“The rise of childhood obesity has placed the health of an entire generation at risk”
Talking about the increasing weight of people now-a-days has become a very crucial point, due to the sedentary life led by people and add ons like phones, binge watching movies/getting almost everything on their fingertips. All of this is making people more lazy day by day and making them add a few kilograms to their weight.
Obesity is the most common nutritional disorder of the affluent countries as well as high socio-economic groups of our country. It is a state of excess accumulation of fat in the body. It is an excessive and abnormal increase in body fat which can lead to various other related health issues like heart problems, blood pressure, hypertension, cholesterol, and many more. The term overweight refers to the person with body weight 10-20% in excess of their Ideal Body Weight, whereas obesity refers to 20% or more above the IBW.
It is important to assess the body fatness or adiposity to determine the health risk to various chronic diseases. Overweight occurs as a result of an imbalance between the food consumed and the physical activity. Obesity is a complex issue related to lifestyle, environment and genes. Environment and genetic factors have a complex interaction with psychological, cultural and physiological influences. Obesity incidence is observed throughout the world and an international trend is often called “GLOBESITY”. The estimates of overweight and obesity amongst the adults as well as children are increasing and this estimate is based on the measurement of height, hip circumference, weight and waist circumference, subcutaneous fat, BMI and mid upper arm circumference.
Calorie restriction to increase lifespan is very helpful. Balancing energy intake and expenditure is the basis of weight management throughout life. The important consideration is to control the sudden weight loss which may lead to various health complications. To maintain energy balance, calorie restriction has to be properly controlled. A calorie deficit of 500-1000 Kcal daily usually meets this goal. The energy level varies with individual size and activity ranging from 1200-1800kcal daily. Regardless of the level of calorie restriction, healthy eating should be emphasized with increased physical activity.
Only 2%of children in the U.S eat a healthy diet. Childhood obesity can decrease life expectancy by five or more years. The more time kids spend watching T.V. the more likely they are to gain weight. Exercise plays a very important role in reducing weight by burning calories, maintaining muscle mass, increasing metabolic rate, improves blood circulation, reduces level of stress, prevents diseases like diabetes, blood pressure, cardiovascular disease etc. By doing some physical activities like walking, jogging, running , or exercising one can also burn unwanted fat and calories, thereby reducing obesity. There are various drug therapies as well as surgeries like bariatric surgery that can help reduce the weight. The drug therapies as well as surgeries like bariatric surgery that can help reduce weight. The drug therapies can be long term as well as short term depending on the weight to be reduced. But usually, these are clubbed with natural therapies like exercising and yoga. Foods like complex carbohydrates, brown rice, pulses, sprouts and foods rich in dietary fiber should be inculcated in the diet.
Obesity is now concerning more and more people. It is thus necessary to make people aware of the symptoms, causes, and cures of the disease as well. This will help to take the necessary steps and combat obesity. Everybody should adapt to a health- enhancing lifestyle and should try to reduce unhealthy habits as much as possible. It is quite true that junk food is attractive and a healthy plate looks dull but to stay healthy and fit, one needs to choose the healthy plate over junk. This is the best way to keep the self and family away from obesity.
In conclusion, obesity disease should be more concerned and rewarded by everyone in society as this disease is increasingly on the rise nowadays. So, everyone must have a well - planned for a health enhancing lifestyle. Bad habits must be quoted as fast as possible to save one's own life for good health. There is a saying that healthy food is not tasty but however this is the golden phrase which leads everyone to a long- life span.
Thanks Giving
This article is written and submitted to The E Today by Shrushti Mehta.
We thank her for her research and analysis and hope to see the awareness about health and nutrition being spread ahead to larger mass of our citizens.