Overweight and Obesity

05 Aug Overweight and Obesity

Knowing your weight is Key.

Do you know overweight, obesity and their related conditions account for about 2.8million deaths annually and accounts for much more death worldwide than underweight. Overweight and obesity are defined as “abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health” but clinically defined as a Body mass index (BMI) equal to or more than 25, and obesity as a BMI equal to or more than 30. BMI – The weight in kilograms divided by the square of the height in meters (kg/m2) – is a commonly used index to classify overweight and obesity in adults.

  The common error in body weight assessment is using the weight without relating it to the height. One could weigh 70kg and be normal weight as against the other who is 60kg and obese, so drum it into the brain, overweight and obesity is determined in relation to the height.
  Being overweight or obese can have a serious impact on health. Carrying extra fat leads to serious health consequences such as cardiovascular disease (mainly heart disease and stroke), type 2 diabetes, musculoskeletal disorders like osteoarthritis, and some cancers (endometrial, breast and colon). These conditions cause premature death and substantial disability. It is also worthy of note that globally, 44% of diabetes, 23% of ischemic heart disease and 7–41% of certain cancers are attributable to overweight and obesity.
 Once believed to be associated with the high income social class but now known to be common amongst the low income class. The trend today is towards a less physically active population; due to the ever advancing technology and premise of working smart, with the sedentary life style an envy and target for a greater populace. However the decrease in physical activities and consumption of more nutritionally fortified meals has lead the today man towards his own demise by accumulation of much more calories than he can actually use up and the subsequent storing up of this excess energy in form of fats.
For an individual, obesity is usually the result of an imbalance between calories consumed and calories expended. An increased consumption of highly calorific foods, without an equal increase in physical activity, leads to an unhealthy increase in weight. Decreased levels of physical activity will also result in an energy imbalance and lead to weight gain.
Childhood obesity is becoming a common trend and exposing these children to high risk of early onset diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

 How can overweight and obesity be reduced? 

“Supportive environments and communities are fundamental in shaping people’s choices and preventing obesity”
Overweight and obesity, as well as their related non-communicable diseases, are largely preventable. Supportive environments and communities are fundamental in shaping people’s choices, making the healthier choice of foods and regular physical activity the easiest choice (accessible, available and affordable), and therefore preventing obesity.
At the individual level, people can: Say no to sedentary lifestyle (Bigmanism Syndrome} limit energy intake from total fats and sugars; Increase consumption of fruit and vegetables, as well as legumes, whole grains and nuts limit total fat intake and shift fat consumption away from saturated fats to unsaturated fats.
 Engage in regular physical activity (60 minutes a day for children and 150 minutes per week for adults). “EXERCISE”
 Individual responsibility can only have its full effect where people have access to a healthy lifestyle. Therefore, at the societal level it is important to: support individuals in following the recommendations above, through sustained political commitment and the collaboration of many public and private stakeholders; make regular physical activity and healthier dietary choices available, affordable and easily accessible to all – especially the poorest individuals.
 The food industry can play a significant role in promoting healthy diets by: reducing the fat, sugar and salt content of processed foods; ensuring that healthy and nutritious choices are available and affordable to all consumers; practicing responsible marketing especially those aimed at children and teenagers; ensuring the availability of healthy food choices and supporting regular physical activity practice in the workplace.
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 See you soon!!!
Obrigado!!!