Obesity is a sign of the times and it has become one of the major health concerns for both children and adults. Exercising daily and eating healthy can help you avoid getting obese and other health complications that come with it.
What is obesity?
Obesity happens when you have an excessive amount of fat in your body. This poses a health concern for most patients since obesity increases your risk of developing serious chronic illnesses like diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure. According to Mayo Clinic, being obese doesn’t mean that it’s the end of the world since simple dietary changes and lifestyle improvements can prevent any health problems caused by obesity.
Symptoms
Obesity can be diagnosed by measuring your body mass index (BMI). If your BMI is 30 or higher then you may be diagnosed as obese, depending on what your height and weight is. However, your BMI alone should not serve as your only basis for diagnosing obesity since there are exemptions to this rule. Athletes, specifically muscular athletes who may be classified as obese based on their BMI. Always consult a doctor to get the right diagnosis.
Who are at risk
You may suffer from obesity when you consume more calories than what you burn whenever you exercise or participate in any form of physical activity. In turn, your body stores those extra calories as fat. Another leading cause of obesity is having poor lifestyle choices such as staying seated for long periods of time, eating processed foods, and unhealthy eating habits like having midnight snacks.
Other major factors include exposure to excessive stress and having limited access to fresh and healthy ingredients.
In some cases, obesity can also be traced from some rare diseases but an unhealthy lifestyle remains to be the primary cause.
Obesity in children
Childhood obesity is increasingly becoming a problem for the modern world. The rise of fast food chains and other technology that seems to be keeping more children inside their homes instead of playing outside. If one or both parents are obese then there is a high risk that their child may grow up to be obese as well. Obese children are in danger of suffering from other health complications which are commonly experienced during adulthood such as type 2 diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure, and a fatty liver. Obesity in children may also cause psychological disorders like anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem.
Preventive measures
The most practical solution to obesity is daily exercise. Encourage group exercise activities with your child so you can provide the support that he/she needs while getting healthy yourself. The best way to teach your child is to be a role model to them in every possible aspect. Prepare healthy meals using ingredients that are rich in vitamins and minerals and prohibit your children from eating in front of the television. Parents with kids who like to play video games for long periods of time should find other ways to engage their children to promote physical activity on a daily basis.
Consult your family doctor on the approved caloric intake for each member of the family to aid you on your road to wellness. Do not ignore your child’s nutrition as a healthy mind and body can pave the way to a brighter future.
