Among university students at the Lebanese American
University, 37% of males are overweight while 13,6% of females are overweight1.
In 1996, figures were 23,4% of boys
and 19,7% of girls2. This evolution (increase in boys while a
reduction in girls) may be explained by the societal pressure on girls to be
thin, while it is not perceived to be as important for boys.
Knowing the many health problems associated with
being overweight, it is essential for BOTH boys and girls to be attentive to
their body. In addition to exercising and a healthy diet, drinking green tea
seems to help regaining a proper weight.
A study3 conducted at the Queen Margaret
University, Edinburgh observed the effects of green tea consumption. A group of
students between the ages of 19-37 were asked to drink 4 cups of green tea per
day without changing their usual diet. After 14 days, the students showed a reduction
in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, in total cholesterol, in body fat and
body weight. This may be explained by the high levels of polyphenols and other
antioxidants contained in green tea.
Try jasmine green tea and let me know what you
think.
You may also be interested by this article on
preschoolers’ obesity: Overweight Children in Beirut.
References:
1) Yahia et al., Najat (2008). Eating Habits and
Obesity among Lebanese University Students.
3) Emad Al-Dujaili,
Jon-Paul Bradley, Suzana Almoosawi & Lorna Fyfe (2009). "Effects of green tea consumption on blood
pressure, total cholesterol, body weight and fat in healthy volunteers". Endocrine Abstracts
20: P470.
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