Growing waistlines is one of the major causes of number of serious health problems such as hypertension, Type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea. A report by the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4) concluded that the number of obese people in India have doubled in the last decade. Considering the alarming increase in obesity, it is necessary to change your lifestyle and take steps to fight obesity. Taking into consideration the increasing health risks associated with obesity, October 11 has been declared as World Obesity Day by World Obesity Federation. In an effort help deal with obesity, on this World Obesity Day, we discuss obesity in detail and how to prevent obesity by following some healthy habits. Read on.
Table of Contents
Main Reasons for Obesity
Though many studies suggest that your genes play a major role in your body weight, there are other factors too that can lead to obesity. Easily available fast foods, regular consumption of nutrient rich foods, sweets are the main cause of obesity. In addition, we make little or no efforts to burn the excess calories that we eat. Being obese can seriously increase your health problems and have an impact on your quality of life. Major cases of obesity can at times lead to premature death.
Obese v/s Overweight- What’s the Difference?
Though the terms obesity and being overweight are used interchangeably, there is a lot of difference between the two conditions. Being overweight simply means your weight 10-20% more than your normal weight as mentioned in the standard height or weight chart. If your BMI is between 25 and 30, you are simply overweight. Obesity is a condition when a person’s BMI is more than 20% above the normal level. A BMI of more than 30 indicates the person is obese.
Healthy Habits to Prevent Obesity
Following a few simple steps can go a long way in preventing obesity. Here are some small steps that will help you prevent obesity.
Staying Active is the Key
Sitting for a long time in office is one of the major causes of obesity. An effective way to prevent obesity is to stay active. Taking the stairs at your office instead of the elevator, walking to the nearby store instead of taking a vehicle, going for a short walk after lunch, are some simple and easy ways to remain active throughout the day.
Drink Plenty of Water
Water is a miracle drink that can prevent obesity. Many people confuse hunger and dehydration and end up overeating. Drinking sufficient water cleanses and detoxifies the toxins from your body. However, ensure that you drink safe and clean water to prevent contacting waterborne diseases. In addition, avoid drinking sweetened or carbonated drinks which do more harm than good. Being dehydrated can affect your mental, physical and emotional health as well which further leads to binge eating and obesity.
You Can Also Read: Weight Loss Just With Drinking Pure Water
Avoid Overeating
Another major reason of obesity is overeating. As a result, it is advisable to eat only when you are hungry. In addition, avoid emotional eating as you may end up gaining a lot of weight. When you are hungry, it indicates that your body needs nourishment and is an effective way to avoid obesity.
Go for Regular Medical Check-up
Many doctors recommend that it is necessary to go for a general medical examination at least once in a year. Many people ignore going for regular health check ups Regular medical check-up helps once a year helps in early detection of any health issues and also prevent it before you face any serious problem.
Also Read: Drinking Water For Foreign Tourists In India
Last Few Words
Prevention is the key when it comes to obesity. Recognizing the symptoms in advance and taking the right steps can help you prevent obesity and a lot of health issues associated with the problem. The easiest way to fight obesity is drinking enough water. However, if you find water too boring and tasteless to drink, you can always eat your water by consuming water packed fruits. Include a lot of cucumber, water melon, grapefruit, tomato, apple, pineapple and celery to stay hydrated throughout the day. On this World Obesity Day, let’s pledge to switch to a healthy lifestyle and prevent obesity.