Obesity has become a global problem and it is affecting everybody’s state of health and wellbeing. Somehow we have to do something about it.
We have to stop this disease and take back what we need to have quality of life: health and a normal, optimal functioning body.
Because of modernization, economic growth, urbanization and globalization the American culture of fast food consummation has spread to all 4
corners of the globe.
More and more people are choosing foods high in fat, sugar and refined starches as a way of life. By doing this they are sacrificing valuable
nutrients found in whole foods such as fresh fruit and vegetables, lean proteins and whole grain cereals. The high fat convenience foods are not
only poor in nutrients, but they contribute to excess weight gain, as the calories cannot be used by the body, and has to be stored as fat.
In earlier times people used to work hard physically in the execution of their daily tasks, but that has been replaced by sedentary office
jobs. Most people also drive to work, and therefore get no exercise at all, unless they go out of their way to organize it for themselves.
Developing countries strive to imitate the modern American culture, and also acquire these bad habits. Among cultures where obesity has never
been a problem, it is starting to become one, especially amongst the children, as they do not adhere to the traditional, healthy lifestyles, but
rather prefer the modern fast food lifestyle.
The problem is also linked to affluence, as obesity is a disease of affluence. As the income rises, so does the obesity percentage.
Over 1 billion adults in the world are overweight, of which 300 million are obese. Childhood obesity is growing fast, as well, and will soon
be an epidemic, as well.
We have to educate our children and prevent them from becoming obese adults, as they are our future leaders. Their lifestyles and habits will
have an effect on our future generations.
We have to alleviate the causes of obesity on a global level to address it and eventually eradicate it, as it is sapping our energy, and
causing a lot of unasked for diseases and mental conditions, and taking away our quality of life.
Addressing obesity starts with information. We have to educate ourselves and our children about good nutrition, healthy lifestyles and
exercise as a way of life. Our bodies have been designed to operate in a certain way to function optimally, and we have to follow the
instructions to be able to have healthy bodies of normal weight.