OKLAHOMA CITY The Oklahoma City-County Health Department (OCCHD) will offer a free weight-loss program this spring to help people lose 5 percent of their body weight. Total Wellness classes are an interactive weight-loss program that meets once a week to prevent diabetes and heart disease.

The program runs for eight weeks, and participants learn how to make healthy choices, find time to be more physically active, change unhealthy behaviors, lose weight and feel stronger.

Sign-up is open now for the spring sessions that begin in April and are offered at eight locations around the Oklahoma City metro. Please complete the Total Wellness website form. Attendees will receive a confirmation email from OCCHD prior to the start of class. For more information, call 405-425-4422 or email totalwellness@occhd.org.

Please call Ken Johnson, OCCHD Media Relations Coordinator, at (405) 425-4315 to schedule an interview with a Total Wellness subject matter expert.

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Health department enrolling for free weight-loss classes - Edmond Sun

The health of a British mum locked up in an Iranian prison on secret charges is rapidly deteriorating as she suffers dramatic weight and hair loss and is left "virtually unable to walk", her family have said.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, 38, a British-Iranian citizen, was detained as she was trying to return to Britain with her daughter Gabriella after visiting family in Iran last April.

Since then she has been held as a political prisoner and sentenced to five years behind bars for charges which have not been made public.

The charity worker was accused of plotting to topple the Iranian regime and an appeal made to lower her sentence was rejected in January.

Now Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffes sister-in-law Rebecca Jones, who lives in Cardiff, said that while her brother Richards wife was no longer being kept in high security, she was starting to suffer physically.

Evin Prison, where she is held, is known for its severe conditions and its impact on prisoners health.

Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe is said to have suffered dangerous weight loss, hair loss and has become virtually unable to walk.

GP Mrs Jones said: Nazanin is still in Evin Prison. Shes now in a political wing, so she is no longer isolated and is with other prisoners so she is starting to make friends.

Physically, her health is deteriorating. She now has problems with her left shoulder, neck and left arm.

She had a visit from a neurologist who wanted her to go to hospital but every prison has rejected that, though negotiations are ongoing.

She now has more regular visits from Gabriella with her mum and dad and she gets occasional calls to Richard once or twice a month.

Richard Ratcliffe has not seen his wife or daughter since before they left for Iran, with Gabriella in the care of Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffes parents who live in Tehran.

Mrs Jones said: Shes still very desperate to come out as soon as possible. Shes having a lot of panic attacks, anxiety and restless nights which are affecting her physical health as well. In many ways things have got better for her but I think it has hit home that her release might not be imminent any time soon.

Of course she has been in prison with women who havent been released for seven or eight years.

Back in the UK, Mr Ratcliffe, of Hampstead, north-west London, has been in contact with the UK Government to petition them to put pressure on Iranian regime to release his wife.

Mrs Jones said: I think the longer this goes on the more frustrating it is for Richard.

The whole family are bewildered why nobody high up in the Government hasnt asked for her release. When you go back and talk to the Government and nothing much has changed, its disheartening really.

There are good days and bad days. Richard tries to be upbeat but when hes in his flat on his own he can get quite low.

Mrs Jones will be holding an event in Cardiff city centre next Sunday to celebrate Nowruz, the traditional Iranian festival of spring, considered the start of the new year among Iranians.

It is hoped more than 100 people will attend the event, with local Amnesty groups supporting it.

Readings will be performed, including a letter from Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe. After this, 30 hyacinths will be planted in the market garden next to St John the Baptist Church, to symbolise Nowruz.

Mrs Jones said: Were doing this to mark Nowruz which is why Nazanin went out to Iran in the first place and to show her we are still thinking of her.

When we have events like this, its uplifting to get support from people and it helps Nazanin and her family.

A spokesman from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: We are deeply concerned that Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffes sentence has been confirmed following an unsuccessful appeal while Iran continues to refuse the UK consular access to her.

The UKs Minister for the Middle East, Tobias Ellwood, has spoken to his Iranian opposite number to express our concerns.

The Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary have both previously raised this case with their counterparts.

We have been supporting Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffes family since we were first made aware of her arrest.

Mr Ellwood has met her husband in London and her family in Tehran to assure them that we will continue to do all we can for her.

We are continuing to press the Iranians for consular access and for due process to be followed, and are ready to help get her daughter back safely to the UK if requested.

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British mum held prisoner in Iran is 'virtually unable to walk' as she suffers severe weight and hair loss - Mirror.co.uk

By Sola Ogundipe

Obesity means having far too much body fat. Its about much more than your clothing size or how you look. It can seriously affect your health. Your whole body feels it, from your joints to your heart, blood pressure, blood sugar, and other systems. The extra fat cells produce inflammation and various hormones, which boosts your odds of chronic medical conditions.

