Introduction
Obesity is an ailment that is characterized by disproportionate body fat accumulation. People diagnosed as medically obese generally are affected by genetic, behaviour as well as environmental factors that are not easy to have power over with dieting. Obesity usually occurs due to the consumption of too many calories and not involving in enough physical activity, though there are other causes also that may be involved.
Obesity increases the chances of becoming a victim to certain diseases and health problems like high cholesterol levels, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, certain types of cancer, gout to name a few. You also suffer from sleep apnea and osteoarthritis in some cases due to overweight.
What the Stats have to Say
If we believe the reports of National Family Health Survey (NFHS) of 2016, it was revealed that 20.7% of women and 18.6% of men in India falling in the age group of 15 to 49 are overweight. The review also foretells that obesity will be one of the major health challenges for Indians in the time to come. The reason behind the alarming rate of overweight people in India as per the survey is largely due to certain socio-cultural factors.
What Accounts Obesity?
It is the urbanization, automation and material comfort that have collectively contributed to the consumption of unhealthy fast food. Having short of time to prepare healthy and homemade meals, processed and ready-to-eat foods have diminished our traditional eating habits. Physical activity is no longer a preferred thing and has been overweighed by every comfort that has been made available. Since adults are leading unhealthy and inactive lives, the children are also not taught about healthy eating and they also prefer to eat junk foods these days.
Effect of Obesity on your Health
Being obese can make you uneasy and invite numerous day-to-day problems. You might become breathless at times and find it hard to walk, thereby making you feel inactive. Finding comfortable clothing becomes difficult and you sweat a lot as well. Obesity can also affect the way you feel. You become low at self-esteem and confidence. And since obesity is viewed negatively by many people, you tend to feel rejected, embarrassed and this makes you feel depressed.
Preventable Measures
Things you can do to lose weight or stay away from becoming overweight or obese:
✓ Include fruit, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains to your daily diet.
✓ Engage yourself in physical work out, at least 30 minutes a day.
✓ Eliminate processed, junk, fatty and sugary foods from your eating list.
✓ Use vegetable-based oils as a substitute for animal-based fats.
✓ Take adequate sleep.
✓ Drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated
So, there are numerous good reasons to maintain an effective body weight and the good thing is that shedding even a little weight can improve your health.