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What is Obesity?

A person is considered obese when they weigh more than 20% of the maximum ideal weight according height. Anyone with a BMI (body mass index) of 30 or greater is considered obese. The BMI is a formula that uses height and weight to estimate body fat and calculate health risks associated with being overweight. The BMI is calculated as follows: BMI = Weight (in kg.) / Height (in meters) squared (height x height).

Obesity is a major problem in America and most of the Western world today. In a report from ABC News, almost two thirds of Americans are overweight and approximately one out of every three Americans is considered obese, according to statistics from the US government. (1)

The National Institute of Health released a report stating that the percentage of obese adults in the US has doubled from 1960 to 2000. And the largest growth percentage occurred in the last decade.

Obesity is caused when food (calories) consumption is greater than calorie expenditure over a long period of time. While increased food intake is a contributor to obesity, lack of physical activity is probably a bigger one. With the emergence of the cyber age, a large number of people including children have been spending hours in front of their computers. With the amount of time spent between the TV and the computer, people today, have less and less available time to be active or to participate in regular physical activity.

According to reports from UK obesity studies, average food consumption has decreased by 29% since 1970, (2) and yet people today weigh more. This has to mean that the major problem in obesity today is the level of inactivity. Obesity has become a serious health risk. Moreover, people who are obese are at greater risk in developing health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.

What, then, can we do about this obesity epidemic? Well, that’s simple. Simple, however, does not always equate to easy. All you have to do is follow a well balanced diet and increase exercise participation. This will help to increase your metabolism and the rare at which your body burns fat. Let’s look at diet first. Instead of eating a few large meals have smaller more frequent meals. Make sure your diet consists of a good balance of fat, protein and carbohydrates.

Reduce foods containing saturated fat and trans fats (animal fat, butter, margarine, products that use hydrogenated fat). Reduce Refined and starchy carbohydrates (products made with sugar and white flour). Choose products that are high in non hydrogenated fat and vegetable and seed oils (but use sparingly). Consume carbohydrates that speed up the metabolism like: fresh fruits and vegetables, high fiber and low starch carbs such as whole grains, almonds walnuts, figs.

Your diet should have a proper balance of fat, protein, and carbohydrate. In order to stay healthy the body needs food sources from all macronutrients.

References:
1 www.abcnews.com, “Who’s to blame – Obesity in America”, retrieved 23 Aug. 2004 from <http://abcnews.go.com/sections/WNT/Living/obesity_031208-1.html>
2 www.vegetarian-diet.info, “Health risks of Obesity”, retrieved 24 Aug 2004 from <http://www.vegetarian-diet.info/obesity-health-risks.htm>