Obesity Epidemics And How To Stop Them

What is obesity?

The term obese means to have excessive amounts of fat tissue on the body and for a person to be clinically obese they must have 30% body fat or more, 40% plus presents morbid obesity and is life threatening. In the USA has the highest prevalence of obesity at 30.6% of the population being obese (15 years plus). The UK is not far behind with 23%  and Australia and New Zealand at 20%. Surprisingly enough Japan has the lowest rate at just 3.2%. Many of the links to obesity come from a change in technology but Japan is one of the worlds leading countries for technology so how is it possible to make that link? The governments across the world are trying to find ways to prevent the population waist size from increasing further but with many changes in the way we live it is a constant battle.

Most commonly, obese people are at a higher risk of:

• coronary heart disease (angina, heart attack or stroke)
• diabetes
• cancer
• osteoporosis and joint problems

What can cause obesity?

There is a very simple cause of obesity which is an imbalance in the amount of calories taken in compared to the ones that are burned. if you eat more than you exercise then you will gain weight. If only it was that simple, although on the physiological side of things it is that simple but that isn't the reason people become obese alone. Depression and stress are often linked to obesity because they lower their confidence and motivation of people and in turn means they are less likely to exercise and more likely to eat for comfort. This then puts them in a worse situation and becomes a vicious circle.

Another major cause of obesity is the current lifestyle that people are living. There is much more reliance on technology that make our lives easier and quicker so we don't have to manually do things. Simple things such as dishwashers because its a 5 minute job to fill it and walk away whereas washing and drying the dishes burns calories for 15-20 minutes. Count this up over a week and its quite a bit of time you could be active. Also, many people, especially children are staying in watching TV or playing computer games instead of getting outside and doing some physical activity. This leads to the biggest cause of obesity being inactivity.

See Also: Obesity: The disease of modern age

There is a lot less people living healthy and active lifestyles in the current climate. With many more sedentary jobs involving sitting at a desk all day rapidly decreases the amount of energy that is burnt on a day to day basis so it becomes an added effort to be active in the evenings. Many years ago there were hardly any sedentary jobs so people were burning calories all day and had the evenings to rest. When exercise becomes a chore people avoid it just like doing the washing up or cleaning and slowly but surely you gain weight just like the dishes rack up.

What Can We Do To Stop Obesity?

There are a few simple things that everyone can do to help decrease their own individual risk of developing obesity.

Be more active

Sounds like a simple tip and it is. Try and exercise everyday for about 20-30 minutes. This doesn't have to be high intensity or even a scheduled activity.

A good idea is to start off slow, most people make the mistake of joining the gym and going 3-4 times in their first week and then suffering for 2 weeks after and then giving up. Start gentle walking or go to a scheduled exercise class once a week to get into a routine and build from there.

Adapt your lifestyle

I'm not saying you have to change everything as there will be parts of your life that simply cant change. For example if you work in an office people say I cant walk round all day with a laptop, but there are simple things that can boost your calorie burn. If you work in an office building try walking the stairs instead of the lift at least once in the day. If you work on a high floor try getting out a floor early and just doing the last floor by stairs. If you get public transport can you get off a stop early and walk the rest of the way? Lastly, if you eat lunch at your desk or in the canteen, if you can walk to a local park and eat outdoors (weather permitting) as this will make you feel more Vitalised for the afternoon ahead.

Change your eating habits

Probably the hardest thing to change is diet. I hate the word diet as it sounds like you have to cut something out but that is the quickest way to fail. As soon as you cut something cold turkey you want it more, slowly cut down on sugary foods to wean yourself off of the cravings. Try to eat 5-6 portions of fruit or veg a day and maybe switch to 5-6 small meals rather than the traditional 3 large ones to keep your metabolism raised. 

See Also: The Deadly "Trio Combo" Of Obesity: Fast Foods, Inactivity, And TV Watching

What else can be done?

I strongly believe that the government plays a role in letting the obesity epidemic continue to rise. Since 1980, according to the Trust for Americas Health, the obesity rate has doubled, while child obesity has tripled. Why is this? Many people I work with say that eating healthy is too expensive as fresh fruit and veg is expensive but you can get a family frozen box of chicken nuggets for less than the price of a single lettuce. How is the government letting this happen?

There are taxes on other products to sway us from using them such as alcohol and cigarettes so why cant they control what we are eating. With the cost of living increasing but salaries maintaining the same many are turning to the cheaper food options. There needs to be better education for parents and children which is starting, but it needs to have started before we got to this point. More physical activity time in schools is essential so that children grow up liking exercise instead of seeing it as a chore.

We need to focus on education and awareness. People should be informed about the causes and consequences of obesity so they can make informed choices about their lifestyle.

Policy changes are another crucial aspect. Advocating for policies that support healthy behaviors can make a significant difference. This can include regulations on food marketing to children, implementing sugar taxes, or creating safe and accessible recreational spaces.

I also believe in the importance of community programs. These programs can promote physical activity and provide access to healthy foods. Initiatives like community gardens, fitness classes, and cooking workshops can have a positive impact.

Creating supportive environments is essential. We should design cities and neighborhoods with sidewalks, bike lanes, and parks, as well as ensure access to affordable, nutritious foods. Workplace wellness is another area to focus on. Employers can play a role by offering wellness programs, promoting physical activity at work, and providing healthy food options in company cafeterias.

Reducing screen time is important, especially among children. Encouraging families to limit the time spent on electronic devices and promoting outdoor activities can make a difference.

Investing in research to better understand the causes and effective treatments for obesity is crucial. This can lead to the development of new therapies and interventions. Encouraging families and social networks to support healthy behaviors together is another effective approach. It's often easier to make positive changes when surrounded by a supportive community.

Public figures, influencers, and celebrities can also play a role in promoting healthy lifestyles and setting a positive example.

Finally, advocating for government-funded obesity prevention and treatment programs is essential. These programs can provide resources and support for individuals at risk of or living with obesity.

Obesity is a complex issue with multiple contributing factors, and addressing it requires a comprehensive effort from individuals, communities, healthcare providers, policymakers, and society as a whole.