In the fat tank

Trust Grahamstown's weather to cause a power cut the night before our session in the hydrostatic weighing tank, and to present freezing wet weather on the day.  Nonetheless this did not deter three brave health journ students from discovering their weight under water.  Thankfully, the HKE department in attempts to keep the water at least 21 degrees had kettles boiling all morning.  Hydrostatic weighing is perhaps the most accurate 'weigh' to measure your body fat composition.  The principle of hydrostatic weighing is that certain body tissues such as muscles and bones are dense and sink, whereas body fat is less dense and tends to 'float'.  Your weight is measured underwater and then using a prediction equation, they determine the amount of muscle and adipose tissue.  I weighed 1.5kg underwater.  Much to my dismay, the lower your weight, the fatter you are.  A pity it doesn't work like this on land.  Miriam will still put our weights into the prediction equation and then let us know individually how 'fat' we are.

We also had our skinfold measurements taken: this method assesses the amount of subcutaneous adipose tissue.  Using calipers the HKE students grabbed at our fat.  They measure the number of skinfolds, with the underlying fat on the body.  Using a prediction equation they can then determine the percent of body fat.  This method is quite invasive but the HKE students were most sensitive and polite, thereby making the whole experience rather enjoyable as us girls in one corner were able to discuss those niggly bits that love to move but are impossible to move.

And incase the above methods do not work, we also did a Biolectrical Impedance (BI) test.  This was the most relaxing method as you simply lie on a mat, on your back.  Two electrodes are attached to your foot and two to your hand.  A slight current is sent through your body, although you feel nothing, and you are able to gain your BI.

And now we 'weight' for the results.

A lack of culture leads to obesity

Today was International day, or at least at Rhodes it was.  It started with a parade of school groups, church groups, student groups and all-sorts of other kinds of groups dressed up in a colourful array of cultural dress.  People represented their own country, others represented their father's country and some just represented an 'exotic' country.  It was an afternoon of absolute organised chaos.  There were balloons everywhere, people wearing boards representing countries or phrases in foreign languages.  Two friendly labradors also took part in their doggy dress.  There were small children running around everywhere, weaving between the crowds and yet we were all one big family, taking care of eachother's children.  It was truly magical.  And what does this have to do with obesity, apart from the fact that we walked from under the arch and back, down Somerset, into African and then paraded once around the field.  We then ended off with marimba bands, gumboot dancing, asian dancing, african dancing and finally a soccer match between a South African team and a Zimbabwean team.

The point I am trying to make is, if we were all deeply entrenched in a culture, any culture, pick a culture and embrace it- then we would be involved in some form of movement or cultural activity on a regular basis.  For instance, I have some Irish blood in me, not a lot, but it's there.  If I was to embrace this culture I would do Irish dacning and I would attend Irish dances.....AND I would be active and therefore reduce my chances of being obese.  Hence, a lack of culture leads to obesity. So if you want to lose weight, lose yourself in a culture.

Sitting is killing you....check this out.

http://mashable.com/2011/05/09/sitting-down-infographic/