The Obesity Epidemic

Obesity has reached epidemic proportions globally, with more than 1 billion adults overweight - at least 300 million of them clinically obese - and is a major contributor to the global burden of chronic disease and disability. It affects virtually all ages and socioeconomic groups.

Increased consumption of more junk food with high levels of sugar and saturated fats, combined with reduced or no physical activity, have led to obesity rates that have risen three times or more since 1980 in some areas of North America, the United Kingdom, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, the Pacific Islands, Australasia and China.The obesity epidemic is not restricted to industrialized societies; this increase is often faster in developing countries than in the developed world.

Obesity and overweight pose a major risk for serious diet-related chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension and stroke, and certain forms of cancer. The health consequences range from increased risk of premature death, to serious chronic conditions that reduce the overall quality of life. Of especial concern is the increasing incidence of child obesity.

Childhood obesity is already epidemic in some areas and on the rise in others. An estimated 22 million children under five are estimated to be overweight worldwide. According to the US Surgeon General, in the USA the number of overweight children has doubled and the number of overweight adolescents has trebled since 1980.

The problem is global and increasingly extends into the developing world; for example, in Thailand the prevalence of obesity in 5-to-12 year olds children rose from12.2% to 15-6% in just two years.

Please take a look at the following report that will show you graphically what we are talking about and how obesity is exploding in the USA:


http://health.msn.com/reports/obesity/default.aspx

What can you do about it?

First excercise! Even walking if done constantly ( 30 minutes or more daily ) is good for you. This epidemic has also been helped by the large degree of physical inactivity. If you can get a pedometer ( step counter ) from a store and start counting steps ( over 10,000 a day is recommended ) because it is very easy to kid yourself that you have "walked" for that day. FOr short trips, do not take your car out, try to walk. For long distances, try parking your car not that close to where you need to go ( provided weather is good ).

Then start to eat healthy. The best food is cooked from scratch. It needs to include some source of protein ( eggs, milk, soy, meats, legumes), salads ( with very little or healthy dressings such as vinegar and olive oil ) and fruits.

Carbohydrates ( pasta, rice, potatoes, bread, pastries, cookies, crackers and also cereal such as the so infamous cheerios ) are linked with insulin resistance ( which is linked with diabetes ), so try to use them very sparingly. Certainly if you have to eat them, try whole grains first ( whole grain food will not taste good at first. It will require you to chew better, it will be raspy to your throat, but in the long run good for you ).

Certainly try not to eat the unnecesary junk foods and junk drinks such as fried foods, sodas, juices, excessive alcohol, etc.

Please take a look at this video from Canada. Here in the USA things are even worse.



Until next time!