World Obesity Day - Time to Take Action

Highlights:

World Obesity Day observed globally since 2015 on the 11^th October to educate and raise awareness among the general public about the dangers of obesity and ways to control the growing epidemic
Obesity is one of the main risk factors of several chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, kidney and liver disease
Approximately 2.8 million persons die each year due to obesity-related illnesses and now obesity has been recognized as a chronic potentially life-threatening disease that should be addressed by health personnel and policymakers at the highest level

World Obesity Day observed on 11^th October is an initiative of the World Obesity Federation to push efforts aimed at raising awareness about as well as prevention and treating obesity. By 2018, the campaign had reached over 10 million people across the world and continues to stride forward.

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‘Obesity has become a global health burden, thereby increasing the risk of developing a wide range of chronic diseases. On the other hand, being obese and overweight can also affect both physical as well as mental wellbeing of a person. Therefore, on this World Obesity Day, let us all unite together and take an extra mile to end weight stigma and tackle obesity.’
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Broad Objectives of World Obesity Day

Raise awareness and educate the public about the dangers of obesity
Support the campaigns of organizations advocating obesity-related problems
Urge governments and policymakers to become involved in the global war against obesity
To motivate people to follow a balanced diet reduce sedentary lifestyle habits and participate in some regular physical activity to stay fit and healthy
Encouraging individuals to share their experiences and stories on successfully overcoming obesity

Abdominal Obesity: Major Risk Factor for Premature Death
General and abdominal obesity were strongly associated with mortality among Mexican adults. Each 5 kg/m2 increase in BMI above 25 kg/m2 was associated with a 30 percent increase in mortality.

How We Can Raise Awareness About Dangers of Obesity

Download campaign material and posters and messages from the official website and share widely on social media such as Facebook and Twitter about the harms of obesity and ways to prevent or reduce its incidence
Hospitals and clinics must display prominent messages about obesity, ways to lose weight and offer free counseling to the public about measures to tackle obesity
Print and visual media, as well as radio stations, must carry educational programs and discussions related to obesity and other obesity-related health problems
Form support groups in your community to provide a platform for persons with weight issues to discuss their struggles and learn from the experiences of others
Governments and local administration must regulate the sale of foods rich in trans fats, and thereby reducing obesity risk, especially among adolescents and kids
Parents and teachers should educate kids on making the right food choices, avoiding highly-processed junk foods and engaging in daily sports and exercise
Help a friend or family member suffering from obesity or overweight to lose weight without being judgmental
Making obesity a stigma defeats the purpose of the campaign since it discourages persons from seeking treatment for the condition

Obesity Incidence Higher in Rural Than Urban Population
Obesity rates are rising faster in rural areas than urban areas disproving long-held notions about urban population having increased rates of obesity following a recent study based on global body mass index (BMI) trends.

Obesity Facts & Figures

Obesity refers to excess body weight due to excess fat accumulation
Obesity is estimated using body mass index (BMI) and graded as overweight, obese and severely obese
It is estimated that 2.7 billion adults will be overweight, over 1 billion will be obese, and 177 million adults severely obese by 2025
Obesity is more common in females compared to males
Childhood obesity is rising at an alarming rate underscoring the need for urgent action to address this issue
Obesity is mostly caused by excess consumption of calories and improper diet along with reduced physical activity and a sedentary life, although it can also be caused by certain medical conditions
Obesity-related conditions cause more deaths than malnutrition
Healthy balanced diet, avoiding junk food and regular exercise can fight obesity

Eating Nuts Every Day can Help You Lose Weight
Are nuts good for weight loss? Yes, people who regularly snack on a variety of nuts are less likely to gain weight. So, hurry up, grab some nuts every day to fight obesity.

Dangers of Obesity

Excess body weight can lead to a wide range of health problems and complications such as

High blood pressure (hypertension)
Heart disease and stroke
Diabetes
Several cancers
Gallstones
Osteoarthritis (joint damage)
Gout
Asthma
Breathing issues (obstructive sleep apnea)
Depression and loneliness
Liver disease
Kidney disease
Infertility in women

In conclusion, obesity has now become more common and considered a potentially life-threatening condition. However, it is preventable through healthy living and needs to be addressed urgently to improve the health of the population through education and awareness campaigns. On this World Obesity Day, let us all unite in the war against obesity to live a longer and healthier life.

References:

Prevention of Obesity - (https://www.worldobesity.org/about/about-obesity/prevention-of-obesity)
World Obesity Day - How to Get Involved - (https://www.obesityday.worldobesity.org/take-action)
World Obesity Day - (https://www.moh.gov.sa/en/HealthAwareness/healthDay/2019/Pages/HealthDay-2019-10-11.aspx)

Source-Medindia