Obesity has now become a major problem in the U.S. One third of the adult population is obese, and 17% of children suffer from obesity. Obesity is a problem because several health related ailments is associated with this disease. Some common causes of obesity are poor diet, lack of exercise, genetics, metabolism issues, medications and mental illnesses such as binge eating.
There is evidence that genetics play a role in obesity, but this does not necessarily mean that those who have relatives that are obese, are doomed to suffer the same fate. It is typically a combination of genetics, poor diet, and lack of exercise that contributes to the occurrence of excess pounds. Medical conditions like Cushing’s disease and Hypothyroidism are also contributors. Hypothyroidism occurs when the body does not make enough thyroid hormone. When this hormone is not present in sufficient amounts, it causes the metabolism to slow down, which leads to fatigue and weight gain. Often those who suffer this condition are not even aware of it until multiple symptoms appear and they receive a blood test from their physician.
More children are now being affected by obesity, and this is largely due to inactivity and poor diet. Children now spend more time indoors thanks to technology like television, the internet, and video games. This leads to a lot of time sitting instead of moving around and burning calories. Fast food is also a cause. Parents are busier than ever and fast food is often a convenient fast alternative to cooking a meal. Fast foods are often high in fat and calories.
Obesity causes health issues like heart disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, joint problems and stroke. The good news is that obesity is reversible. Eating a high fiber diet that has plenty of fruits and vegetables has many benefits. Fiber helps the body feel full and helps to curb cravings. Fruits and vegetables contain vitamins, minerals and healthy amino acids. It is important not to skip meals and eat small frequent meals during the day. Skipping meals slows down the metabolism. Exercise is crucial for weight loss, so it should be included in every healthy lifestyle. In extreme cases, surgery like gastric bypass can be done, and weight loss medication and supplements can be prescribed by a doctor.
Obesity has reached epidemic numbers, but awareness and education is the key to eliminating this condition.