How does obesity affect your health? Obesity is a growing problem in the developed world, resulting from an unhealthy diet and a sedentary lifestyle. It is determined with your BMI (body mass index), calculated as your weight (in kg) divided by your squared height (in meters). If your BMI is above 30, you are considered obese.
How obesity affects your health
In the United States, obesity has reached epidemic proportions, as over 40% of adults are obese. This stat is terrifying but is likely to worsen as Americans ignore their diet and nutrition.
It is one thing to eat, and it is another thing to eat healthily. Many people do not have a healthy eating lifestyle and are likely to experience a range of health problems beyond having excess weight. But how do you eat healthily?
For optimal nutrition, you should consume meals that contain the nutrients your body needs. The question then becomes, what nutrients do you need? Many people are unaware that our nutritional requirements vary. For example, a meal that can be nutritious to a middle-aged person may be harmful to a very young child.
Where people get it wrong with nutrition and food.
Your age, body structure, health, and other factors determine your nutritional requirements. As an overweight person, if you wish to lose weight and cut down on calories, you need to make healthier food choices. Similarly, a hypertensive patient should not engage in a Keto diet to lose weight.
In short, you need to understand your body system first to find out what nutrients you need. Doing this can help you identify the types of meals to eat and the ones to avoid. Yet, so many people don’t consider this but still wonder why they have weight and health issues. Isn’t it ironic? Although obesity is recognized as a disease, you can avoid it and cure it if you are disciplined. This sounds easy, but going from being obese to having a healthy weight requires a complete lifestyle change, which many are unwilling to make. Overeating may seem like something you can’t help, but you can.
How your diet affects your health and obesity
I am sure that many of you have started a diet, promising to yourself that you will stay dedicated to losing weight, only to revert to your old habits of eating burgers and drinking soda a few days later. To get back to having a healthy weight, watching what you eat is essential. This also means avoiding processed and junk food.
To stay on track, you should start preparing your meals. By cooking your meals and carrying them to your workplace, you will have no excuse for buying junk food while at work. Many people see cooking their meals as an underrated goal, but it plays a vital role in weight management.
In summary, if you want to stay healthy, you must eat healthily. If you are obese, as you likely have underlying health conditions, before starting a new eating plan, you should consult a medical practitioner, as well as a dietitian.
