1 7 |Friday, October 14, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER Health & ^ Wei Iness Advertising Section Lifestyle and disease: the truth about obesity Obesity is not a lifestyle choice. It puts people at risk for serious correlated ill nesses like type 2 diabetes, hyperten sion, cardiovascular disease, some forms of cancers and reduced psycho logical well-being. As such, in 2015, the Canadian Medi cal Association officially recognized obe sity as a chronic disease requiring treat ment and prevention efforts. What's more, research has identified a number of obesity risk factors at play, including genetics, physical activity, diet, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, immigra tion and environmental factors. There isn't a one-size-fits-all explanation as to why some people live with chronic weight management issues while others don't. With all the existing research and infor mation on the disease, obesity continues to be stigmatized in Canada. According to a Leger survey, 86 per cent of Canadians believe that obesity is a result of personal choices related to physical activity and food intake. The survey also found that 55 per cent of Canadians believe that people living with obesity lack self-discipline. "People living with obesity are highly stigmatized in our society and are known to suffer from inequalities in employ ment, education and healthcare, often as a direct result of weight discrimination," says Brad Hussey, Communications Di rector for the Canadian Obesity Network. "We should be accepting body diversity rather than alienating so many Canadi ans because of their medical condition." Blame, fat-shaming and labelling is not an effective way to help the 6.5 mil lion Canadian adults living with obesity. Weight bias can lead to serious psycho logical consequences like depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, poor body judge ment and suicidal tendencies. A collective effort is needed to address obesity as a chronic medical condition, instead of judging people living with it. This starts with: · Promoting physical and psychological health, as opposed to extreme weight loss or dieting; · Removing judgement and understand ing that a person's weight does not de fine them; · Challenging weight bias and stigma, and remembering that there are factors at play beyond diet, exercise and selfdiscipline; and · Using people first language: Adam has obesity rather than saying Adam is obese. If you're living with obesity, contact your doctor to discuss an individual treatment plan that offers realistic and sustainable strategies to ensure successful chronic weight loss and management. www.newscanada.com | www.insideHALTON.com Bhandari Family Dentistry returns to Oakville BRING IN YOUR FAMILY FOR A CHECK-UP AT OUR NEW MODERN CLINIC Dr. Bhandari is an advocate of oral health with 31 years of experience. He and his team pride themselves fo r their professional and comprehensive approach to dentistry. Dr. Bhandari has proudly worked with a number of celebrities throughout his career, helping them maintain their red carpet worthy smiles! Customer care is our core concern. Whether you're looking fo r general maintenance, regular check-up treatments or cosmetic dentistry, we can help. Give Dr. Bhandari a call to book your appointm ent or consultation. reflection sO dental IN Y O 0 ^ sV^ Dr. M arisa D 'A n g e lo Dr. S h ivan i S a g g a r ACTUAL PATIENT TREATMENTS BY DR. BHANDARI We offer full Family Dental Services in our new modern office in a calm and relaxing environment. We are a paperless office and use digital x-rays. We welcom e kids, teens, adults and seniors. NEW PATIENTS are welcom e and we will accom m odate your dental emergencies We will directly bill your insurance com pany and offer convenient evening and weekend appointments. 2 5 2 5 O ld B r o n t e R o a d , S u ite # 1 3 0 P a le r m o P r o f e s s io n a l C e n t r e (ground door) v Dundas St. W . Crowns before Crowns after Bridgework before Bridgework after t N Porcelain Veneers Crowns and Bridges < Teeth Whitening Restorations Composite Resin Dental Implants Laser Dentistry New Patients & Dental Emergencies Welcome 1 ? f 2 O F, Pine Glen Rd. Periodontist on site BSc DIH DDS 905- 827-8700 www.reflections-dental.ca £ DR. VINEET BHANDARI 905.825.5110 M o n d a y to F rid a y 7:30 - 5:00. Evening and Saturday appointments available. DRUG MART · · · · · · Patient Counselling Complete Diabetic Care Home Visits Consultations Free RX Delivery Free Nutrition Counselling Pharmacist/Owner Voted Oakville's Favourite Pharmacist & Pharmacy DE RANGO PHARMACY INC 2501 Third Line I 905-465-3000 ( Open 24 hrs 17 Days a Week) DE RANGO PHARMACY INC 478 Dundas Street West 1905-257-9737 Canada Post w ww.shoppersdrugmart.ca Palermo Professional Centre 2525 Old Bronte Rd., Suite 470 Oakville (at Dundas street) · www.bhandaridental.com