Obesity describes someone who is very overweight with a high degree of body fat. Being a little overweight may not cause many noticeable problems, but once you are carrying a few extra kilograms, you may develop symptoms that affect your daily life.

Are you obese?

Obesity is beyond being simply overweight. Its very common more than 1 in 5 adults are obese. If youre one of them, you can work to lose weight. Although its not easy, dropping some of those extra kilos maybe fewer than you think starts to turn things around for you.

Body Mass Index

The most widely used method to assess a persons weight is the body mass index (BMI), which is your weight in kilograms divided by your height in metres squared.

For adults, experts usually define obesity based on body mass index. If your BMI is between 25 and 29, you would be considered overweight; if between 30 and 40, you would be considered obese and if over 40, you would be considered very obese.

What your BMI says

If two people weigh the same amount but one is taller than the other, the taller person will have a lower BMI. To find your body mass index, plug your height and weight into a BMI calculator.

If your BMI is: Below 18.5 you are underweight. If it is 18.5-24.9 youre normal; 25-29.9 is overweight and 30 or higher is obese. If youre obese, your doctor might talk about the categories of obesity:

Obesity level l: BMI of 30-34.9

Obesity level ll: BMI of 35-39.9

Obesity level lll: BMI of 40 or higher (morbid) obesity

Problems with BMI

Body mass index doesnt tell the whole story about your body, though. Your BMI doesnt show whether your weight is fat or muscle. If youre a super-fit athlete, your muscle might put you in the overweight or obese range. Or, if youre elderly and have lost muscle mass over the years, your BMI could be normal, but youre not in as good shape as you think. The formula also doesnt show where your fat is located on your body. And it doesnt consider differences among ethnic groups.

As obese children also tend to be obese in later life, it is important for parents to set the right example for their children from an early age. If you are overweight or obese, visit your doctor to find out if you are at increased risk of health problems, and how you can safely lose weight.

Underlying causes for obesity

*certain medicine or a medical condition that causes weight gain,

*your lifestyle particularly your diet and how much physical activity you do, and also whether you smoke, and how much alcohol you drink

*how you feel about being overweight for example, if you are feeling depressed about it or how motivated you are to lose weight

*family history of obesity and other health conditions, such as diabetes

As well as calculating your BMI, your doctor may also perform tests including measuring your blood pressure, the distance around your waist, as well as glucose (sugar) and lipid (fat) levels in your blood.

Obesity vs overweight

Being obese is different from being overweight. Obesity is an important condition which causes significant morbidity and mortality through increased rates of type 2 diabetes mellitus and heart disease, amongst other conditions. It can also cause sleep disturbances and lead to reduced fertility rates.

Obesity and pain

There now appears to be a strong link between obesity and pain. Studies show that obese people are much more likely to feel light to intense pain in many parts of the body. Scientists do not understand exactly how or why obesity causes pain, but it is clear that weight loss can help reduce pain and improve quality of life for obese patients.

Check your Waist Size

Another useful method is to measure around your waist. Men whose waist measurement is 40 inches or 94 cm or more and women whose waist measurment is 35 inches or 80 cm or more are more likely to develop obesity-related health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and some types of cancer.

If your waist is more than 35 inches around and youre a woman, or if its more than 40 inches and youre a man, you might have too much belly fat. Carrying extra fat around your stomach is unhealthy, no matter what your BMI is.

The Edmonton Scale

There are five stages:

Stage 0: You dont have any health problems related to your weight.

Stage 1: Any weight-related health problems are mild (such as borderline high blood pressure or occasional aches and pains).

Stage 2: You have an obesity-related chronic disease, such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, or osteoarthritis, and you have moderate problems doing daily activities or feeling well.

Stage 3: Youve had serious weight-related problems, such as a heart attack, heart failure, stroke, or other conditions.

Stage 4: This is the most severe level of weight-related chronic health conditions, which are extreme and life-threatening..

What obesity does to your body

The risks go up and up as BMI increases. Obesity puts extra stress on your bones, joints, and organs, making them work harder than they should. Too much body fat raises your blood pressure and cholesterol, and makes heart disease and stroke more likely. It also worsens conditions like osteoarthritis, back pain, asthma, and sleep apnea.

Too much fat causes inflammation that can damage cells. Obesity is also linked to several types of cancers. It can also make your body respond less well to insulin, which controls your blood sugar. Over time, that can lead to type 2 diabetes.

The weight makes it harder to be active, too. Carrying around extra pounds takes extra energy, so it can be difficult for obese people to exercise.

What helps

If youve tried to lose weight before, you know its much easier said than done. Its not just about willpower, and the solutions go way beyond counting calories, fat grams, or carbs. What you eat and how active you are affects your whole day. Youll need to makeover the habits that go into your meals, snacks, and activities.

