[O8]Obesity Epidemic In America

Journal of the American Medical Association published a research which tells that; on average Americans watch four to five hours of television per day, making it the most prevalent and pervasive sedentary behavior in the US. Technology has brought time and labor saving products. Cars, Elevators, dishwashers, food processors, etc… have brought about a changed lifestyle where the overall energy expended is decreased. This has led to obesity. Obesity can expose you to serious health hazards
•Heart disease and stroke is a leading cause of disability
•Diabetes - Type 2
•Cancers of the colon, rectum, prostrate in men, uterus, gall bladder, cervix, ovary, breasts and colon in women
•Sleep Apnea due to interrupted breathing during sleep
•Osteoarthritis
•Gall stones and gall bladder diseases.

Adults around the world are getting fatter and the obesity epidemic is becoming an alarming concern. Are you obese? Would you like to rule this possibility out? A simple body mass index calculation could give you an indication. The formula for the body fat calculator is BMI = kg/m2. The weight in kilograms is divided by the square of the height (in meters). If you have your height in inches, then multiply it with 0.00254. Similarly weight in pounds if multiplied by 0.45 is converted to kilograms.
•A BMI of 19 to 24.9 is considered normal weight
•A BMI of 25 to 29.9 is considered over weight
•A BMI of 30 and above is considered obese

Factors that influence obesity are many and can include genetic, environmental, and psychological as well. Excess body weight usually occurs when a person takes in more than the required amount of calories. The excess calories are converted and stored as body fat.

Research has gone into various other factors responsible for obesity. Some say sedentary life styles and too much TV watching can influence obese behavior patterns. Other research has also included the bacteria in our intestines as a causative factor as well.

What can be done to combat this epidemic?
•Research finds indicate that a significant positive effect on obese and diabetic persons is the exercise patterns.
•A regular exercise can go a long way in bringing over all benefit to the body.
•It increases body metabolism.
•It also strengthens the cardio vascular system.
•It strengthens the bones and muscles thereby increasing balance and coordination.
•De-stresses the body and increases the sense of well being.
•Helps you sleep better.

In our endeavors we should not only target increasing physical activity but also target a decrease in sedentary behavior. Every two hours spent walking or standing at home cuts the risk of obesity around 10%. A brisk walk of an hour contributes to a drop in 24% risk. Reduce your total caloric intake and more specific the dietary fat to yield better results.

Quick weight loss through weight loss surgery is bad weight loss solution. Instead a healthy lifestyle of no more than 10 hours of television per week and a thirty minutes walk daily can better your health.