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Healthy Dieting Versus Atkins Diet

Obesity is currently one of the most serious health problems in the United States . According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC , about 33 .3 of men and 35 .3 of women in the U .S . were considered overweight between 2005 and 2006 . Between 2003 and 2004 meanwhile , the prevalence of obesity among children aged 12-19 years was said to have increased from 5 to 17 .4 . A person is said to be overweight if his or

her Body Mass Index (BMI ) is between 25 and 29 .9 and obese if he or she has a BMI of 30 or higher (CDC , n . pag

As a result , many Americans suffer from or die of lifestyle-oriented ailments that are otherwise highly-preventable . According to the American Heart Association , 451 ,326 Americans died of heart attack in 2004 . Stroke claimed the lives of 275 ,000 Americans in 2002 (Internet Stroke Center , n . pag . In the same year , 224 ,092 Americans died of diabetes (CDC , 6 . Doctors attributed these mortality rates to sedentary lifestyles and high consumption of processed foods

These statistics prompted many Americans to assume various weight-loss regimens . The fitness industry in the U .S , in turn , capitalized on this need and offered a wide range of weight-loss strategies . From diet pills to liposuction , fitness centers throughout the country are making a killing out of making people thinner . The fitness industry was said to have earned 14 .8 billion (2005 ) in the last ten years (Gold 's Gym , n pag

One of the most popular fad diets nowadays is the Atkins diet . In this two-week diet , consumption of proteins and fats is allowed , but all forms of carbohydrates must be eliminated . Atkins operates on the premise that obesity is a result of excessive carbohydrate intake Although the human body burns both carbohydrates and fat for energy , it uses carbohydrates first . The Atkins diet believes that should there be fewer carbohydrates in the body , it will burn fat more efficiently (WebMD , n . pag

But the Atkins diet is very controversial primarily because of its negative health effects . The lack of carbohydrates forces the body to go into a state of ketosis , wherein it generates energy by burning its own fat . Ketosis , in turn , results in weight loss through decreased appetite . However , ketosis may also cause bad breath and constipation in some people (WebMD , n . pag

Health and nutrition experts are concerned that Atkins will lead to more serious and long-term health problems . High intake of saturated fats may bring about higher risks of heart disease . Osteoporosis may likewise ensue due to low calcium consumption (dairy products are major sources of calcium . Nutritional deficiencies due to lack of vegetables and fruits in the diet may result in heart disease , cancer , premature aging and cataracts . Excessive consumption of protein may weaken bones or cause kidney ailments (Kellow , n . pag

The core flaws of the Atkins diet are its unrealistic goal when it comes...

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