World Obesity Day - Time to Take Action

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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.

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

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 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.’

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

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:

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

Source: Medindia

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