As we continue to modernize our lifestyles — riding instead of walking, working in a cubicle instead of a field, playing iPods instead of sports — more people are becoming overweight and, worse, obese. In fact, there are so many overweight and obese people that some public health officials now call it an epidemic, particularly because of the many resulting health problems.
Massive global research project reveals 30 percent of the world's population affected by weight problems.
According to a new study, globally, more than 2 billion children and adults suffer from health problems related to being overweight or obese, and an increasing percentage of people die from these health conditions.
The findings represent "a growing and disturbing global public health crisis," according to the authors of the paper published in The New England Journal of Medicine.
The study, which spans 195 countries and territories from 1980 through 2015, was released at the annual EAT Stockholm Food Forum, which aims to create a healthier, more sustainable food system. It is based on data from the most recent Global Burden of Disease study (GBD), a systematic, scientific effort to quantify the magnitude of health loss from all major diseases, injuries, and risk factors by age, sex, and population. With more than 2,300 collaborators in 133 countries, the GBD study examines 300-plus diseases and injuries.
Among the 20 most populous countries, the highest level of obesity among children and young adults was in the United States at nearly 13%; Egypt topped the list for adult obesity at about 35%. Lowest rates were in Bangladesh and Vietnam, respectively, at 1%. China with 15.3 million and India with 14.4 million had the highest numbers of obese children; the United States with 79.4 million and China with 57.3 million had the highest numbers of obese adults in 2015.
"Excess body weight is one of the most challenging public health problems of our time, affecting nearly one in every three people," said Dr. Ashkan Afshin, the paper's lead author and an Assistant Professor of Global Health at IHME.
Obesity: Why it’s happening?
Although ones genes play a role in your body weight, there are other factors involved. In many places around the world, we have plenty of nutrient-rich food to eat and easy access to fattening fast foods and sweets. Also, because of our modern lifestyles, we are not as active as we once were. The end result: We're eating more calories than we can burn.
Being overweight or obese can cause a whole cascade of health problems, from heart disease and diabetes to stroke and even some types of cancer. These diseases can seriously impact a person's quality of life and lead to premature death.
When we talk about obesity, we naturally assume it occurs due to overeating and lack of physical activity. However, obesity also occurs due to various other aspects too. For example, a person who has Cushing’s syndrome may be obese because this disorder causes the over-production of steroid hormones in the body. In addition, hypothyroidism – an underactive thyroid – can also cause obesity. However, the primary cause of obesity is the intake of food and lack of exercise. Very few individuals make the effort to be physically active.
How to Prevent Obesity?
Obesity can be prevented. This begins with making different lifestyle choices. Parents are often advised to begin healthy lifestyle choices for their children from an early age. Eating healthy foods and exercising on regularly are two of the most important factors that prevent obesity. Here are some ways you can help prevent obesity:
1) Eat breakfast
Many people begin a weight loss program thinking that they need to cut out meals to lose weight. The opposite is actually the case. By cutting meals, you make your body not know when it will get sustenance again and cause it to begin storing fat. Also, many people are not hungry in the morning because they are eating too many calories after dinner. To start the day off right, you need to eat a healthy breakfast to get your metabolism working.
2) Choose Low Calorie Beverages
Many intakes an excessive amount of empty calories from soda and other beverages loaded with sugar. Reach for low calorie beverages instead, substituting diet drinks, water and other low calorie beverages when possible. By cutting out soda, most people can cut hundreds of calories daily.
3) Take the Stairs
This simple change can help you burn hundreds of extra calories a day. Whenever you are tempted to take the elevator, be it at work or the library, hit the staircase and climb up. Stairs are a great way to burn some extra calories and can help energize you after working long hours at a desk or another sedentary job.
4) Cut Down on Processed and Fatty Foods
Processed foods are loaded with saturated and trans fats, two fats that should be avoided, with trans fats being the worst. By cutting down on your intake of processed and fast foods and just preparing your own meals, you can improve your health and cut out a lot of fat that you would otherwise eat unknowingly. Try to eat more whole grains, fruits and vegetables in your diet to really have an impact. Cutting back on meats and including at least two servings of fish weekly in your diet is also a great step to take to lower your calorie intake and improve your overall health.
5) Walk an Extra 2,000 Steps Daily
Just a simple walk around a few blocks can help you stay fit and prevent obesity. Over the past few decades, Americans have moved away from physical labor and being active. It doesn't take much to help burn calories and improve your cardiovascular health. Try to do something every day that gets you walking around, even if it is just a 15 minute walk around your neighbourhood or workplace on your lunch break.
By making these small changes in your life every day, you can help to prevent obesity. To really have an impact, lifestyle changes are necessary, but things as simple as these small changes can help you keep the weight off and encourage good health over the long term.
