Obesity affects more than 800 million people worldwide. Obesity, defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more, is the abnormal or excessive fat buildup that presents a risk to health. With the recent changes in food trends and eating patterns, obesity has emerged as a significant health concern and fitness challenge in terms of maintaining a healthy weight.
March 4 of every year is celebrated as World Obesity Day, as convened by the World Obesity Foundation (WOF) and its global members. This year’s focus is simple “Everybody Needs to Act” to improve the world’s understanding, prevention, and treatment of obesity.
The main purpose of the celebration is a call to action in response to the global obesity pandemic. It includes raising awareness, motivating people to become change advocates, establishing a healthy environment by building the necessary support systems, keeping strong together, and inspiring the global community to work towards a common goal – reducing obesity.
People living with obesity are subjected to several stigmatizing assumptions. Society’s view on obesity is often related to poor lifestyle choices or the lack of willpower. The mantra to “eat less, move more” has failed to acknowledge that obesity can be caused by several factors including biology, mental health, genetic risk, environment, healthcare inaccessibility, and access to processed foods. This condition raises the risk of developing chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and possibly cancer.
A way to lower the risk of obesity is through a healthy diet. The healthy shift from saturated fats to unsaturated fats could make a significant difference in someone’s diet. Increasing the intake of fiber-rich meals, as well as fruits and vegetables, while decreasing consumption of sugar-rich foods, could be among the other modifications.
The Overweight and Obesity Management and Prevention Program is a nutrition-specific program under the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) 2017-2022 that addresses the obesity problem. This multi-sectoral program aims to prevent further increases in overweight and obesity by 2022.
Childhood obesity may be linked to increased access to high-calorie foods and sugar-sweetened beverages. Engagement in sedentary activities has also become common to children these days, as they have increased television viewing, playing video or computer games, or social media surfing throughout the day, all of which reduces their physical activity.
The key to maintaining a healthy weight is to strike a balance between calorie intake and physical activity. An increase in the usage of these calories may also help reduce obesity. A minimum of 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise every day could also benefit your health. This could include dancing, brisk walking, or riding a bicycle.
We urge the public to change society’s view on obesity. Let us work together to become change advocates and create a healthy environment for those in need. Always remember the Kumainment #9 - “Panatilin ang Tamang Timbang”.
Together, we can all work to ensure happier, healthier, and longer lives for everyone.
Written by: NO I Janna Alexia Necio and NPC Milagros Elisa V. Federizo
Sources:
- World Obesity Day Fact Sheets. Retrieved from https://www.worldobesityday.org/resources/entry/factsheets
- PPAN 2017-2022. Retrieved from https://www.nnc.gov.ph/plans-and-programs/philippine-plan-of-action-for-nutrition-ppan
- Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos. Retrieved from https://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph/index.php/publications/writers-pool-corner/57-food-and-nutrition/204-nutritional-guidelines-for-filipinos-a-prescription-to-good-nutrition