Thats a huge commitment. Take it one small step at a time. You can build on successes. Dont try to do too much, too soon. If you often eat for emotional reasons, youll need to find other ways to handle the feelings that usually make you eat. Consider talking with a counselor. She can help you make those shifts in how you think, and how you relate to food and to your body.

Meanwhile, your body might resist your weight-loss efforts. If someone does lose 20 or 30 pounds, their metabolism goes down and they start to burn fewer calories. Our bodies are designed to regain weight, so its much easier to prevent obesity than to treat it.

Making changes

Before you start to make changes, write down everything you eat and drink for a few days. This can help you decide what you need to change about your diet.

Most people, at any weight, need to eat more fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins. They also need to cut out junk food and sugary drinks.

Being active is also key. Any kind of movement helps, and you dont have to go to a gym. Ask your doctor whats OK for you to do. A certified personal trainer can help you plan a workout that fits your needs.

If you find that you need more help than diet and exercise, talk with your doctor. Certain prescription drugs are approved for weight loss. They curb your appetite or prevent your body from absorbing fat. Youll still need to watch what you eat and be active.

Weight loss surgery can help people lose large amounts of weight. But its not right for everyone, and it does have risks. You wont be able to eat like you used to, you might need to take vitamins to meet your nutritional needs, and youll need to work on diet and exercise to keep up the results.

Keep your perspective

If it all seems like too much to take on, or if your past tries to lose weight make you wonder if it will ever happen for you, take a moment to challenge those thoughts. Its not about being a certain size. Its about small steps that add up to better health over time. If you lose as little as 5-10 per cent of your weight, it starts to make a positive difference. Focus on what is possible for you and what you can commit to, even if its just for right now. You can make the decision again tomorrow and build your way to where you want to be, day by day.

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OBESITY: Be healthy, not heavy - Nigeria Today

But there are simple ways to trick the brain into following a new diet regime that are simple to do and proven to have a positive effect.

Forget counting calories or weighing out strict portions - the secret to success in healthy eating requires more unusual methods.

Professor Charles Spence and chef Josef Youssef shared what they believe to be the most effect methods for sticking to healthy eating goals with the Guardian.

Top of their list was tricking the brain into believing you are more full than you are.

The latest research shows that the weight of cutlery and crockery has a significant effect on our appreciation for meals we eat

Professor Charles Spence and chef Josef Youssef

They explained: Research shows that using smaller crockery tends to trick our brains into believing we are eating more.

If you put two identical portions of food on a big plate and a small plate, the portion on the bigger plate will look smaller, and vice versa: our brains cant help but be fooled by this effect, even when we know they are the same.

We also know that serving food in a bowl instead of on a plate can give the food a greater sense of volume and depth, yet again tricking our brains into thinking there is more there than is actually the case.

The latest research shows that the weight of cutlery and crockery has a significant effect on our appreciation for meals we eat; with heavier plates and knives and forks offering greater levels of satiety.

Getty Images

Getty Images

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Paleo, Durkin & Atkins, the most popular diets explained

As well as changing what you serve your food in, you should make it more difficult to actually eat your meal.

Not by hiding food from yourself - but by changing how you actually eat it.

Prof. Spence and chef Youssef said: Try using creative ways to enjoy interacting with your food, such as using Japanese soup spoons to eat your soup, or chopsticks for other foods anything, in fact, that stops you from simply shovelling food into your mouth.

Next, serious dieters have to ditch the TV. Research has shown people will eat up to 30 per cent more food when they are eating while distracted.

The experts advised: TV, messaging and checking social media are surefire ways to ensure youre not focused on the food you are eating; youll appreciate it less, which inevitably results in both a reduced sense of satiety and overeating.

Getty Images

Finally, they advised eating with all your senses. Explaining why this is important, the duo said: At the core of what we do is the idea of helping people to be truly mindful of the dishes that they are presented with.

At home this can be as simple as taking a moment before eating to sniff your food and really appreciate the aromas. (Many researchers believe that up to 90 per cent of what we perceive as flavour comes from our sense of smell.)

Holding a warm bowl in your hand also helps, as does chewing properly and exhaling as you chew this stimulates the olfactory receptors and further enhances the flavour of food.

Finally, focus on the texture. Its interesting to note that we consume fewer calories when eating apples than we do with apple puree, and fewer calories with apple puree than apple juice because we get more sensation information from the puree than the juice, more still from the actual apple. In other words, our brains use the amount of sensation we receive from texture as one of the cues to tell us when to stop eating.

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Weight loss TRICK will make sure your healthy eating plan works EVERY time - Express.co.uk