India Lifestyle

World Obesity day 2017: Know about causes, Health risk and Preventions.

World Obesity day 2017: Know about causes, Health risk and Preventions.

Today, 11 October is obserevd as a World Obesity Day with the promoting practical solutions to end the obesity from all around the world. Obesity is defined as a health condition which accumulates excess fat in the body to the extent that which has a negative effect on health. Obesity increases health problems or reduces life expectancy. Obesity increases the likelihood of various diseases, particularly heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, certain types of cancer, and osteoarthritis. Obesity is commonly caused by the excessive food intake, lack of physical activity, also in some cases, obesity is caused by genes, endocrine disorders, medications, or psychiatric illness.obesity becomes a major problem in India due to the diversion of people food choices to the packaged and fast food items. Most restaurants use hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils for frying the food products. These oils are high in trans fat and unhealthy saturated fat which can increase your risk for heart disease and stroke. Trans fat is often used to preserve the shelf life of certain foodstuffs. Though fried and fast food often tastes delicious, it has more than likely be prepared with these types of oils. Caloric value has become double or triple automatically when any kind of food submerges or coat in oil. Food which is high in unhealthy saturated fat:

  • Full fat milk and other dairy products including butter
  • Hard and full-fat soft cheese
  • Cream
  • Meat or chicken with the fat and/or skin on it
  • Processed meats such as sausages and burgers
  • Pastry
  • Coconut oil and coconut milk
  • Palm oil
  • Fatty or fried takeaway foods
  • Packaged cakes and biscuits

Health Risks of Overweight and Obesity

Being overweight or obese isn’t a cosmetic problem. These conditions greatly raise risk for other health problems.

Coronary Heart Disease

If body mass index rises, it has a risk for coronary heart disease (CHD). CHD is a condition in which a waxy substance called plaque builds up inside the coronary arteries. Plaque can narrow or block the coronary arteries and reduce blood flow to the heart muscle and can cause a heart attack. Obesity is a serious condition in which your heart can’t pump enough blood.

High Blood Pressure

Chances of having high blood pressure are greater if the person has overweight or obese. Due to obesity blood pressure rises and stays high for over time, it can damage the body in many ways.

Type 2 Diabetes

Diabetes is a disease in which the blood sugar level of the body is too high. Diabetes is a leading cause of early death, CHD, stroke, kidney disease, and blindness. Most people who have type 2 diabetes are due to overweight.

Abnormal Blood Fats

If the person is overweight or obese, the risk of having abnormal levels of blood fats increased. These include high levels of triglycerides and LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and low levels of HDL (“good”) cholesterol. Abnormal levels of these blood fats are a risk factor for CHD.

Cancer                                                                 

Obesity or overweight raises the risk of cancer like colon cancer, breast cancer, endometrial cancer, and gallbladder cancer.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a common joint problem of the knees, hips, and lowers back and occurs if the tissue which protects the joints wears away. Extra weight can put more pressure and wear on joints, causing pain and causes osteoarthritis.

How Can Overweight and Obesity Be Prevented

  • Avoid fatty foods.
  • Follow a healthy eating plan. Make healthy food choices, keep your calorie needs and your family’s calorie needs in mind, and focus on the balance of energy IN and energy OUT.
  • Be active. Make personal and family time active. Find activities that everyone will enjoy. For example, go together for a walk or run do much of the physical activity or exercise in daily routine.
  • Reduce screen time. Limit the use of TVs, computers, DVDs, and video games because they limit the time for physical activity.
  • Keep track of your weight, body mass index, and waist circumference. Also, keep track of your children’s growth.

About the author

Shilpi Gupta

Food Technologist by Profession and Blogger by Destiny. love to write articles on food technology, spirituality and social issues.