Obesity - Causes, Dangers and Prevention

Posted by James on Saturday October 4, 2014 at 10:55:12:

Over the years, obesity has become a major epidemic in the western world and the rate at which it is rising has become a cause for concern as it affects people in all facets of life. This is a condition where a person excessively gains weight as compared to normal. As a result, your body is made to work harder for it to perform certain functions making you get easily tired and ill. According to recent reports, the world is yet still unable to successful curb this situation.

A major factor responsible for childhood obesity is the genetic components of any individual. Some people are just naturally predisposed to this condition while there are those that are less likely to be obese. The contents of your DNA determines whether or not you will put on weight easily. This is why children of obese parents are more like to become obese themselves. While there is little or nothing you can do to your genes, there are other factors and causes that you can avoid.

Causes of Obesity

Lack of Exercise or Physical Inactivity
A life of little or no activity is a major contributing factor of obesity. With the introduction of technology, people became lazier and more stationary. People no longer walk instead they prefer to use their cars. They spend a lot of their time in front of the TV watching programs allowing and keeping their bodies stationary for too long instead engaging in a physical activity. As a result of these, their bodies store up fats that would have been burnt. With a lack of exercise, there is every tendency that you will become obese.

Unhealthy Eating
The reason people get obese is that the amount of calories they take in is more than the amount that they spend. If the leftovers are not expended, they are converted to fat and stored in their body. Also as a result of modernization, processed foods have now become the order of the day. Attentions are not paid to the calorie contents of foods taken. With a lot of sweetened drinks and fast foods, it is so easy for people to eat too much and as a result gain weight. Attention should be given more to whole-grain foods.

Dangers Posed by Obesity
Being overweight predisposes you to a lot of health problems like joint and bone problems, sleep apnea and heart disease, osteoarthritis and stroke. This condition also leads to psychological and social problems like stigmatization and lack of self esteem. With the numerous health threats associated with this obesity, it has been considered a disease. Medical attention has been called upon in order for it not to spread everywhere.

In order to curb this condition, healthcare professionals, parents, teachers, companies and industries all have a part to play. Attention should be paid to the processes involved in our food production. Parents should take note of the foods their children eat and also make sure to get them at least occasionally engaged in in some form of physical activity. Food items should be in balanced proportion ans should be chosen based on your bodies calorie needs. They public should also be sensitized on the effects of certain foods and eating lifestyle.