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The word obesity is thrown around a lot today, especially in relation to the affluent lifestyles that are typical in the Western world. More money means more food, and it has now gotten to the point where more money means too much food; according a recent data collected by the BBC, between 30-40% of adults in England and America are considered obese, but it is a problem that is everywhere. Obesity is especially alarming because it now affects children-the Australian government claims that about 25% of children in Australia are obese.
Obesity is a major public health threat and it is important to understand both how it affects people and how it can be avoided in order to get people back on track and living healthier lifestyles. Let’s take a closer look at obesity and its causes in order to better understand why it is so dangerous.
What is obesity?
Obesity is the abnormal accumulation of excessive body fat that leads to health problems. Obesity can be measured by a person’s body mass index (BMI). To determine this number, a person must divide their weight in kilograms by the square of his or her height in metres. A BMI of 30 or higher indicates that a person is obese.
Obesity is caused conjointly by inactive lifestyles with poor diets. There are certain genetic conditions that can lead to obesity, but the majority of obese people in the modern world carry excessive weight due to lifestyle choices. Fast food, sugar, trans fat, and starches have become dietary staples across the West, and these are the primary foods that lead to excessive weight gain. Coupled with the fact that many people drive cars and do not get regular exercise, obesity rates are rising at an alarming rate. It is particularly disturbing that the obesity trend is increasing among children, because obesity is a dangerous condition that comes with many serious health threats.
Why is obesity dangerous?
Obesity is dangerous because it is a gateway health problem: it leads to many more serious physical ailments. Some of the health problems associated with obesity includes diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and even cancer. Obesity is dangerous because it leads directly to life-threatening illnesses.
Obesity puts strain on the body’s circulatory system, muscles, and bones. It makes people lethargic, and this inactivity can also lead to depression-physical activity is a major booster of serotonin and a natural anti-depressant. So obesity can lead to mental health problems as well as physical problems.
Obesity is a real and dangerous health problem that is confronting the modern world. Development has made life easier for humans, and it has made it easier for us to indulge our appetites-physically as well as materially-to excess. The good news is that avoiding obesity is pretty simple: eat healthy and exercise. You don’t have to deny yourself the treats of life, but you don’t have to go overboard either.
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