Overweight and obesity is escalating at a frightening rate all over the planet, specifically in developed countries like the U.S.. As early as October 2002, information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that thirty onepercent of grown ups in the US were seriously overweight in the year 2000 versus only14.4% in 1980.
In addition to that, around 15% of children and teens were overweight in 2000 – three times what the result was in 1980.
Definition of overweight and obese
The typical definition for being described as overweight or obese might not make much sense to the majority of us. 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 could soon kill more Individuals than tobacco smoke. Its this bad: With all of the developments we have made in hygiene, nutrition and disease control, this generation is the first in American reported history with a reduced life span than their parents. We are murdering ourselves and our kids with the habits that have made us obese.
What’s caused the epidemic?
Why this kind of significant and extensive changes in our weight? Data sourced from around the earth display that distinct environmental and cultural conditions contribute to obesity in Urban and non-urban populations.
Experts consider that rising rates of obesity among people may be attributed to a mix of this list:
watching Tv
working with a computer
Driving long distances (for example, commuting)
Working long hrs at sedentary jobs
Conveniences which reduce physical activity (think “drive-through” anything)
Lack of usable playgrounds for kids
elevated consumption of pop and other “business-driven” factors that push overeating, such as:
Larger portion sizes in restaurants
Increased sizes of individual food items (such as soft drinks, candy bars, bagels)
Too many snacks from vending machines
Increased number of junk food choices
Ubiquitous promoting of high-calorie foods
Company strategies that encourage ordering larger serving sizes
Emotional overeating, induced by increased stress
Yo-Yo dieting
Greater acceptance of obesity in selected cultural groups
Although lots of complex societal and lifestyle factors add to the weight problems epidemic, in most situations, the equation is basic: too many calories ingested and too few 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 low glutathione – the Master Antioxidant leaves us more vulnerable to free radical damage.