Ask Dr. Bill

Biography

Dr. Bill Arban is a board-certified family physician, who holds a Certificate of Added Qualification in Sports Medicine, and is a Federal Aviation Medical Examiner. He is also an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Mercer University Department of Family Practice. He enjoys the diagnosis and treatment of medical problems for the entire family, as well as preventive, sports, and travel medicine. He has co-authored the weight-loss book, The Holiday Diet with his wife, Carey Lewis Arban.

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Our Physician Answers Your Questions

Q: What is the ideal model’s weight?

A: Weight is less important than natural build and body proportion. Female commercial models come in all shapes and sizes. Fashion models tend to be thinner than average people of the same height; their dress sizes may be 2 to 4. Plus models have sizes 10 to 16, and fuller figures. Men are generally athletic, with a well-defined, but not overpowering build, and have suit sizes from 40 to 42. There is no ideal weight for any model. Learn your natural body size, and be as healthy and fit as you can.

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Q: I sometimes have acne flare-ups. What can I do?

A: Start by gentle treatment of the skin. Never squeeze pimples or perform “acne surgery” on your face! Eat a well-balanced diet, drink lots of water, and get plenty of rest. Don’t smoke. For the right combination of medications and over-the-counter acne aids for your skin type and degree of acne, see your family doctor or dermatologist. Don’t let TV or magazine ads be your doctor.

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Q: What’s the best way to lose weight?

A: The first three letters in the word “diet” remind us that dieting is not a good thing. Food is such a complex issue in modern life, since we both depend on and indulge in it. Healthy and enjoyable eating can occur together, if you eat in a planned pattern. Weight is best lost gradually, not by restricting total calories, but by avoiding empty calories. Excessive fat, sugar and corn sweeteners, and chemicals are used to increase the effects food has on our brains. “Comfort foods” make you pay later. Instead, if we regularly select fresh, whole foods with the right amount of carbohydrate, protein, and vegetable, not animal fat, we will have menus which are pleasant and healthy for the long run. Regularly eating “right,” not skipping meals, and exercising will keep our bodies fit and trim. Of course, ask your doctor, nutritionist, and athletic trainer for guidance and a program, not for pills or short-term gimmicks!

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Q: I am worried that my daughter may have an eating disorder. What shall I look for?

A: One severe eating disorder is anorexia, whose symptoms include: deliberate self-starvation with weight loss; fear of gaining weight; refusal to eat; denial of hunger; constant exercising; greater amounts of hair on the body or the face; sensitivity to cold; absent or irregular periods; loss of scalp hair; and most typically, a self-perception of being fat when the person is really too thin.

A related disorder is bulimia, which is eating a lot of food at once (called binging), and then throwing up or using laxatives (called purging). After a binge, some bulimics fast (don’t eat) or overexercise to keep from gaining weight. People with bulimia may also use water pills, laxatives, or diet pills to “control” their weight. People with bulimia often try to hide their binging and purging.

Models should learn how to be the size they were born to be, and realize that most all of the different figure types succeed in different ways. If someone seems to show the warning signs of anorexia or bulimia, he or she must get to a physician right away. Anorexia and bulimia are conditions which are difficult to treat and can become life-threatening.

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Q: What kind of exercise does a model need to do?

A: Any kind of exercise is good for a model as long as it is done at least 4-5 days a week. The heart and lungs must be strengthened for aerobic fitness, and the muscles and joints must be kept toned and flexible. Men must strive for well-balanced physiques, “cut”, but not bulked-up. Women must be well toned, gracefully proportioned, and have erect carriage (posture). Weight training, martial arts, dancing, aerobics, swimming, yoga, to name a few disciplines, all can be used in combination. An athletic trainer can be very valuable, and should be consulted to plan an individualized fitness program.

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Q: I have arthritis in my left knee, could that harm my chances of trying to be a model?

A: Many models and actors have, and work in spite of, visible and invisible physical problems. One of our AMTC success stories, Laura Stepp, had visibly scarred knees from surgery for injuries which did not prevented her from working as a fashion and commercial model (even now) and as an actress in prime-time TV features, as well as commercials. One of our child model-actresses, Jessica Yates, walked with two canes due to her congenital palsy and does enjoy success. If you can work with your arthritic knee, even when it is painful (with your doctor’s permission, of course), then you can have the same chance as anyone else who models or acts when it is not comfortable to do so.

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Q: I’m a 20 year old female. I’m 5’3 and weigh about 150. I don’t look fat but I’d like to lost some weight. Recently I started taking a weight loss pill. I’ve started to lose some weight and I’m happy about that. I was just wondering if you thought weight loss pills were safe.

A: Most of us family physicians believe that rapid weight loss using appetite suppressant pills is unhealthy. Any prescription or over-the-counter weight-loss product is suspect. When the body is forced to lose weight rapidly by such means, it will sacrifice muscle before fat. Then, when the weight-loss product or plan is later discontinued, as it must be eventually, the body, faced again with a normal diet, tends to add fat back before muscle is rebuilt. Thus, people who use pills or hard diets to lose weight often regain all the weight they lost, and more, within a year.

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Q: I was selected to go to the Millie Lewis AMTC as a plus model. I wear size 16. However, I do want to lose a few pounds before hand. I am not good at following a diet and I hate weighing and counting calories in my food. Is there any quick and easy way to lose 10-15 pounds in the 18 weeks I have left?

A: I don’t advise any quick and easy way to lose weight and I don’t think you should EVER diet. We’re on the same page for that. I hate to sound boring, but cut out the junk food. Stay away from fast foods. Don’t eat out too often. Plan and pack your meals. Eat healthy, whole foods, like vegetables, whole grain (not white) bread, lean meat. Execise regularly, even just walking is great. 4-6 days a week.

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Q: I’m having serious problems with my weight. Everyone around me seems to think that I don’t have a problem, but there are times when I can’t stand staring at myself. Some people say that it’s because of my genes, or that I have a high metabolism or maybe even because I’m young. They seem to believe that it’s a good thing because then I’m able to model. I’m really tired of being the “small one” around everyone else. I think I’ve tried everything; from Creatine to GNC Weight Gainers 2000. I didn’t’ gain any weight either.

Presently, I’m 18 years old 5’8 and 116lbs, which is not a very good picture. I eat all the time. I even try to eat what others say make them gain weight or I try to eat late at night too. I heard that you put on a lot of weight when you eat late. I honestly don’t know what else to do. I’m at a point where I’m so disappointed with my body. A lot of people try to lose 30lbs but I wish I could gain it.

I’d really like to know what you think about my situation. I’d really appreciate any advice your willing to give. Maybe even a meal plan, (my sister got one to lose weight). Thank you for your time.

A: I haven’t seen you, but you need to share your concerns with your personal medical practitioner. He (or she) knows you better than I do, and can help you find out whether anything is wrong with your weight. it may well be that these “thin genes” are what you have to “wear.” You doctor can also follow your progress in a diet and exercise plan you both devise.

Please eat a balanced diet whatever you do, not just to put on pounds. Most adults gain weight as they age. If it is true that your body size is natural for you, you should exercise to build or tone muscle, which adds good weight. You may learn to be happily fit and thin, if you get some help understanding why this can be a good thing. Don’t just buy “snake oil” from stores, start with seeking good advice from a physician and nutritionist.

Finally, don’t let the uninformed talk of those around you negatively influence your self-image. You see in the bigger world of 5 billion usually lean people, 100 million obese Americans (at least 34% of our total population) are not close to the norm. Your body type is! Good luck!

Click here to e-mail a question to Dr. Bill Arban.