WORLD OBESITY DAY 2024: “LET’S TALK ABOUT OBESITY AND…”

Mon 04 March 2024:

World Obesity Day is observed on March 4 every year. Obesity Day tries to raise awareness about this medical condition. The theme for this year’s campaign is “Let’s Talk About Obesity And…” According to the World Health Organisation, in 2022, overweight affect around 37 million children under 5 globally, and over 390 million children and adolescents aged 5 -19 years were overweight, including 160 million who were living with obesity – 75% of who live in low- and middle-income countries. World Obesity Day also encourages solutions that can help maintain a healthy weight and reverse the obesity crisis with practical measures.

Understanding obesity and its dangers

According to WHO, a body mass index (BMI) over 25 is considered overweight, and over 30 is obese.

Obesity is a complex medical condition that can increase an individual’s risk of developing several health conditions. It is a common risk factor for heart disease, diabetes, liver disease, sleep apnea, hypertension, bad cholesterol levels, reproductive issues, poor bone health and even cancer.

Obesity and heart health

Obesity can also affect the heart in many ways. Dr. Vivek Bindal, Director & Head, Bariatric & Robotic Surgery at Max Hospital explains the impact of obesity on one’s heart.

“Obesity poses a substantial threat to heart health, significantly increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. The excess body weight associated with obesity triggers multiple adverse effects on the cardiovascular system. A primary concern is the development of atherosclerosis, where fatty deposits accumulate in the arteries, restricting blood flow to the heart and elevating the chances of heart attacks and strokes,” he explains.

What should be done?

“Addressing obesity through weight loss is a crucial step in mitigating these risks. Weight loss is particularly effective in managing associated conditions such as hypertension and type-2 diabetes, both of which amplify the cardiovascular risk posed by obesity,” he adds.

It is wise to adopt a holistic approach for sustainable weight loss. A combination of healthy dietary choices with regular physical activity can help maintain a healthy weight. Balanced nutrition not only aids in weight reduction but also supports overall cardiovascular health. Similarly, regular exercise helps strengthen heart muscles along with weight loss.

It is also crucial to focus on good nutrition with a well-balanced, wholesome diet. WHO mentions that reducing the number of calories consumed from fats and sugars and increasing the portion of daily intake of fruit, vegetables, legumes, whole grains and nuts can help prevent obesity.

SA commemorates World Obesity Day

“The Department of Health urges people to engage in regular physical activity; drink [sufficient] water; serve the correct amount of food to avoid overeating; limit the consumption of foods and drinks high in sugar, salt and fat, and snack on fresh vegetables and fruits instead of salty snacks or sugary treats,” the department said in a statement.

The department highlighted that the rise in obesity poses a serious challenge to public health worldwide, with South Africa being amongst the countries with the highest overweight and obesity rates.

According to the 2016 SA national survey, 68% of women and 31% of men are either overweight or obese, while 13% of children under the age of 5 are overweight.

In terms of obesity, at least 41% of women have obesity, with 20% of them falling in the severe obesity category. In contrast, only 11% of men have obesity. The prevalence of obesity among women rose from 27% in 1998 to 41% in 2016. There was very little change in obesity amongst men, with only a 2% increase during the same period.

“These worrying figures underscore the need for effective prevention interventions to address obesity and promote healthier lifestyles and setting nutrition standards for food and beverages provided in places like Early Child Development Centres, schools, community nutrition development centres and other feeding programmes,” the department said.

The department said the increased prevalence of overweight and obesity among people contributes to the onset of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension and cancer, which are currently the biggest threats to health and development among populations.

Women with obesity are at increased risk of miscarriage, pre-eclampsia, induced labour, and are less likely to initiate breastfeeding. On the other hand, obese men are at a higher risk of developing cancers of the colon, rectum and erectile dysfunction.

“The words obesity and overweight are often confused and used interchangeably. However, these are two related health conditions with slightly different meanings. Overweight is when a body mass index (a value derived from the mass and height of a person) is greater than or equal to 25, whereas obesity is a BMI greater than or equal to 30,” the department explained.

The department said while many people exercise day and night to keep fit and healthy, it is important to know the 80/20 rule for weight loss, which emphasises that nutrition contributes 80% and routine exercise contributes only 20% when it comes to losing weight.

“This means that as long as you don’t make healthier food choices, physical activities will do less to reduce obesity.

“The department urges employers to support efforts by government and other stakeholders by creating healthy and productive working environments for employees as part of health and wellness programmes.

“This includes establishing wellness centres and serving healthier food menus in their canteens,” the department said.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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