Due to the increase in cases in adults, adolescents, boys and girls, obesity or overweight is a global epidemic. How to combat it?
Every March 4, World Obesity Day is commemorated by the World Obesity Federation and its global members, with the aim of addressing the global obesity epidemic and stop the increase in overweight in children and adolescents by promoting in society the importance of reflect on the consequences it leaves on physical and mental health live with this pathology and instill help mechanisms that can be used to prevent or manage it.
Take the Eating Disorders Test and discover how your relationship with food is.
What is obesity?
An abnormal accumulation of fat in the body that can be caused by multiple factors such as a generic, metabolic and even psychological aspect, therefore its treatment must be comprehensive.
In the following image you can see in more detail the causes and complications of obesity:
Taken from ‘Mental health and obesity’. Medigraphic. Volume. VIII – Number 2.
Not treating it in time can cause diseases such as:
- Arterial hypertension
- Type II diabetes
- High levels of cholesterol and triglycerides
- Cancer risk
- Sleep apnea
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Data to take into account
- According to the World Health Organization (WHO), this global problem affects more than 1.9 billion adults and 340 children and adolescents.
- The three countries that lead the percentage in having the largest number of overweight citizens are: the United States (13% of obese children), Mexico and Egypt (35% of obese adults).
- There is a prevalence to which women are, in the vast majority, those who live with this pathology.
- Obesity does not always cause deathHowever, you should maintain a healthy diet, low in fat and sugar.
- Another of the factors for someone to be overweight is related to eating habits, fast food advertising and a sedentary lifestyle.
Obesity data in Colombia
In the last National Nutritional Health Survey of 2015, it was reported that in Colombia there is a prevalence in adults from 18 to 64 years old with overweight of 37.7% and obesity of 18.7%.
“This means that the prevalence of overweight people in Colombia is 56.4%, which is why it has become a public health problem in the country,” said Elisa Cadena, deputy director of Nutritional Health, Food and Health. Drinks to the Ministry of Health and Social Protection.
The departments with the highest prevalence, according to Cadena, were Amazon (72.4%), San Andrés and Providencia (65.6%), Vichada (65.3%), Guainía (64.1%) and Goal (61.8%).
Is obesity related to an eating disorder (ED)?
Helen Alzate, psychologist from , points out that Yes, there is a relationship because ED, in most cases, is triggered in people who want to make changes to their body.
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“A person who is obese and does not feel comfortable with his or her body tries to lose weight, as a first measure. That’s where it starts rethink your habitsto do exerciseto search diets, drinks, medicines, among others; and not all, but the majority can fall into an ED if there is an obsession with those ‘solutions’ that are used to lose weight,” he adds.
In some case histories of people with eating disorders, it is evident that the cause of their disorder was being overweight and with it, judgment regarding their body and unsolicited opinions from family and friends.
“These types of comments make the overweight person seek the need to feel and look different, so they resort to excessive diets and abuse exercise,” concludes Alzate.
Do you think you have an eating disorder? We invite you to take it and discover it.
How to combat it?
According to The Truth About Your Weight, attend nutritional medical therapy It is essential to transform the habits of people who suffer from obesity.
This means that it will be done a nutritional restructuring plan, friendly, easy and achievable, but above all sustainable so that the process is not lost. A real and balanced diet in which no type of nutrients are eliminatedis the most recommended, according to Oscar Rosero, an endocrinologist, who told .
It should also be taken into account the quality of food, quantity when ingested and timing. Additionally, move your body through exercise 3 or 4 times a week (), sleep well ()and care and manage emotions It is vital to complement a good action plan against obesity.
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