Overweight and obesity is rising at a terrible rate all over the globe, particularly in advanced countries like the U.S.. In October 2002, information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that 31% of grown ups in the USA were considered seriously overweight in the year 2000 compared to 14.4% in 1980.
In addition to that, around 15percent of youngsters and teenagers were overweight in 2000 – triple what the number was in 1980.
Definition of overweight and obese
The frequent definition for being called overweight or obese may possibly not make much sense to most individuals. Obesity ishaving a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30. Overweight is having a BMI of 25–29.9. So, what is BMI exactly?
BMI is a measure of body fat based on your height and weight. It is calculated by dividing your weight in kilograms by your height in meters squared.To make it easier, use this online BMI calculator:
In 2001, the U.S. Surgeon General warned that weight problems might soon kill more People in america than tobacco smoke. Understand this: With all of the improvements we have made in cleanliness, nutrition and controlling diseases, this generation will be the first in American documented history with a smaller life expectancy than their parents. We are killing ourselves and our youngsters with the habits that have made us obese.
What’s created this fat epidemic?
Why so many big and extensive changes in weight problems? Data compiled from around the earth show that distinct environmental and cultural conditions add to obesity in City and rural populations.
Experts believe that increasing rates of weight problems among young and old may be attributed to a mix of this list:
watching Tv
working with a computer
Driving long distances (for example, commuting)
Working long hours at inactive jobs
Conveniences which lower physical activity (like “drive-through” banking)
Lack of protected playgrounds for children
elevated consumption of pop and other “business-driven” factors that motivate overeating, like:
Larger portion sizes in restaurants
Increased sizes of individual food items (such as soft drinks, candy bars, bagels)
Increased prevalence of vending machines
Huge number of inadequate food choices
Agressive promoting of high-calorie foods
Advertising methods that encourage ordering bigger serving sizes
Emotional overeating, brought on by increased stress
Repeated dieting
Greater acceptance of obesity in selected cultural groups
Although many complicated cultural and environmental factors contribute to the weight problems trend, in most cases, the equation is simple: too many calories eaten and not enough calories expended (too little activity) is a recipe for obesity.
The obesity epidemic is just one of the many health problems we face with aging. Another problem is that our diets are lacking in antioxidant foods and our declining levels of glutathione – the Master Antioxidant leave us more vulnerable to free radical damage.