"The best thing about it is it gives you more energy," she said. "You take off a few pounds, and you can tell. You feel better and you enjoy life better."

Aquatic physical therapy can help individuals who suffer from leg pain and find it difficult to walk.

"The pain is almost eliminated," she said. "They can do a 20-minute workout and not have that muscle soreness afterwards."

Snacking on fresh fruits and vegetables can significantly reduce caloric intake and boost the immune system. The cost of produce shouldn't be an issue, either - backyard gardens are easy to create and seeds are super cheap, she said.

"You can do a garden with a group of people, and there's lots of people doing that right now," she said. "I have some beans and onions and stuff on a small patch in the backyard, and it gives us a little bit of fresh (produce) and teaches our kids to grow stuff, too."

However, surgery may be the best solution for residents who are 100 pounds heavier than average. Diet and exercise alone will only be of minimal help, said Mislan.

"It literally takes a whole change in lifestyle and beliefs," he said. "As a result, we're seeing an increased amount of obesity surgery done."

Unfortunately, there are no quick fixes, he added. When he talks to patients in his office, he asks - Do you want to be around to help raise your grandchildren? Are you interested in being active during retirement?

"Unless it hits you personally, (the attitude is) tomorrow's problems are someone else's problems," he said. "Walking, avoiding that second helping of sweets and treats is where you start. There's no magic to it."

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