Everything You Need to Know About Diabetes
July 26, 2022Everything You Need to Know About Diabetes
July 26, 2022Published by Sindlab on June 28, 2022
Pakistan is the world's ninth most obese country, and is presently suffering from an obesity pandemic, affecting people of all ages, especially children
A dramatic increase in obesity has been seen in Pakistan in recent years. According to the latest figures by WHO (World Health Organization), 58.1% people of Pakistan are overweight and 43.9% of the population is suffering from obesity
Another study finds that if obesity keeps growing at its current rate, it will significantly shorten the life expectancy of Pakistanis as it puts individuals at risk of various medical complications
In this post you will get to know about obesity, its causes, prevention, and more. So keep reading!
What is Obesity?
Obesity is a medical disease in which one carries an excess amount of body fat. The condition usually results from a combination of physiological, genetic, environmental and cultural factors
Having extra weight can have numerous adverse health repercussions, including an increased risk of diabetes, heart problems and osteoarthritis. Obesity is one of the most prevalent health disorders today, and almost 30% of people worldwide are overweight or obese
In 2013 the American Medical Association classified obesity as a disease, which was an important step in recognizing that obesity is not just a cosmetic concern
Pakistan is the world's ninth most obese country, and is presently suffering from an obesity pandemic, affecting people of all ages, especially children.
Obesity Effects on Health
Obesity has been linked to almost every chronic disease in some way or another including:
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- High blood pressure
- Stroke and heart disease
- Type 2 diabetes
- High cholesterol levels
- Arthritis and joint difficulties
- Renal problems
- Liver disease
- Breathing problems, including sleep apnea (in which you temporarily stop breathing while sleeping)
Factors That Contribute to Obesity and Being Overweight
Several factors contribute to gaining and maintaining excess weight. Diet, low physical activity, environmental variables, and genetics are examples
Diet and Exercise
People acquire weight when they eat more calories than they use up via activity. This inequality is the most significant factor in weight gain
Stress and Environmental Factors
When people are bored, irritated, disturbed, or stressed, they tend to eat more than usual. According to studies, the less individuals sleep, the more prone they are to being overweight or obese. This is partly because hormones released during sleep assist in managing hunger and the body's energy usage
Genetics
The genes you inherit from your parents may affect the amount of body fat you store. It may also play a role in how efficiently your body converts food into energy and how your body regulates your appetite
How to Avoid Obesity
Obesity may be avoided by adhering to fundamental principles of healthy eating. Some easy modifications to your eating patterns can help keep excess weight off
Attempt to consume at least five or six servings of whole fruits and veggies daily. Highly processed meals such as white bread and packaged snack items are frequent sources of simple carbs which may rapidly mount up. It is critical to limit your consumption of processed sugars
Active Lifestyle
Researchers discovered that those who walk at a brisk or fast speed are more likely to have a lower weight and a lower body mass index (BMI) than those who do not
Stress Management
Chronic stress causes weight gain by increasing levels of the stress hormone cortisol. It can also lead to bad food choices since testosterone and other stress chemicals boost "carb cravings" and make sound judgment more difficult
Adequate Sleep
Sleep's importance to general well-being cannot be emphasized enough. This also applies to the objective of preventing obesity. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention advises at least 8-10 hours of sleep per night for adults and even more for children
Obesity in Pakistan
In Pakistan, recent studies have indicated that an alarming 40-50% of children in the country are either overweight or suffering from obesity
Pakistan already has the world's third-highest prevalence of diabetes, with one of every four adults living with the condition
Rising obesity in children is causing a slew of health complications in young Pakistanis including early age diabetes, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, and other ailments which are more likely to develop into chronic conditions later
In fact, all children alive today globally might be the first generation in many decades to live less healthy, and possibly shorter lives than their parents
An additional difficulty faced in Pakistan is ignorance of the issue and the condition. Most overweight and obese people are not diagnosed of the illness and consider their weight to be normal, and thus fail to take any action to remedy it
Conclusion
Pakistan is now dealing with a rising obesity pandemic. Obesity burdens among children and adults have been growing, with the main factors being sedentary lifestyles, unhealthy diet and lack of awareness.
Studies have found that parent involvement intervention in childhood obesity is effective in decreasing their dietary intake and has a positive effect on both parents and children.
For Pakistan to prosper, it is critical to educate the public about the negative impacts of obesity, not just for individuals but also for the entire economy.
One should start with gradual changes and adopt lifestyle modifications that will benefit in the long run. That way, one can start reducing weight and feeling better right away.
Published by Sindlab on June 28, 2022