How to Beat Obesity with Healthy Eating

“Every time someone sees a slimmed-down picture of me, it’s not because I felt the pressure of the girl next to me being size 2. It’s just making the choice for myself to be healthier, because I know that I’m less sick when I’m more active; I have more energy when I’m more active.”

This was the statement of American Idol alumnae Jordin Sparks when she talked about how her 30-pound weight loss was not just about fitting in Hollywood’s image for celebrities, but her health.

From her statement alone, it is evident that Hollywood has its fair share of obese personalities and that even celebrities are not exempted from this sad fact plaguing countries all across the Globe. In fact, everywhere you look nowadays, you will surely hear about famous personalities and their stories about being overweight or obese. And, majority of them think it’s bad. But, what does this word really mean?

The Definition of Obesity

When medical professionals tell you that you are obese, they are not trying to put you down. They are actually using a medical term to describe your weight. So, do not be offended. Obesity is a medical condition, wherein too much body fat has been accumulated to the point that it brings negative effects to your health. For the Western people, you will be considered obese when your body mass index or BMI, a measurement taken by dividing the weight of a person by the square of his height, exceeds 30 kg/m².

The Statistics

Over the past 25 years, the rate of people with obesity has been climbing steadily. According to the most recent survey conducted by the National Health and Nutrition Examination, 33 percent of men and 35 percent of women are classified as obese. Also, 16 percent of children and adolescents were found to be obese.

Its Symptoms

There are lots of factors that are said to have caused the obesity epidemic. But, according to associate professor of medicine and pediatrics at the Boston University School of Medicine, Caroline M. Apovian, MD, “More people are becoming obese because of the foods that are available and inexpensive. We are eating 200 more calories per day than we did 50 years ago”. Other than food, the environment has also caused people to gain extra pounds. Linda Bacon, PhD, explained, “Weight gain results from the interaction between genes and environment. Environmental conditions are changing and some people’s genes make them susceptible to gaining weight in the current environmental conditions”.

Its Effects

In addition to the health perils, obesity is more likely to cause psychological issues, such as depression and lack of self-esteem. Also, it leads to other problems like disadvantages in employment. Based on studies, on average, obese workers have a higher number of days absent compared to typical workers. Obese people have become a problem to other industries as well. Airline companies are now having issues as they have to expand the seating width. The health care industry also had to invest in special facilities to accommodate obese patients. Thus, some health insurers can either grant or reject coverage for the treatment or procedures for these patients.

Preventing Obesity

Most often, dietary plans that are designed for weight loss, as well as an improved eating habit and an active lifestyle, are among those that help prevent obesity. Besides these, there are others ways you can do and these include:

Eat about five to six servings of fruits and vegetables per day. Each serving must have at least one-half cup of cooked vegetables or fresh fruit. Luckily there is an easier altearnative – a superfood green drink like the one from Be Healthy
Eat whole grain foods like whole wheat bread or brown rice. Avoid processed foods made with saturated fat, flour, and white sugar.
Observe proper portion sizes. Before eating, it is best to weigh or measure food. For instance, a three-ounce serving of meat is about the size of a deck of cards.
Exercise regularly. In a day, allocate at least 30 minutes of exercise. You can start by having a 15-minute walk.

From the information presented above, you will know that beating obesity is not an easy task. However, staying obese has its own risks. So, you really have to stay away from it and learn from Jennifer Lawrence’s story.

From an obese person, Sparks managed to become one of today’s most recognizable talents. She is proof that while several factors can cause obesity, there are also many ways to fight it. So, stay active and incorporate healthy diet choices in your lifestyle and you will get the kind of healthier body that you have always wanted for yourself.