Obesity is a medical condition characterized by an excessive accumulation of body fat that poses a risk to a person’s health. It is typically assessed using a measurement called body mass index (BMI)
BMI = Person’s weight in kg / (Person’s height in m)2
An adult with a BMI of 30 or higher is generally considered obese.
Obesity is a global nutrition problem of epidemic proportions. According to census data and research studies, obesity rates have been steadily rising worldwide over the past few decades. This alarming trend is driven by a complex interplay of factors, including changes in dietary habits, sedentary lifestyles, and economic development. Census data reveals that a significant percentage of the world’s population is now overweight or obese. In many developed and developing countries, including the Middle east, USA, Turkey, Egypt, Iraq, Canada, New zealand and Australia obesity rates have reached staggering levels. This has far-reaching implications for public health, as obesity is strongly linked to a multitude of chronic diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers.
The obesity epidemic is often associated with the globalization of unhealthy diets rich in processed foods, high in sugars and unhealthy fats, and poor in essential nutrients. Additionally, urbanization has led to decreased physical activity levels, as more people lead sedentary lifestyles and rely on motorized transportation. Obesity is caused by consuming too much foods with no or less exercises. If a person consumes high amounts of energy, particularly fat and sugars without burn off the energy through exercise and physical activity much of the surplus energy will be stored by the body as fat.
According to some studies high protein low carbohydrates diets can be beneficial in preventing obesity. When consuming carbohydrates, whole grains which aids in feeling fuller and slowing blood glucose rise is a good source. As well as vegetables and fruits are also good carbohydrate sources. According to research low fat diets do not specifically contribute to lose weight. Therefore incorporating fat in diet does not cause obesity but when selecting fat type should be considerable. Trans fat and saturated fats are proved to cause obesity while healthy fats like monounsaturated fat do not. Fast foods, processed foods, deep fried foods and sweets are high in trans and saturated fats. Consuming those foods should be prevented as those can cause fat deposition and lead to obesity. Higher protein diets have shown some advantages in preventing obesity. Nuts and seeds are also good food sources and can control appetite as those provide healthy fat and protein. However these are high in calorie therefore portion should be controlled. Portion control should not only for nuts and seeds other food portions also should be controlled if person is overweight. Adding spices like cinnamon, ginger, pepper to foods is better for those who suffer from obesity because spices have metabolism-boosting properties. Fruits and vegetables, whole wheat, brown rice, quinoa, and oats, nuts and seeds, Greek yogurt, skim milk, and low-fat cheese, avocados, olive oil, and fatty fish, poultry, lean cuts of meat, tofu, and legumes are good food sources to control obesity.
Addressing this global nutrition crisis requires a multi-faceted approach, including improved access to nutritious foods, public education on healthy eating habits, promotion of physical activity, and policy interventions to regulate the food industry. It is imperative that governments, healthcare systems, and communities collaborate to combat obesity and its associated health risks on a global scale.
