Saudi Gazette It has been a popular trend among young Saudi girls who get engaged, to visit nutritionists and regimen centers a few months prior to tying the knot – taking a fling to lose weight and look slender on their big day. In an exclusive interview, Eiman Al-Ayoubi, a Saudi nutrition specialist told Saudi Gazette that many young couples here try to maintain their weight and watch their diet just before getting married. Nevertheless, a couple of years after marriage, the two spouses — especially a woman develops the risk of facing obesity and becoming overweight. Q - What are the factors that link obesity to marriage? A - According to recent research, women have a 63 percent risk of developing obesity during the first five years after marriage. This is due to the fact that the husbands and wives become less conscious of their appearance and lose their drive to attract their partner. Q - Why do married couples become more susceptible to gain weight compared to bachelors? A - The blissful married couple usually grow more prone to eat larger portions of food after marriage and also they become less engaged in any physical activity and the life style of Saudi Arabia contributes to such apathy. They create their own unhealthy environment of less activity and more food. Q - What are the main factors that lead to obesity among spouses? A - The biggest factor which is to be blamed for obesity and weight gain among women would be pregnancy and childbirth. However, there are several other factors that lead to weight gain and obesity, such as enjoying assorted kinds of gastronomy, staying at home and watching TV all day long, refraining from visiting the gym at least once or twice a week and the total dependence on housemaids for most of the housework. In simple words, the general attitude held by most women after marriage is to get relaxed and never worry about her look as long as she has already got the man who loves her and who would like her in anyway she might look. Q - Would you like to give some advice to couples, especially wives who are suffering from obesity or developing its risk? A - Researches have shown that people who eat homemade food instead of eating outside have more chances of staying in shape. Thus, wives should try ever to make a homemade menu of healthy food and meals containing no junk food or intakes of high calories. Q - Could you please explain what do you mean by healthy food? A - I advise both husbands and wives to have more portions of fresh boiled vegetables (uncooked vegetables would be better), fruits, lean meat, and fresh juice. Q - Are there any Dos and Don'ts regarding eating habits? A - I would like to stress that one should eat slowly and chew the morsel very well. Never watch TV while eating as it would subconsciously increase the appetite to more eating. The best way to shed pounds is to exercise regularly and follow a healthy diet. Q - Do you recommend using some medicines as a subsidiary or secondary solution for losing weight? A - Many nutritionist recommend medicines for losing weight, in addition to a diet and work out. There are some medicines which can stop your intestines from absorbing some of the fats you consume. As a result, it would prevent the person form gaining weight. Nevertheless, such a medicine should be considered as the replacement of healthy food and exercise. It is only as an additional thing to the fitness regime. Q - Can such medicines be used freely without any restrictions? A - Although some weight loss tablets sound like every dieter's dream, they're not appropriate for everyone. We should check with a specialist before taking any medication. __
