What is obesity?
Obesity is a psychosomatic illness with food addictive behavior, characterized by greed, lack of control and in some cases, a persecutory guilt.
This condition sets a degree of conflict and dependence on certain foods, especially the hydrocarbon.
This is a "compulsive overeating, which in a first stage appears as an irresistible impulse, without internal strife or guilt, at least during the intake. Therefore at this stage no insight.
In a second stage, uncontrollable impulses combined with the feeling of guilt before, during and after the intake, producing an experience of emptiness and psychic pain. Here begin the familiar excuses obese. There is but little situational awareness of disease.
If there is an appropriate treatment the patient enters the third stage (abstinent behavior) that involve learning, and help control search. Strives to achieve a different relationship with food, obtaining partial success in this process.
At first, the relationship with food can make you fear and control is exercised from outside. Only in the fourth stage we can speak of "recovery" as it is internalized control and avoid food by choice, not by imposition, which accounts for the creation of new habits.
Proper treatment should aim to replace the dependency object (food), other more rewarding objects, analyzing the root causes of this disease in the context of a therapeutic situation permitting while learning techniques to develop healthy behaviors, as we are in the field of addictions.
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Facts Of Obesity and overweight
* Since 1980, obesity has more than doubled worldwide.
* In 2008, 1500 million adults (20 and over) were overweight. Within this group, more than 200 million men and nearly 300 million women were obese.
* 65% of the population lives in countries where overweight and obesity kill more people than underweight.
* In 2010, about 43 million children under five years were overweight.
* Obesity can be prevented.
What are overweight and obesity?
Overweight and obesity are defined as abnormal or excessive accumulation of fat that can be harmful to health.
The body mass index (BMI) is a simple indicator of the relationship between weight and height that is commonly used to identify overweight and obesity in adults. Is calculated by dividing a person's weight in kilos by the square of height in meters (kg/m2).
The WHO definition is:
* A BMI less than 25 determines overweight.
* A BMI less than 30 determines obesity.
The BMI provides the most useful measure of overweight and obesity in the population, since it is the same for both sexes and for adults of all ages. However, it should be considered as an indication because they may not correspond to the same level of thickness in different individuals.Data on overweight and obesity
Overweight and obesity are the fifth leading risk factor for death in the world. Die each year at least 2.8 million adults as a result of overweight or obese. Furthermore, 44% of the burden of diabetes, 23% of the burden of ischemic heart disease and between 7% and 41% of the burden of some cancers are attributable to overweight and obesity.
Here are some of the WHO global estimates for 2008:
* 1500 million adults 20 and over were overweight.
* Of this amount, more than 200 million men and nearly 300 million women were obese.
* In general, more than one of every 10 people in the world's adult population were obese.
In 2010, about 43 million children under five years of age were overweight. While overweight and obesity were once considered a problem of high-income countries, currently both disorders are increasing in countries of low and middle income, particularly in urban environments. In the developing countries are living about 35 million children are overweight, while in developed countries that figure is 8 million.
At the global level, overweight and obesity are associated with an increased number of deaths than underweight. For example, 65% of the population lives in countries where overweight and obesity claim more lives than underweight (this includes all high-income and most middle-income).What causes overweight and obesity?
The fundamental cause of overweight and obesity is an energy imbalance between calories consumed and expended. In the world, has produced:
* An increase in the intake of energy-dense foods that are high in fat, salt and sugars but low in vitamins, minerals and other micronutrients, and
* A decline in physical activity as a result of increasingly sedentary nature of many forms of work, new modes of travel and increasing urbanization.
Often changes in eating habits and physical activity are the result of environmental and social changes associated with the development and lack of supportive policies in areas such as health, agriculture, transportation, urban planning, environment, processing, distribution and food marketing, and education.What are the common consequences of overweight and obesity to health?
A high BMI is an important risk factor for noncommunicable diseases, such as:
* Cardiovascular disease (mainly heart disease and stroke), which in 2008 were the leading cause of death;
* Diabetes;
* Musculoskeletal disorders (especially osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease very disabling), and
* Cardiovascular disease (mainly heart disease and stroke), which in 2008 were the leading cause of death, diabetes, musculoskeletal disorders (especially osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease very disabling), and some cancers ( endometrial, breast and colon).
