Keeping Away from Obesity

CEBU, Philippines - It is common knowledge that Filipinos love to eat. From "lechon," "pochero," "bulalo," to all kinds of street foods, to name a few, majority of our favorite dishes contribute to an unhealthy diet. Along with that is our great love for fastfood.

Even more than the cultural aspect, social factors also contribute to our liability to fall for an unhealthy lifestyle. With the advent of the internet, almost everyone tends to stay stuck with computers and other such gadgets, veering away from active physical activities. These have all led to a rise of diseases like hypertension, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes. These deadly diseases used to be associated only with old age, but are now very common among both the young and old, and both men and women. The leading cause of these so-called "lifestyle diseases" is obesity.

Obesity is a condition where the body has much more fat than is optimally healthy. It is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have an adverse effect on health, leading to increased health problems and reduced life expectancy. Based on a survey by the National Statistics Coordination Board (NSCB), the number of overweight Filipinos has increased at 26.6% as of 2008 compared to 16.6% in 1993.  This increase came about despite a reported drop in Filipino's food intake. However, the NSCB pointed out that the problem is not in the amount of food, but the kind of food that Filipinos consume.

There have been many options that claim to cure obesity. And many people have been swayed to take quick fixes. But Cohen's Lifestyle Program founder Dr. Rami Cohen believes that food, the root of all these problems, can also be the solution to our health woes. The Cohen program is an innovative diet that focuses on food; how one can enjoy it, but at the same time remain healthy.

In the Cohen program, the person's blood chemistry is analyzed first and then a personalized plan is tailor-fitted just for him. The eating plan is aimed at activating the body's natural ability to shed off fat safely and, best of all, rapidly. Cohen practitioners have attested to losing an average of 8 to 10 pounds of body weight a month. And that's only for starters; the next step in the program is the re-feeding phase, where the person is assisted into a lifestyle that goes beyond mere weight loss but most importantly to keep at the ideal weight for good. 

There's no question about how a healthy person is a happy person, too. And there's no reason why one shall not take the necessary journey towards personal health. The first step might as well be to take the Cohen Program.

The Cohen's Lifestyle Centre Philippines in Cebu is at Suite 105 Oakridge Business Center A, Oakridge Business Park, 880 A.S. Fortuna Street, Banilad, Mandaue City.  Their phone number is (032) 236-2334 or (0917) 308-0580; and website at www.cohenlifestyle.com. (FREEMAN)