Obesity - A Rampant Health Problem of Today
25+ BMIs a major risk factor for non-communicable diseases such as:
- Cardiovascular diseases (mainly heart disease and stroke)
- Diabetes
- Musculoskeletal disorders (especially osteoarthritis)
- Some cancers (including endometrial, breast, ovarian, prostate, liver, gallbladder, kidney, and colon)
Despite being seen majorly in high-income countries, obesity is becoming a rising problem in low and middle-income countries, specifically among urban areas.
According to the WHO, on a global basis, obesity has almost tripled since 1975. Over the same period in the 5–19 age bracket, obesity has risen from less than 1% to around 7%.
Obesity Risk factors
â—Ź Family inheritance and influences -. Genetics is a major determinant of one's metabolism and appetite regulation
â—Ź Lifestyle choices - unhealthy diet, piling on calories through liquids (alcohol, soft drinks etc), sedentary lifestyle
â—Ź Diagnosed medical problems like arthritis, Prader-Willi syndrome etc. result in escalating weight gain
â—Ź Social and economic issues like restricted movement, negative company etc. can influence you to overeat without burning the calories
â—Ź Age - Our metabolic rate slows down with age, thereby causing extra calorie intake and making it difficult to lose weight
â—Ź Misc factors - Pregnancy, smoking, stress, insomnia, microbiome
Ways obesity can be managed
1. Right company, right food choices
- Supportive environments and communities are fundamental in shaping people's choices, by making the choice of healthier foods and regular physical activity
2. Healthy diet + exercise is key for individuals
At the individual level, people can:
- Limit energy intake from total fats and sugars
- Increase consumption of fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains and nuts
- Engage in regular physical activity (min. 3-5 days in a week)
3. Reimagining healthy food production by the food industry
The food industry can play a significant role in promoting healthy diets by:
- Reducing the fat, sugar and salt content of processed foods
- Ensuring that healthy and nutritious choices are available and affordable to all consumers
Sources:
- https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight
-https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/obesity/symptoms-causes/syc-20375742
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319902#summary​
