Obesity: Separate The Myths vs The Facts!
Obesity is an underrated condition. The rising rates of obese individuals in both men and women, children and adults, all over the world, can attest to that. People are not taking the problem of obesity seriously. That’s probably why it is getting bigger and bigger everyday.
The first big step towards battling obesity is in knowing what is real from not, separating the myths from the facts. In this article, we will help you learn the truths about this chronic condition.
Myth: Obesity is common only in developed countries.
Truth: Obesity is also widespread in developing countries. The belief underlying the myth is that indulgent lifestyles in developed countries cause obesity. In reality, there are lots of other factors that can cause the problem. Also, while malnutrition is common in developing countries, it may also be the main reason that the condition has a rising rate of obesity. Experts believe that malnutrition may affect a person’s metabolism.
Myth: Obesity is caused only by poor diet and lack of physical exercise.
Truth: Yes, what you eat and how you make use of the calories can cause obesity. But that’s not all. It is not only an indulgent and sedentary lifestyle that triggers obesity. There are many different factors that can cause the problem and the rest of them are mostly uncontrollable. One of them is hormone disorder related to an irregularity on the thyroid, the pituitary glands, ovaries, and adrenal glands.
Myth: If you are obese, you must aim to lose a large amount of weight in as little time as possible.
Truth: Losing a large amount of weight in a short span of time is unhealthy. It may expose you to specific health risks such as gallstones. What is fast weight loss and what is normal? Losing three pounds or more per week is considered fast; losing one or two pounds per week on a steady regimen of good eating and exercise habits is considered ideal.
Myth: Weight gain, especially in women, is a normal part of the aging process.
Truth: Aging may contribute a lot in significant metabolism change but gaining a lot of weight, 20 pounds or more than your ideal weight, is never considered normal and will not discount women from suffering from obesity-related diseases. In fact, obesity increases a woman’s risk of certain cancers and other disorders. It also makes women look older than they really are. Obese people age faster than those whose weight is steady and normal.
Myth: You may only get osteoarthritis if you gain a large amount of weight in a short span of time.
Truth: It is not about the period of time when you have gained the weight. It is all about the amount of weight you have gained. For every pound beyond your ideal weight, you increase your risk not just for osteoarthritis but for other obesity-related diseases as well.
Myth: BMI or Body Mass Index is the most useful indicator of obesity.
Truth: Some people prefer making consultations with a medical professional than just basing on BMI. That’s because BMI cannot be an absolute indicator of obesity. Some people’s extra weight are muscles and not fat.
I feel you don’t have to be a vegetarian about it, you CAN eat meat…you can be wholesome with or without meat…just in all probability wanna avoid deep fried bacon grease bits…you already know what I’m saying. Great article Thanks
Obesity is very serious and kills a lot of people every year in our country and around the world. Medical science should be working harder and collaborating with government agencies to stop it in its tracks.