Columbia ranked 8th for weight problems on a new study and experts say a main cause is lack of portion control






Columbia, SC (WLTX) – South Carolina has not one but three cities in the top ten for weight problems according to a new study.


The WalletHub study lists Columbia 92 out of 100, meaning it’s eighth in the nation for problems associated with carrying excess weight around.


Surgeon Dalton Prickett works for Palmetto Health, and says our “eat quickly and go back for more” mentality is one of the causes for weight gain.


“That’s a big problem. If you wait five minutes after finishing your meal before you go back for seconds, most people will not be hungry again,” said Dr. Prickett. “If they go right back, they can eat just as much as they did the first time.”


With lots of South Carolina buffets and big southern portions, Prickett says this can prevent packing on the pounds.


Drinking water with meals and chewing more can also reduce food intake. However, Prickett says our region’s true issue is making smarter choices a lifestyle.


“Our problem isn’t losing the weight, our problem is maintaining the weight loss,” said Dr. Prickett. “Only 5% of people at two years maintain the weight loss.”


Registered Dietitian Kimberly Ellison says one way to make this a permanent way of living is to take it slow. Suddenly depriving yourself of what you’re used to can increase the cause for relapse.


“Taking it one step at a time, not trying to overhaul your diet all at once,” said Ellison. “Identify one or two things you can work on. Once you get comfortable with that, then you can move onto something else and make it a life habit.”


Ellison says looking at food groups and trying to keep a balance can not only help with weight, but with ensuring your body isn’t deficient in certain nutrients.


Prickett says pairing good eating habits with an exercise outlet that overweight people feel comfortable with can set someone up for success.


“If we can give them something else to help them maintain the weight loss, that’s what we want to do,” said Dr. Prickett. “That ought to impact the issues that we’re seeing, cardiac disease being the biggest one.”


Ellison says a good way to find out if and how much you’re overeating, start a food journal. She says you may be surprised at what you log.


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