Obesity epidemic, a fatiguing society, Mc Donald’s children: these statements do not bother anyone anymore. We just got used to them. The World Health Organization is sounding the alarm, however. Overweight and obesity are a huge problem, we must do everything to put a stop to the tragic statistics.
Why is it worth using physical activity in weight loss
Nestle will ‘heal’ sweets? Less artificial additives
Increased consumption high-energy, processed foods, lack of exercise, stress – these are the main causes of the obesity epidemic. Although we all know this, we are still not doing enough. And the statistics are terrifying:
- Worldwide, the incidence of obesity in 2014 more than doubled compared to 1980.
- In 2014, over 1,9 billion people aged 18 and over were overweight and 600 million were obese.
- In 2013, 42 million children under the age of 5 were overweight or obese.
- In 2014, 13 percent. of the global adult population (11% of men and 15% of women) were obese.
- In 2014, 39 percent. adults (38% of men and 40% of women) were overweight.
- Overweight and obesity cause more deaths worldwide than underweight.
- At least 2,8 million people die each year from being overweight or obese.
- In 2025, 70 million young children are expected to be overweight or obese.
- As BMI increases, so does risk cardiovascular diseases, mainly heart disease and stroke (they were the leading cause of death in 2012), diabetes, disorders of the musculoskeletal system (especially osteoarthritis), certain cancers (endometrial, breast and colon cancer).
- Childhood obesity is associated with a higher risk of obesity in adulthood and premature death and disability in adulthood. Obese children also experience breathing difficulties, more frequent fractures, and earlier develop markers of cardiovascular diseases, symptoms of hypertension and insulin resistance.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that everyone should deal with the prevention of overweight and obesity primarily individually, by reducing trans fats and simple carbohydrates, increasing the consumption of unsaturated fatty acids, fruits, vegetables as well as legumes, whole grains and nuts. WHO also points out implementation of regular physical activity (60 minutes a day for children and 150 minutes a week for adults). At least 30 minutes of regular, moderate exercise most days of the week reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, colon cancer and breast cancer. It is especially important to encourage children and adolescents to be active. This will not only reduce the risk of obesity and overweight, but also improve muscle performance and strengthen the cardiovascular and skeletal systems. WHO recommends that children and adolescents aged 5-17 years old should be physically active (e.g. team games, running) for at least 60 minutes a day. Additional, moderate activity will only be a plus.
Social campaigns and influencing food producers are also important, especially in terms of reducing the content of fat, sugar and salt in products. However, the most important thing is our awareness of what example we will set our children and what nutritional behavior we instill. Only in this way are we able to stop this disturbing trend.
The photo is from: 1.
- Comments