Obesity is when a person consumes more calories than they can burn off, typically from fatty and sugary foods. The body stores these extra calories as fat. People are starting to understand the need of eating healthfully and having a balanced diet to combat obesity as the world fights the AIDS pandemic. Have you ever wondered what exactly obesity is?
Obesity can start with a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or above. With changing lifestyles, such as spending time sitting in offices and lounging on couches, obesity can be the root cause of diseases, increasing the risk of health complications, as discussed in the following section.
Obesity and the Probability of Diseases
Significant health risks are increased by excess body fat, which includes:
- Gallstones Asthma
- Diabetes
- Hypertension
- Obesity
- High cholesterol
- Atherosclerosis (when your arteries are constricted by fatty deposits)
- Coronary heart disease
- Stroke
- Cancers- among them include womb, breast, and bowel cancer
- GERD
- Impaired fertility
- Osteoarthritis- severe joint pain and stiffness
- Sleep apnea (interrupted breathing during sleep)
- Higher risk of diabetes
- Renal disease
- Renal disease
- Pregnancy problems, such as gestational diabetes or pre-eclampsia
In addition to these issues, being overweight and subsequently obese can shorten your lifespan, impair your natural cognitive abilities, and cause depression and low self-esteem.
Did you know?
Aside from these issues, being overweight and subsequently obese can shorten your life expectancy, impair your natural cognitive abilities, cause depression, and undermine your self-confidence.
How is Obesity Measured?
If a person’s body fat increases their chance of contracting diseases linked to obesity, three elements are considered:
- BMI (Body Mass Index)
- Waist circumference
- Other risk factors
Word of caution
BMI is not always accurate in identifying obesity because people with a lot of muscle can have a high BMI without being obese.
Obesity Myths Debunked
- Obesity is caused by poor lifestyle choices.
Fact: The majority of programmes aimed at reducing obesity blame poor eating patterns and insufficient exercise. Obese people are frequently accused of being unmotivated or “lazy.” Numerous other variables contribute to the rise in obesity, in addition to diet and inactivity.
- People that are obese have slower metabolisms.
Fact: Your metabolism is determined by your body composition, not your weight. Larger bodies have higher resting metabolic rates, requiring more energy to perform fundamental tasks.
- Obesity is only a problem for adults.
Fact: Many people think that overweight kids will lose weight because early infancy is a time of rapid growth. When kids get older, obesity or being overweight might not always go away.
Prevention of obesity
Obesity does not have an easy way to lose the flab.
Frequent weight monitoring, realistic goal-setting, a calorie-controlled diet, and regular exercise are all effective ways to combat obesity. To accomplish this, take the following actions:
- Follow a calorie-controlled, well-balanced diet as advised by a nutritionist.
- Exercise for 150 to 300 minutes (2.5 to 5 hours) a week, such as walking, running, swimming, or tennis. Eat sensibly and steer clear of situations where you could overeat.
Anti-Obesity Day
Anti-Obesity Day, which is commemorated annually on November 26th, aims to increase public awareness of the most severe diseases associated with obesity that affect people all over the world. A medical condition known as obesity occurs when people put on a lot of weight quickly. Additionally, it can result in a number of serious health issues, such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and some types of cancer.
The first step in overcoming obesity is to adjust your eating behaviours. Here are some recommendations for healthy eating on November 26, which is designated as Anti-Obesity Day.
- Honey and lemon
Warm water with honey and lemon juice is a good way to start the day. Your body will detox as a result, making you feel good.
- Never miss your breakfast
Breakfast provides the body with the necessary calories at the start of the day, hence decreasing the intake of extra calories.
- Include more portions of fruits and vegetables
You can avoid consuming empty calories and stay energised by replacing junk food with healthful fruits and veggies as a snack.
- Eat a handful of nuts every day
In addition to being rich in nutrients, nuts are a fantastic source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are crucial for preserving cardiovascular health.
- Say no to sugar
Whenever you feel the urge, swap sugar for natural sweeteners like honey or jaggery.
- Measure your food
This will assist in reducing unwanted temptations. Keep a food journal to record everything you eat so you can be in control of it.
- Be active
Whatever works best for your body—yoga, walking, swimming, cycling, or a cardio workout—keep moving.
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