Theme 2017: “TREAT OBESITY NOW AND AVOID THE CONSEQUENCES LATER”
World Obesity Day is observed globally on 11 October to promote practical solutions to end the global obesity crisis.
The first World Obesity Day took place in 2015. The second took place in 2016 and focused on childhood obesity, aligning with the WHO Commission report on Ending Childhood Obesity.
Based on current trends, 2.7 billion adults worldwide will suffer from overweight and obesity by 2025, of which 177 million adults will be in need of treatment as a result of severe obesity.
Untreated, obesity is responsible for a significant proportion of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) including heart disease, diabetes, liver disease and many types of cancer.
Obesity in India
Even as India battles malnutrition, the country has developed another nutritional problem—obesity. India ranks third among the countries with the highest rate of obesity in the world. There is increasing incidence of overall obesity and childhood obesity especially in urban areas.
In the past 10 years, the number of obese people has doubled in the country, according to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4).
What is the difference between overweight and obese?
Stages of overweight are medically defined by body mass index (BMI). An individual with a BMI of 25 to 29.9 is clinically classified as overweight. A BMI of 30 or more is classified as obese.
Health risks associated with obesity
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Gallbladder disease
- Gastroesophageal reflux diseases (GERD)
- Osteoarthritis
- Sleep apnea and respiratory problems
- Some cancers
Treatments available for obesity
- Behavior modification
- Physical activity
- Medically managed weight loss
- Surgical treatment
Obesity is not because it runs in the family!!! It is because no one runs in the family!!!
References
- Pandey, K. (2016). India’s obesity doubled in 10 years: NFHS-4. [online] Downtoearth.org.in. Available at: http://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/nfhs-4-highlights-india-has-become-obese-more-than-doubled-in-one-decade-only-52527 [Accessed 10 Oct. 2017].
- Jessica, A. (2017). 5 Top Causes of Rising Obesity in India. [online] BestSourceNutrition.com. Available at: https://www.bestsourcenutrition.com/blogs/news/5-top-causes-of-rising-obesity-in-india [Accessed 10 Oct. 2017].
3. Obesity Foundation of India. About Obesity. [online] Available at: http://obesityfoundationindia.com/about.htm [Accessed 10 Oct. 2017].