(Newswire.net — August 17, 2017) — Obesity is a problem in many parts of the world, but it’s worst in the United States. A recent report from the New England Journal of Medicine is calling obesity a worldwide epidemic, but it pinpoints the U.S. as the fattest country of all.
The Facts on Obesity
“The highest level of age-standardized childhood obesity was observed in the United States, 12.7 percent,” according to the report. “The United States and China had the highest numbers of obese adults.”
The article also pointed out how one in every five adults worldwide may be considered obese, which totals an estimated 603.7 million people. More than 107.7 million children also make it onto the obesity spectrum, but China and India have the most obese children, with the U.S. in third place.
According to the study, the incidence of obesity across the globe doubled in more than 73 nations between the years 1980 and 2015. More than 4 million deaths every year can be attributed to complications from obesity, primarily in the form of cardiovascular disease.
Economic Factors
The rise of obesity in the last few decades was surprisingly high, and study authors labored to figure out the cause. Many thought that a general lack of physical activity was the primary culprit.
They also examined various socio-economic factors in each country. But researchers believed that the biggest contributor to obesity was actually an increase of empty-calorie foods.
“The problem is not simply a function of income or wealth,” study authors wrote. “Changes in the food environment and food systems are probably major drivers. Increased availability, accessibility, and affordability of energy-dense foods, along with intense marketing of such foods, could explain excess energy intake and weight gain among different populations. The reduced opportunities for physical activity that have followed urbanization and other changes in the built environment have also been considered as potential drivers; however, these changes generally preceded the global increase in obesity and are less likely to be major contributors.”
A dependence on technology may reduce one’s physical activity, which in turn leads to weight gain. But researchers also pointed to food manufacturers as a major contributor to the obesity epidemic. A substantial increase in empty-calorie food production, as well as relentless advertising strategies to promote their consumption, have played an undeniable role in the phenomenon. Weight gain was a natural product of these trends.
How to Stick to Your Diet
Most people are sensitive to the problem of unnecessary extra body weight, and they harbor good intentions about tackling it. Losing weight through dieting and exercise are among the perennial New Year’s resolutions every year.
By mid-year, however, the majority of individuals who made staunch resolutions have let them go; only about eight percent manage to stick with it for the entire year. What do those eight percent do to stick with their weight-loss regimen successfully? Below are some of the key tactics.
1. Have convenient, healthy foods on hand
One of the biggest threats to a diet is convenience. So often, we don’t feel like we have the time to cook; we’re too tired at the end of a long day, or we just succumb to laziness.
So instead of making a healthy meal from scratch, you may eat a high-sodium TV dinner, hit a drive-through on the way home, or order in a pizza. The solution is to make certain you have healthy foods on hand.
Prepare fruit-and-vegetable snack packs for when you need a quick treat. Invest in organic freezer meals loaded with vegetables and fresh produce for the days when you don’t feel like cooking. Rid your home of bags of chips, cookies, and other unhealthy snacks that will be too tempting.
2. Keep dark chocolate in the cupboard for your sugar cravings
When you feel a sugar craving, depriving yourself can pressure you into a relapse. If you allow yourself just one ounce of dark chocolate every day (a snack of less than 150 calories), you can satisfy the craving and keep from grabbing something worse.
In addition, several studies have shown that dark chocolate in small doses can help lower blood pressure, boost circulation, and improve your overall heart health.
3. Motivate yourself every single day
If you don’t have the motivation to eat healthy and stick to a diet, you’re bound to fail in the long run. Write a list of reasons that justify a loss of weight and read it to yourself every morning.
You could also purchase an outfit in a smaller size for an upcoming event, and hang it on your closet door as a reminder of your goal. Your mindset and motivation have a significant influence on your success in a dieting endeavor.
Hold yourself accountable for mistakes, and remember that each day is a chance to start fresh. With the right mindset, you can do your part to fight the obesity epidemic.