Don’t keep fretting about the increasing weight, get up and do something about it. Cute, funny, healthy. It’s no longer right to think of being fat in those terms.
The World Health Organisation says obesity has reached epidemic proportions globally, with at least 2.8 million people dying each year as a result of being overweight or obese. Once associated with high-income countries, obesity is now also prevalent in low- and middle-income countries as well.
The next generation torch bearers are also apparently highly prone to obesity with WHO labeling childhood obesity as the most serious public health problem of the twenty-first century.
Government, international partners, civil society, non-governmental organizations and the private sector all have vital roles to play in contributing to obesity prevention that could be the need of the hour. But meanwhile the problem can also be controlled at an individual level with understanding the nuances of the disease and taking proactive measures for you and your family.
Let’s look at some of the reasons and solutions to this growing lifestyle disease .
Speaking to City Express Dr Ramesh M, laparoscopic and bariatric surgeon, said, “Prevention of obesity is much easier than trying to lose weight after gain. The key reasons for obesity are: Lack of physical activity- sedentary lifestyle is a big cause of gaining weight and obesity. Lack of control on one’s diet - most of us like to eat fast food and encourage unbalanced diets.”
Overeating may be one of the causes. Obesity can be an adverse effect of medication or due to poor metabolism as some people do not eat much, yet gain weight. Hormonal imbalance may also cause obesity, for instance, hypothyroidism, in which there is underproduction of thyroid hormone.