Fighting The Obesity Epidemic

By HelloLife

A Health Crisis of Epic Proportions

Children and adults everywhere are facing a serious health crisis as many people today are overweight, malnourished, and inactive. While many people today try to lose weight and keep it off, not everyone is successful, as the report of weight gain continues to rise. It is for this reason that people, doctors, and even the government are taking a stand to tackle the issue known as obesity.

Calculating Body Mass Index (BMI)

It is important to learn how to calculate a person's BMI (Body Mass Index). The body mass index scale is a relatively new way to calculate a person's body fat and health risks. According to the scale, anything rating 25 to 29.9 is considered overweight. A Body Mass Index rating of 30 and above is considered obese.

The Five Stages of Obesity

People who are overweight tend to fall into five categories:

"The Staying Overweight": People who are aware of being overweight, yet will not do anything about it, or do not care to take action.
"Yo-Yo'ers": People who are overweight and then try to lose weight through dieting, but gain it back (or more) with each cycle of weight loss.
"The Finally Not Overweight": People who diet and exercise hard to lose weight, and finally lose, and keep, most of the weight off. Once thinner, they may always have an overweight person's physiology, so they may have to take different steps to ensure weight loss.
"The Blindly Overweight": People who do not consider themselves to be overweight, and are not trying to lose weight.
"The Feeling Overweight": Someone of an average or lean build, who is trying to lose a few extra pounds.

It Pays to Exercise

While diet is a very important factor of weight loss, continued physical activity and high levels of exercise are also important factors in keeping weight off, and maintaining a person's health A brisk, one hour walk is a good daily activity that anyone at any weight stage can do. Even if it is difficult to sustain a prolonged workout session, the best thing a person can do is just simply start an exercise regimen. Even if the workout lasts only a few minutes, and consists of a small walk or workout on an exercise bike, it can make a difference. From each week onward, additional minutes can be added to a workout regimen as part of a long term goal. If a person were to start with a five minute exercise routine, and then add a minute each week. By the end of a year, a person will be doing a full hour's worth of exercise. If a person begins to feel nauseous faint, weak or dizzy, it is important to slow down or just stop.

Talk to a Doctor before Starting Any Exercise Program

Before starting any exercise regimen, it is important to discuss workout plans with a physician, especially if there is any related history of arthritis, hypertension, back problems or heart disease. Certain medications may also affect a person's hydration level, heart rate, or balance.

Sources:

http://www.saferchild.org/obesity.htm

http://health.msn.com/reports/obesity/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100140085

http://health.msn.com/reports/obesity/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100141238