Monday, July 29, 2013

Want to Live longer, Watch your weight

Overweight and obesity are defined as abnormal or excessive accumulation that may impair health.

a BMI (Body Mass Index) greater than or equal to 25 is overweight
a BMI (Body Mass Index) greater than or equal to 30 is obesity


Overweight  and obesity are the fifth leading risk for global death. At least 2.8 million adults die each year as a result of being overweight or obese. In addition 44% of the diabetes burden, 23% of the ischemic heart disease burden and between 7% and 41% of certain cancer burdens are attributable to overweight and obesity.

Causes of overweight and obesity
The fundamental cause of obesity and overweight is an energy imbalance between calories consumed and calories expended. Globally, there has been an increase in physical inactivity due to the increasingly sedentary nature of many forms of work, changing modes of transportation, and increasing urbanization.

Changes in dietary and physical activity patterns are often the result of environmental and societal changes associated with development and lack of supportive policies in sectors such as health, agriculture, transport, urban planning, environment, food processing, distribution, marketing and education.

Common health consequences of overweight and obesity
  • Heart Attack
  • Diabetes
  • High blood pressure
  • Disease of Joint
  • some cancers
"The average life expectancy in the United States is 77 and 79 for men and women respectively. In Nigeria it is 47 and 49 because of our poor lifestyles. Exercise is a huge challenge  in Nigeria, especially for the working class.

" Make sure you crack a sweat. Engaged yourself in an exercise, at least for 30 minutes or more, preferable, all days of the week. Example walking a 15-minutes mile or weeding and hoeing the garden.

Anybody above 35 should cut their meat, salt and sugar intake.

"As you grow older, it takes a longer time for your body to digest meat, salt and sugars. Try to eat your food as raw as possible. Also, eat more vegetables that meat or carbohydrates. They contain fewer calories that the body can burn quickly.  The more you accumulate calories in the body, the more you call for stroke, heart attacks and diabetes.

Remember health is wealth pay attention to your health.


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