World Obesity Day is dedicated to increasing public awareness of the health dangers linked to obesity and advancing workable prevention and treatment strategies. It highlights the urgent need to combat the worldwide obesity pandemic and motivates people and organizations to take significant steps toward its prevention and management.
The World Obesity Federation established World Obesity Day (WOD) in 2015 as an effort to promote and support global efforts to help people achieve and keep a healthy weight and tackle the problem of obesity. The celebration offers a chance to promote efficient strategies to raise awareness of its origins and effects.
In general, obesity is associated with a number of health issues, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, some forms of cancer, and musculoskeletal diseases. These are just a few of the conditions that obesity is linked to. Anxiety and despair can result from obesity's effects on mental health as well.
How to Observe World Obesity Day Healthily
In order to promote healthy lifestyle choices and increase awareness of the problems connected with obesity, this day should be observed in a healthy manner. Here are some tips for having a healthy World Obesity Day:
Educate
You can educate yourself and your loved ones about preventing and treating obesity by understanding its potential causes, effects, and treatment options. Knowing its many contributing elements in advance will help you treat it at the earliest possible stage.
Sympathize
Be considerate of how you perceive other obese people. These people are often criticized and held accountable since so many people are unaware of the underlying causes of obesity. Be sympathetic and respect them without judgment.
Watch Your Health
You can ask your doctor if you can change your diet and lifestyle to avoid gaining weight in the future. As you get older, your body will reward you for leading a healthy lifestyle; after all, health is wealth, right?
Causes of Obesity
Unhealthy and excessive eating and a lack of exercise are the primary causes of obesity. Gaining and holding onto extra weight can be influenced by a variety of circumstances. It is caused by a combination of factors, including genetic makeup, overeating, an inactive lifestyle, and inadequate sleep.
Eating too much unhealthy food, such as processed and fast food, and drinking sugary beverages can also contribute to weight gain. The following are some typical causes of obesity:
Unhealthy Food and Diet
Eating disorders frequently run in families. When you're little, you could pick up unhealthy eating patterns from your family that you carry into adulthood. Such as:
- Excessive consumption of sugary beverages such as soda, energy drinks, milk tea, and boba tea.
- Drinking too much alcohol prevents our bodies from burning fat.
- Consuming a lot of fast food and processed meals, such as cheeseburgers, fries, bacon, and cakes.
Lack of Physical Activities
The additional energy you consume is stored by the body as fat if you are not active enough to use the energy provided by the food you eat.
- Individuals who work in offices are at a higher risk since they spend their whole workday seated in an office.
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People who play video games or watch television all day are likewise at a higher risk.
Genetics
Some people may be genetically predisposed to obesity, which means that hereditary traits make them more likely to develop this condition. However, the degree to which genetics contributes to the development of obesity varies from one individual to another.
- Obesity-related gene mutations that are largely found in the leptin-melanocortin pathway are known as "monogenic" types of obesity.
- Severe obesity accompanied by additional phenotypes, such as neurodevelopmental disorders and other organ or system anomalies, is referred to as syndromic obesity.
How to Fight Obesity for a Healthier You
Despite the complexity and multifaceted nature of the causes of obesity, prevention and therapy are essential for lowering the burden of this disorder. This calls for promoting healthy dietary habits, consistent exercise, and access to social support and healthcare facilities.
Although battling obesity can be challenging, there are things you can do to enhance your wellbeing and lower your risk of obesity-related health issues. These are some approaches for treating obesity:
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Healthier Choice
Consuming healthy foods can help regulate calorie intake, enhance nutrient intake, and lower the risk of chronic diseases linked to obesity, making it a powerful tool in the fight against obesity. Eat more organic foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, to improve the quality of your diet altogether.
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Less Feeling of Fullness
When you eat more foods with fewer calories, you have fewer hunger pains and feel better about your meal, all of which contribute to making you feel fuller after eating. Eating slowly and selecting smaller serving sizes at meals might help prevent overeating by giving the brain time to tell the stomach when it has received enough food.
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Get Moving
While regular aerobic exercise is the most effective way to burn calories and reduce weight, any additional movement helps. Regular exercise, along with eating a good diet, is the key to keeping a healthy weight and staying in fine shape.
The key to living a healthy life is physical activity. If you are too busy at work, having a few essential home-gym tools will go a long way.
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Join Support Groups
You can find camaraderie and understanding in support groups where people cope with obesity-related problems that are similar to yours. Weight loss programs take commitment and patience, and they work best when they are actually followed through with.
It might also be beneficial to regularly track your weight, set attainable objectives, and involve your friends and family in your weight loss efforts. For people trying to start a regular workout regimen or reach their fitness objectives, having a gym buddy can be beneficial in a variety of ways.
Know Your Body Mass Index
The body mass index is the most common scale used by medical professionals to identify obesity. Body mass index, or BMI, is an essential tool in the fight against obesity since it is an easy and affordable technique to gauge body fatness and determine the health hazards brought on by carrying too much weight.
The BMI is calculated by taking the square of a person's height in meters and dividing it by their weight in kilograms. A normal BMI falls between 18.5 and 24.9. (Kilograms of weight per square meter of height)
- If your BMI is less than 18.5, it falls within the underweight range.
- If your BMI is 18.5 to <25, it falls within the healthy weight range.
- If your BMI is 25.0 to <30, it falls within the overweight range.
- If your BMI is 30.0 or higher, it falls within the obesity range.
BMI is a tool for screening, not a way to assess health or body fatness. To assess a person's health status and concerns, a qualified healthcare professional should carry out the necessary assessments. Ask your healthcare professional if you have any questions about your BMI.
Key Takeaways
Obesity affects not only our physical health but also our mental and emotional well-being. As we celebrate World Obesity Day, let us take a moment to reflect on the importance of addressing this global epidemic. It is a complex issue with many contributing factors, but we can all play a role in promoting healthier lifestyles and creating environments that support healthy behaviors.
Let us celebrate the progress we have made in raising awareness and promoting action on obesity while also recognizing that there is still much work to be done. Together, we can work towards a healthier and more equitable world where everyone has the opportunity to live a full and active life.
In general, establishing a good eating pattern as part of a healthy lifestyle that also includes regular exercise and enough sleep can help to manage and avoid obesity. To understand and improve your food and exercise habits, you may need to engage with a team of health specialists, such as a nutritionist or obesity specialist.