It is high time that we quickly move away from the fat debate. Further, this debate often provides mixed messages that are based not merely on strong evidence or science. It is unfortunately not even based on common sense. However, it is evident that these confusing massages do more harm to our community health and well-being. The importance of maintaining a healthy balanced diet based on common sense evidence needs to be promoted in order to enhance community overall health and well-being. It is equally important to promote a healthy balanced diet if we sincerely want to prevent some chronic diseases in our communities. It makes sense that clinicians' advice to their patients on the right diet needs to be based on a common sense approach rather than ever changing science and research. It is very important that clinicians advise their patients to embrace a healthy diet as part of their daily routine (1, 2).This makes sense as new research shows that well balanced diets could enhance our children’s school performance to varying degrees (3). Further, research indicates that eating a well balanced diet throughout the day enhances our daily work and the productivity (4).
A daily well balanced diet could include but is not limited to the following: fruits, vegetables, nuts, proteins (plant and animal based), moderate amount of carbohydrates, wholegrain food, dairy products, dietary fiber, healthy level of most vitamins and minerals (often available from a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, protein and dairy products). We also need to promote, adequate daily water intake, avoid excessive salt, refined sugar, sugary drinks.
REFERENCES:
(1). Al-Isa AN, Campbell J, Desapriya E, Wijesinghe N. J Obes. 2011;2011:512363. doi: 10.1155/2011/512363. Epub 2011 Apr 27.
(2). Al-Isa AN, Campbell J, Desapriya E. Factors Associated with Overweight and Obesity among Kuwaiti Elementary Male School Children Aged 6-10 Years. Int J Pediatr. 2010;2010. pii: 459261. doi: 10.1155/2010/459261. Epub 2010 Sep 22.
(3). Kim SY, Sim S, Park B, Kong IG, Kim JH, Choi HG. Dietary Habits Are Associated With School Performance in Adolescents. Medicine (Baltimore). 2016 Mar;95(12):e3096. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000003096.
(4). Conner TS, Brookie KL, Richardson AC, Polak MA. On carrots and curiosity: eating fruit and vegetables is associated with greater flourishing in daily life. Br J Health Psychol. 2015 May;20(2):413-27. doi: 10.1111/bjhp.12113. Epub 2014 Jul 30.
Competing interests:
No competing interests
15 April 2016
Ediriweera Desapriya
Research Associate
Department of Emergency Medicine, University of British Columbia
2nd Floor, 828 West 10th Avenue Research Pavilion Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9
Rapid Response:
Fat debate
It is high time that we quickly move away from the fat debate. Further, this debate often provides mixed messages that are based not merely on strong evidence or science. It is unfortunately not even based on common sense. However, it is evident that these confusing massages do more harm to our community health and well-being. The importance of maintaining a healthy balanced diet based on common sense evidence needs to be promoted in order to enhance community overall health and well-being. It is equally important to promote a healthy balanced diet if we sincerely want to prevent some chronic diseases in our communities. It makes sense that clinicians' advice to their patients on the right diet needs to be based on a common sense approach rather than ever changing science and research. It is very important that clinicians advise their patients to embrace a healthy diet as part of their daily routine (1, 2).This makes sense as new research shows that well balanced diets could enhance our children’s school performance to varying degrees (3). Further, research indicates that eating a well balanced diet throughout the day enhances our daily work and the productivity (4).
A daily well balanced diet could include but is not limited to the following: fruits, vegetables, nuts, proteins (plant and animal based), moderate amount of carbohydrates, wholegrain food, dairy products, dietary fiber, healthy level of most vitamins and minerals (often available from a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, protein and dairy products). We also need to promote, adequate daily water intake, avoid excessive salt, refined sugar, sugary drinks.
REFERENCES:
(1). Al-Isa AN, Campbell J, Desapriya E, Wijesinghe N. J Obes. 2011;2011:512363. doi: 10.1155/2011/512363. Epub 2011 Apr 27.
(2). Al-Isa AN, Campbell J, Desapriya E. Factors Associated with Overweight and Obesity among Kuwaiti Elementary Male School Children Aged 6-10 Years. Int J Pediatr. 2010;2010. pii: 459261. doi: 10.1155/2010/459261. Epub 2010 Sep 22.
(3). Kim SY, Sim S, Park B, Kong IG, Kim JH, Choi HG. Dietary Habits Are Associated With School Performance in Adolescents. Medicine (Baltimore). 2016 Mar;95(12):e3096. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000003096.
(4). Conner TS, Brookie KL, Richardson AC, Polak MA. On carrots and curiosity: eating fruit and vegetables is associated with greater flourishing in daily life. Br J Health Psychol. 2015 May;20(2):413-27. doi: 10.1111/bjhp.12113. Epub 2014 Jul 30.
Competing interests: No competing interests