Canadian Health Digest - General Health - Obesity
Do you know that about 30% of Americans are considered obese? In fact, some observers have called the alarming increase of obese people as an epidemic. Unfortunately, not only do obese people have to deal with social ridicule but with various complications as well. Obesity has been linked to serious maladies such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and cancer. And so, here are more important facts that you need to know about obesity:
Definition
An obese person has a high percentage of body fat. In more exact terms, people with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 and above are considered obese. In which case, BMI measures the amount of body fat. Fat is not necessarily harmful as the body’s source of reserve energy and heat. However, excess fat interferes with normal body functions such as blood flow, which contributes to diseases like diabetes and heart ailments.
Causes of Obesity
The root cause of obesity is excessive calorie intake compared to the amount of calories the body burns during a rigorous physical activity. The body stores these excess calories in the form of fat. Other factors that contribute to obesity include:
Lack of physical activity. People who do not exercise regularly and live an inactive lifestyle have greater chances of being obese.
Diseases. Obesity is sometimes linked to hormonal imbalance caused by diseases that affect the adrenal and thyroid glands. Physically debilitating conditions like arthritis can also lead to rapid weight gain because of the forced inactivity it entails.
Diet. This is a leading factor that leads to obesity. A high-calorie diet, which includes sweets, soft drinks, and fast foods, usually leads to weight gain. Fatty foods such as hamburgers are also the major culprits of obesity.
What to Do About Obesity
You are what you eat. Therefore, avoid foods that are high on saturated fat. Better have a low- calorie diet like fruits, grains, and vegetables. You should control your consumption of sweets and alcohol. Aside from these, regular exercise also helps in the struggle against obesity. Research has shown that you need at least 30 minutes of exercise to maintain your weight at a healthy level. Activities such as swimming, jogging, biking, and sports are excellent ways to control weight gain. Regularly watching your weight is another activity that helps prevent obesity. Measuring your weight at least once every seven days allows you to carefully monitor the progress of your fight against obesity. Discipline, commitment, and a positive outlook go a long way to a healthy life without obesity.
Definition
An obese person has a high percentage of body fat. In more exact terms, people with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 and above are considered obese. In which case, BMI measures the amount of body fat. Fat is not necessarily harmful as the body’s source of reserve energy and heat. However, excess fat interferes with normal body functions such as blood flow, which contributes to diseases like diabetes and heart ailments.
Causes of Obesity
The root cause of obesity is excessive calorie intake compared to the amount of calories the body burns during a rigorous physical activity. The body stores these excess calories in the form of fat. Other factors that contribute to obesity include:
Lack of physical activity. People who do not exercise regularly and live an inactive lifestyle have greater chances of being obese.
Diseases. Obesity is sometimes linked to hormonal imbalance caused by diseases that affect the adrenal and thyroid glands. Physically debilitating conditions like arthritis can also lead to rapid weight gain because of the forced inactivity it entails.
Diet. This is a leading factor that leads to obesity. A high-calorie diet, which includes sweets, soft drinks, and fast foods, usually leads to weight gain. Fatty foods such as hamburgers are also the major culprits of obesity.
What to Do About Obesity
You are what you eat. Therefore, avoid foods that are high on saturated fat. Better have a low- calorie diet like fruits, grains, and vegetables. You should control your consumption of sweets and alcohol. Aside from these, regular exercise also helps in the struggle against obesity. Research has shown that you need at least 30 minutes of exercise to maintain your weight at a healthy level. Activities such as swimming, jogging, biking, and sports are excellent ways to control weight gain. Regularly watching your weight is another activity that helps prevent obesity. Measuring your weight at least once every seven days allows you to carefully monitor the progress of your fight against obesity. Discipline, commitment, and a positive outlook go a long way to a healthy life without obesity.
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