Experts Available to Discuss Most Obese People Do Not Consider Themselves Obese.

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TOPIC: A study from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found the majority of obese people do not view themselves as obese, according to an article by The Associated Press. The study, which consisted of 104 obese adults between the ages of 45 and 64, found that only 15 percent identified themselves as obese. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a 5-foot-10-inch male or female adult who weighs 174 pounds is considered overweight, while an adult who weighs 209 pounds is considered obese. Experts say people who have blinders on regarding their own obesity are more susceptible to diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure because they aren't paying attention to information that may help them.

EXPERTS: ExpertSource can offer several highly qualified experts to comment on this story:

Susie Jastrow leads the Diabetes Nutrition and Consulting Program at People's Community Clinic. Jastrow works with low-income adults and children to promote better dietary habits and behavior modification to manage and eliminate disease such as diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol, and other obesity related conditions. Susie is a member of the Texas Dietetic Association and received her B.S. in Nutrition from the University of Texas at Austin.

Dr. John C. Peters is Head of the Nutrition Science Institute within the Food and Beverage Technology Division at the Procter & Gamble Company. He received his B.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Biochemistry from the University of California at Davis and the University of Wisconsin at Madison, respectively. Following his graduate work, Dr. Peters joined the faculty at the University of Cincinnati School of Medicine where he taught biochemistry and nutrition and conducted research on nutritional support for catabolic illness. In 1985, he joined the research and development organization at Procter & Gamble. Since then, Dr. Peters has conducted and managed research in a variety of areas including obesity, diabetes, lipid absorption and metabolism, and vitamin and mineral bioavailability. Outside of Procter & Gamble, Dr. Peters is involved in a number of public health initiatives aimed at promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors for the prevention/management of obesity and diabetes. Dr. Peters is President of the Friends of the Center for Human Nutrition at the University of Colorado, past President of the International Life Sciences Institute Center for Health Promotion and is CEO of the America on the Move Foundation. He sits on the scientific advisory boards of several other organizations, including the University of Colorado Center for Human Nutrition, and the Healthy Weight, Healthy Living Task Force of the Cincinnati Health Collaborative. He recently served on the National Academies of Science, Institute of Medicine committee on prevention of childhood obesity, which released its report "Preventing Childhood Obesity: Health in the Balance", in September of 2004. Dr. Peters has published over 100 research papers, reviews, chapters and books.

Darrin Wilson is Director of Fitness Programs at N-Shape Personal Fitness, a personal training studio located in Raleigh, North Carolina that is privately owned by himself and his wife Judy Gonzalez. Started in October of 2000, N-Shape Personal Fitness offers both adults and adolescents one-on-one or small-group training by utilizing strength, conditioning, and cardiovascular principles. The N-Shape fitness, health, and wellness team includes certified personal trainers, weight management consultants, registered dieticians, and doctors who work together to set the highest standard for the fitness and personal training industry. A native of Bronx, New York, Darrin first became interested in fitness when he began playing football at age 13. Throughout high school and college, he played football and ran track, as well as participated in summer league baseball. He began working in the fitness industry in the summer of 1984 when he became a summer camp counselor working in the weight room of the New York City Police Athletic League. Since then he has worked in every capacity of the profession, from gym attendant to general manager, and understands the operations of a fitness facility from every aspect. His responsibilities have ranged from member orientation and equipment maintenance to marketing and budgeting. Darrin obtained his Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science from the DeVry Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia. Upon graduating in 1988, Darrin followed his true passion and became a personal trainer. Darrin is certified by Interactive Fitness Trainers of America (IFTA), American Fitness Professionals & Associates (AFPA), Nautilus, and is a National Strength and Conditioning Association Certified Personal Trainer (NSCA-CPT). Darrin is a proud member of several professional organizations, including the Reebok Alliance, American Council on Exercise, National Strength and Conditioning Association, American College of Sports and Medicine, Physical Mind Institute, IDEA Health & Fitness Association, The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), and The Health Affairs Roundtable. Darrin continues to challenge himself by studying martial arts and participating in the U.S. Professional Flag Football League and Raleigh City Parks Softball League. He has coached youth football and basketball and participated in summer and after-school youth programs for both the Atlanta YMCA and Raleigh YWCA. Darrin gives back to the community by speaking at health fairs and collecting donations for the Women's Shelter of Wake County and the Ronald McDonald House of Durham.

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