Preventing Obesity

Much of today's society has become obese or subjected to a high potential for obesity due to increased food intake, the abundance of unhealthy foods, and physical inactivity. Obesity is classified as an adult that has a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or higher, while overweight is classified as a BMI of 25 to 29.9. Body Mass Index, or BMI, is a ratio of height to weight; although it is slightly inaccurate (as muscular people can weigh more than the average), it serves as a quick reference scale to estimate the population without difficult measurements.

According to data from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), in the past 20 years, obesity has increased dramatically in the United States. In 2008, thirty-two states had a prevalence of obesity equal to or greater than 25% and six states had a prevalence of obesity equal to or greater than 30%. The only state in the nation that had a prevalence of obesity less than 20% in 2008 was Colorado.¹

Being overweight or obese causes a significant increase risk of: coronary heart disease, Type II diabetes, cancer, hypertension, stroke, liver disease, gallbladder disease, sleep apnea, respiratory problems, osteoarthritis, high cholesterol, and infertility. Obesity is now considered to be the primary cause for chronic disease as over 1 billion people on earth are overweight with 300 million of them being clinically obese.² These numbers equate to a matter of epidemic proportions!

In order to prevent obesity and to halt the epidemic, certain factors must come into play.

First, all individuals need to take personal responsibility for their weight. Even though there are genetic predispositions to obesity, it is the environmental, nutritional, emotional, and physical factors that activate the predisposition.³ Every individual has a choice and a personal responsibility about their weight.

"Despite obesity having strong genetic determinants, the genetic composition of the population does not change rapidly. Therefore, the large increase in . . . [obesity] must reflect major changes in non-genetic factors."
- Hill, James O., and Trowbridge, Frederick L. Childhood obesity: future directions and research priorities. Pediatrics. 1998; Supplement: 571.

Second, consumption of foods should be improved by understanding nutritional intake. Foods are the source of human energy and also the source for healing and repair. Foods that are manufactured, processed, high in preservatives, and lacking nutritional value will promote the rising epidemic of obesity as they supply the body with "empty calories". Counting calories is important, but counting nutrition is even more important! Consider that if the body is needing a nutrient, such as Vitamin C, and an individual consumes an entire box of Twinkies, they will still be hungry! Even though the body consumed thousands of calories, they did not obtain a needed nutrient; thus, the body will still be hungry in attempts to acquire the needed nutrient. Much of society is overfed and undernourished!

Third, physical activity needs to be increased. The body was designed to move and feels better when it moves. When sedentary, the body begins to have aches and pains because it wants to move. Over time, a sedentary person will have less muscle mass and a lower metabolism - the body is deteriorating and shutting down. "If you do not use it, you lose it," the adage states. Each individual should have at least 30 minutes of exercise a day - even just walking! Increasing physical activity is simple: park farther from the front doors of the store, take the stairs, dance, do yard work... The possibilities for increased physical activity are endless.

As individuals begin to take personal responsibility for their health, implement better choices for food consumption, and improve their physical activities, obesity could begin to decline - also at epidemic proportions. All that is needed is the commitment of one more person... are you ready?