How Healthy Eating
Prevents Obesity
Obesity among children and adults has been a growing health concern and is expected to
surpass cigarettes as the leading cause of high mortality rates. In Canada, obesity is an
economic burden that costs $3 billion annually. As of 2017, Canada stood 35th in rank as
the country with the highest rate of obesity, with 64% adults above age 18, and 30 %
children between ages 5 and 17 being obese. Research shows alarming statistics that
obesity rates in children are expected to increase 20 30%. The factors resulting in obesity
could include poor lifestyle choices, lack of physical activity, sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy
eating and genetics. It’s not healthy to feel good in your body when there is clearly
something wrong or you are suffering. It’s one thing to feel good in your body when you
are at an optimal BMI level. However, if you are underweight or overweight that’s when
effort should be taken to bring your body back into a state of balance. Being obese and
feeling proud about it is only harming you in the long-term. Bullying on the basis of weight
is not acceptable, neither is ‘fat pride’. You are only setting yourself up for numerous other
health problems that trickle down to other aspects of your life and prevent you from
optimal functioning in everyday activities. There are health disorders that cause you to
lose weight abnormally, then there is obesity, which is also no less than a health disorder.
Your aim should be to keep your BMI – ratio of height to weight – at normal levels. Hit 30
and you are obese. By choosing the right foods, you can prevent obesity significantly.
Unhealthy, junk or fast food do not contain the essential nutrients that your body requires
on a daily basis. Unhealthy food contains saturated fats that get stored in your system, do
not burn easily, prevent absorption of other nutrients, and contribute to weight gain.
There are simple steps to keep your weight in check and help those around you who need
to really shed off those pounds for the sake of health.