 |
IN FOCUS: ARTICLE |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
The Skinny on Diet Pills
by Christy Brownlee, 04.29.03
"Many of the women on TV have body weights that are more indicative of an eating disorder than normal weight." |
|
You've got your date, you've got your shoes — but how are you going to fit into that teeny-tiny dress? If you answered "diet pills," you're not alone. According to a recent study by the University of Michigan, almost 25 percent of girls turn to pills when they're trying to lose weight.
If you think diet pills are going to be a quick and easy fix for a few extra pounds, then here's some bad news — not only are diet pills an ineffective way to lose weight permanently, they can even kill you. Read on to find out about diet pills, even the ones you may think are safe. More importantly, find out about some healthy strategies for tipping the scales in your favor — that is, if you even need to lose weight at all!
What's Up With Weight?
If you haven't noticed, Americans are getting heavier. Recent statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that about one-third of the population is overweight.
But that doesn't mean you are. According to Roberta Anding, a clinical dietician and nutritionist from Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, teens often have trouble gauging if their body size is normal because they compare it to what they see on television.
"Many of the women on television have body weights that are more indicative of an eating disorder than normal weight," said Anding. "When you see that as the norm, then you begin to judge your body as abnormal, when it could be very normal," she said. While 30 to 40 percent of all teen girls are on weight reduction diets at a given time, only about 10 percent of all teens are actually overweight.
Scary Side Effects
So, if you're absolutely sure that you want to lose weight, your clinician might agree that pills might help peel off a few pounds. "But you may feel bad when you take them," says Anding.
Feeling bad is an understatement. Many diet pills can cause
- high blood pressure
- heart palpitations and irregular heartbeats
- dizziness
- blurred vision
- headaches
- insomnia
- anxiety
- depression
And if you're using diet pills to try to look more attractive, forget it — dietary fat blockers (such as orlistat) can cause gas, diarrhea, and uncontrollable bowel movements. Vitamin deficiencies that result from these drugs can lead to dry skin and hair loss. Really beautiful, right?
Even so-called "natural" diet pills cause side effects. One of the most common ingredients in over-the-counter diet pills, ephedra, is also the most dangerous. Derived from the herb ma huang, ephedra can cause headaches, nausea, and can cause heart attacks and strokes — even in teens. According to Anding, many guys take pills containing ephedra and its common companion, caffeine, because they think it'll improve their performance in sports. Wrong! The pills won't improve the performance and many sport organizations, like the NCAA, ban their use.
Healthier Ways
Using diet pills as a "quick fix" won't work. "If you didn't gain 20 pounds in one week, you won't lose it that fast either," said Anding. Use these tips to lose weight healthfully and to keep it off:
- Don't skip meals, especially breakfast — you'll make up the calories later in the day by eating more food at other meals.
- Make half your plate fruits and vegetables. Loading up on these low-calorie foods will make you feel fuller faster.
- Stay away from greasy foods, like French fries and pizza.
- Moderate your portion sizes — don't eat more than the recommended serving.
- Exercise regularly, and drink plenty of water instead of soft drinks.
These tips are a good idea for anyone to follow, whether you're at a healthy weight or have some pounds to lose. By learning how to eat healthfully now, you might not have to worry about losing weight for the rest of your life! |
|
|
|
Printable Version
Email this page