The risk of noncommunicable diseases increases with increasing BMI.
Childhood obesity is associated with an increased likelihood of obesity, premature death and disability in adulthood. Besides these major future risks, obese children suffer from respiratory distress, increased risk of fractures and hypertension, and have early markers of cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance and psychological effects.Face a double burden
Many countries in middle-income countries are now facing a "double burden" of disease.
* While still dealing with the problems of infectious diseases and malnutrition, these countries are experiencing a sharp increase in the risk factors for noncommunicable diseases such as obesity and overweight, particularly in urban environments.
* It is not unusual to find malnutrition and obesity coexist in the same country, the same community and household.
In low income countries and middle children are more likely to receive prenatal nutrition, infant and young child insufficient. At the same time, they are exposed to energy-dense foods high in fat, sugar and salt and low in micronutrients, which are usually inexpensive. These habits, along with a low physical activity, result in sharp growth of childhood obesity, while malnutrition problems remain unresolved.How can you reduce overweight and obesity?
Overweight and obesity and their associated non-communicable diseases are largely preventable. To support people in the process of making choices, so the easiest option is the healthiest in terms of food and regular physical activity, and thereby prevent obesity, some communities are fundamental and some environments.
At the individual level, people can:
* Limiting the energy intake from total fat;
* Increase consumption of fruits and vegetables, and legumes, whole grains and nuts;
* Limit your intake of sugars
* Regular physical activity and
* Energy balance and a healthy weight.
Individual responsibility can only be fully effective when people have access to a healthy lifestyle. Therefore, in social terms is important:
* To support people in carrying out the above recommendations, through a sustained political commitment and collaboration of multiple public and private stakeholders, and
* Make regular physical activity and healthy eating habits are both affordable and easily accessible to all, particularly the poorest.
The food industry can play an important role in promoting healthy eating:
* Reducing fat, sugar and salt in processed food;
* Ensuring that all consumers can physically and economically accessible to a healthy and nutritious food;
* Implementing responsible marketing and
* Ensure the availability of healthy foods and support the practice of regular physical activity in the workplace.
WHO's response
Adopted by the World Health Assembly in 2004, the WHO Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health describes the measures necessary to support healthy eating and regular physical activity. The Strategy calls upon all stakeholders to take action at the global, regional and local levels to improve diets and physical activity among the population.
WHO has established the Action Plan 2008-2013 of the global strategy for prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases in order to help the millions already affected by these diseases that last a lifetime to deal with them and prevent secondary complications. The Action Plan is based on the WHO Framework Convention for the Control of Snuff and the WHO Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health, and provides a roadmap for establishing and strengthening surveillance efforts, prevention and treatment of noncommunicable diseases
In our society obsessed with physical appearance many people believe that overweight is a problem of aesthetics. But being overweight is a health issue because it can seriously affect a person's health.The weight in perspective
When experts use the term "overweight" does not refer to having a few extra kilos. Everyone has body fat, and a few extra pounds pose no health risk to most people.
Health problems that can result from being overweight go way beyond what we are accustomed to hearing, such as diabetes or heart problems. Being overweight can also affect joints, breathing, sleep, mood and energy levels. So being overweight can negatively affect the overall quality of life of a person.Define overweight
When people eat more calories than you burn, your body stores excess calories as fat.
A little more body fat does not pose a health risk to most people. But when a person gets used to eating more calories than you burn fat it accumulates in the body.
Ultimately, you can reach a point where excess body fat may have a negative effect on the health of the individual. Doctors use the terms "overweight" and "obese" to describe people who are at risk of developing health problems related to excess weight.
As you've probably heard, there are now more overweight people than in the past, which has led some experts to talk about an "epidemic of obesity." This health problem affects young people and adults, one third of children between 2 and 19 are obese or overweight. And now there are young people who are developing health problems that previously only affected adults, such as hypertension, high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes.
The most common causes are:
* The excessive food intake, especially of foods high in saturated fat and carbohydrates.
