- While close to 50% of Colombians are overweight, 30% in the main cities are obese. Sedentary lifestyle and bad eating habits are among the main causes.
- Diseases such as diabetes and hypertension are associated with obesity, these triple mortality. To reduce this risk, it is suggested to perform 150 minutes of physical activity a week and lead healthy lifestyle habits.
Overweight and obesity are defined as an abnormal or excessive accumulation of fat that can be detrimental to health. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), each year about 2.8 million people die from obesity or overweight.
Colombia is not the exception. According to figures from the latest National Health Survey, conducted in 2015, 52% of Colombians are overweight or obese. In addition, one in five Colombians suffers from this disease.
Among the main reasons why people are obese are the changes in eating habits and work routines that do not allow people to have physical activity. In fact, in Colombia, 60% of the adult population has bad eating habits.
How to combat this disease?
- Obesity prevention should start from childhood, when parents understand the importance of true nutrition. Nutrition is not eating until you are full or exaggerating the volume of foods that make up a menu, to feel well fed.
- A goal of feeding with a balance of various groups of nutrients is suggested, which according to the age group in which a person is, there will be specific recommendations. In general, a balanced diet should be sought, offering an adequate distribution of each food group to confirm a total caloric value, that is: Between 45% to 50% carbohydrates, 20%-25% protein and 25% to 30% fat. The calculation of the ideal weight is important, to define the total calories to consume daily based on it, and take into account if the person is physically active or sedentary; since in this case a smaller number of calories would be calculated for the sedentary person. Likewise, within the history of habits, it is important to detect those foods that, within each region, are culturally consumed and become favourites. At the same time, taking into account the tastes of people in terms of gastronomy. In such a way that all these aspects play an important role in the prevention of Obesity.
- Reducing calories and adopting healthier eating habits is critical to overcoming obesity. Although you may lose weight quickly at first, sustained weight loss over the long term is considered the safest way to lose weight and the best way to keep it off permanently, says Edgard Nessim, MD, an endocrinologist at the Clinic.
- It is suggested to avoid unrealistically drastic diets, such as “craze” diets, because they are unlikely to help prevent weight gain in the long term. In turn, prepare to participate in a comprehensive weight loss program for at least six months and, in a maintenance phase of a program, for at least one year to increase the chances of weight loss success By seeking help from a multidisciplinary team of professionals, comprehensive support is ensured, obtaining positive results from different aspects to achieve the objective.