The obesity crisis in America has expanded into a serious issue. According to the latest research, more than 1/3 of adults are designated as obese. Lack of fitness and a healthy diet are root causes of this problem that affects multiple industries including healthcare.
Obesity is associated with a wide array of serious health issues. It’s essential that anyone overweight considers how obesity compromises health. Whether you’re trying to ward off obesity or cope with your excessive weight, you can enhance your battles with weight gain in a number of ways.
Health Risks and Obesity
Being obese increases the likelihood that you will experience an obesity-related condition such as heart disease, cancer, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. Yet simply by shedding those pounds and adopting a more healthful lifestyle can reduce risk for diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other conditions linked to obesity.
Recent statistics show that adults with obesity call off work more than double the time that their thinner counterparts do. Immunity can be compromised without exercise and a nutritious diet.
Learn
One of the most important steps in the battle against obesity is health literacy. With one in five children in the US considered obese, it is clear that more education about obesity is needed among adults and in schools. By learning about the health risks associated with obesity, many people may take greater pains to try to ward off added weight gain.
Although your healthcare provider may be able to help explain your specific health risks, you should also consider talking to a nutritionist to tailor your diet to a weight-loss plan and adding exercise to your life every day.
Nutrition
Statistics demonstrate that less than a quarter of US adults eat five or more servings of fruits and vegetables each day. Moreover, recent research has also shown that the average adult in this country consumes more than seventy-five pounds of sugar annually.
Adopting more healthful eating habits is a necessity for Americans who want to reduce their risk of obesity. By dramatically decreasing your intake of sugar and increasing the consumption of healthy foods, you are apt to feel the benefits of these actions within weeks.
Exercise
Exercise, along with diet, is another important way to guard against obesity. Adults should be achieving roughly 150 minutes of aerobic activity each week. If you do not meet this standard, you are among a third of American adults who need to incorporate more aerobic activity into each day to improve your fitness levels.
If you have not been exercising at all, it’s important to discuss your level of fitness with your healthcare provider to find out what types of exercise you may be best suited for.
Obesity affects both mind and body health, so it’s imperative to decrease your risks for excessive weight gain. With your overall well-being at stake, you must take steps now if you are obese. Each pound you shed can have a positive impact on your health. With education, improved diet, and increased fitness, you can redirect your health in a positive direction.