* Unhealthy eating habits. Sometimes you do not need to overeat to suffer from obesity. Eat little but ill also be a cause.
* A sedentary lifestyle also causes obesity. The human body needs physical activity to burn excess fat and calories.
* It is also proven that there is genetic predisposition to obesity.
* The family influence is also a very important factor that can cause a person is obese. This aspect refers not only to genetic issues, but rather to the family habits. From small children learn in their family. It is very likely that a person, the son of parents obese, obesity also suffer sooner or later, since from small purchases eating habits and customs of their parents.
* The metabolism of each is also a determining factor for obesity. People with low metabolism have a higher predisposition to become obese and are generally more difficult the task of reducing weight.
* Psychological factors. There are certain states that may promote weight gain up to obesity. Many people overeat when they are depressed, bored or anxious.
* Thyroid problems are also a risk factor for obesity.
* The use of certain medications can also cause obesity. The most common drugs that often cause weight gain are what they have a high content of steroids and some antidepressants.
The Influence of Environment on Obesity and Overweight
The causes of obesity can be many. In all cases already known, must be added another important risk factor: the cultural environment in which a person can significantly influence that person to end up being obese. It is common to see that in some countries, provinces or cities, the percentage of obese people are higher than elsewhere. This is because from a cultural standpoint, there are certain habits and customs that contribute and are a risk factor for a high percentage of the population are overweight. Also, more people are obese in the immediate environment, the greater the probability of also suffering from obesity.
That is why you often see that in one family, several members are overweight. The children of obese parents are more likely to be obese. This is due not only to genetic factors (as also happens with people who live together and have no blood tie) but also by familial and cultural influence from parents.
Television is another factor that has significantly influenced the increase of obesity because it has an important role in today's society. In the TV ads are constantly on junk food, sweets, snacks, prepared foods and sugary drinks. This creates a culture that is becoming more common to eat these foods. Much of the foods advertised on television are harmful to an obese person. For this reason and because of the influence that exist in society and especially in the immediate family, it is considered that obesity has become an epidemic and is increasing the number of people who suffer.
Today on TV and in the media, there is a curious paradox that is also reflected in society in general. Among all the announcements of sugary soft drinks, junk food, sweets, forcefully entered the advertising of light and low in fat. These products respond to the urgent need for a large number of people who are obese as a result of various factors, but still a very important advertising now sells them light.
Prevent Obesity
Although it may have some genetic predisposition to obesity, you can avoid getting it accustomed to follow certain habits and customs. Those more prone to gain weight or who have cases or a family history of obesity should be particularly concerned to prevent it to be free from them as well.
Here are some tips and habits to be applied in daily life to prevent obesity.
* Avoid eating between meals, especially sweet snacks. This type of feed and products which are more fattening.
* Eating a varied and healthy diet.
* Get used to eat slowly and pausing between bites. This helps to consume fewer calories, and increasing satiety.
* Exercise daily and avoid a sedentary lifestyle. A good alternative to get used to exercising is to leave the elevator or get off a couple of stops before the bus stop. In this way, every day is working out almost without noticing.
* Knowing the calorie values of food aid to moderate and a balanced diet. According to the FDA (Food and Drugs Administration) a person should consume each day on average about 2000 calories.
* Weigh yourself often also helps control weight. On the other hand, we must be careful that this does not become an obsession.
* Include plenty of fruits and vegetables at meals. This group of foods are very healthy and are the least fattening.
* Avoid sugary drinks. This type of fat drinks too much and people tend to drink them in quantity.
* We must make every meal but in appropriate portions and not excessive.
* Eat only when hungry. This may sound absurd, but many people eat at any time throughout the day, only because they are "boring" or they want to. When you go to eat something, it's good to ask if it really is by hungry or because he wants.
* It is good to eat while doing another activity like reading, studying or working. Nor is it good to eat while watching television or using the computer. This is because when you perform another activity, you lose track of what you are eating and may overeat without even realizing it.
* It is important to try to avoid eating junk foods and all have a lot of carbohydrates and saturated fats.
* Drink 2 liters of water each day also helps maintain a healthy diet.
