National Obesity Month

Did you know that worldwide obesity has doubled since 1980? That’s only 35 years! In America alone, one in every three children and more than one third of the adult population is overweight or obese. The medical costs of obese patients totaled an average of $1,429 higher than those of patients of normal weight, according to the CDC. This isn’t totally surprising considering obesity puts people at an increased risk for a myriad of health problems including heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, and development of type-2 diabetes and certain types of cancers.

There are many different factors and potential causes of obesity. Genetics absolutely play a role; those with obese parents are more likely to become obese themselves. Someone with a slow metabolism has a higher risk of becoming obese.

Your lifestyle can also be directly correlated with your weight. Those living passive, mainly sedentary lives are more likely to become gain weight than their more active peers. People with less time in their schedules to prepare healthier meals are more likely to reach for the easy, convenient, sugar-loaded options stocking tons of grocery store shelves across the nation.

However, there are also plenty of ways to combat and prevent obesity!

A healthy diet is a key factor in weight loss and management. Instead of stocking chips and cookies, you can keep some fresh cut fruit on hand for a quick and easy afternoon snack. It’s always best to buy fruits and vegetables when they are in season. If you can, buy local! A quick Google search can lead you to farmer’s markets you never would have thought to visit with tons of fresh foods to choose from.

Increasing your physical activity is also extraordinarily helpful when it comes to managing your weight. Your day might seem too busy for a high-intensity daily workout, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make small changes; take the stairs instead of the elevator, park farther away from the store, and make an after-dinner walk around the block part of your normal routine!

Exercise also acts as a stress release, helping to ease away your worries and clear your busy brain. The more stressed you are, the higher your risk of obesity can become. Find things that relax you, such as biking through a park, painting a picture, or reading a book and set aside a block of time each week to spend doing it.

Obesity affects nearly 600 million people in the world, but it does not have to affect you.