It is now established fact that overweight and obesity make up the most common lifestyle ailment in India and affect a large number of the population. Maintaining proper weight is important as it will not only keep chronic diseases at bay but also keep one’s energy levels high every day. Whether one has a healthy or ideal weight or not can be determined by calculating your BMI (body mass index) with a simple formula on the basis of one’s weight and height. Being overweight or obese on this parameter means one is at risk of diabetes, blood pressure, heart disease and other such lifestyle diseases in the immediate future. Being underweight can mean one has a low immunity, may be at risk of osteoporosis, decreased muscle strength, hypothermia etc.
Among others contributing to obesity, an epidemic of sorts, is the rising consumption of highly processed foods which are usually high in salt, sugar and bad fats. On top of it, there is hardly adequate information available about unhealthy ingredients used by the food industry in spite of guidelines that require just that.
Other factors such as stressful work culture, sedentary lifestyle, irregularities in sleep and untimely eating are some of the major reasons for obesity.
Amid this scenario, there is an urgent need to calibrate patterns of consumption, nutrition and lifestyle in order to fight obesity.
However, the vast majority of people do not seem to recognise the importance of leading a healthy and active life. As per the experts people tend to lead sedentary lives and lack the motivation to do exercise of any kind including going for walks.
Regrettably, parents do not realise the adverse consequences of life choice decisions they make on the health and nutritional well-being of children.
The public health experts have been calling for curbs on highly processed junk food to address obesity. It is a chronic disorder that involves excessive amounts of body fat which isn’t just a cosmetic concern but also involves health problems such as heart diseases, diabetes, high blood pressure, severe arthritis and even certain cancers.
Consuming anything in excessive quantities is always harmful to health. Junk food is high in calories and contains unhealthy fats that can lead to obesity and high sugar levels.
As per some experts, there are various microbial species in the stomach that help the body cells to battle against obesity, diabetes, provocative gut conditions, coronary illness, and so on. Junk foods are said to impact them badly.