World Obesity Day (11/10)

March 4 is World Obesity Day. It was originally celebrated on October 11, but since 2020 its date has been changed.

If 20-30 years ago the problem of obesity was a topic of discussion among individuals who care about and lead a healthy lifestyle, as well as nutritionists, today obesity and the growing number of overweight people have become one of the serious threats to human health, which is often put on a par with diseases of the cardiovascular system and cancer.

Recently, there has been an increase in the incidence of obesity in children and adolescents worldwide, with 25% of adolescents overweight and 15% obese in developed countries worldwide. Overweight in childhood – is a significant factor in obesity in adulthood: 50% of children who were overweight at 6 years of age become obese in adulthood, and in adolescence this probability increases to 80%. By 2030, WHO predicts that up to 41% of the total population will be overweight.

In reality, obesity – is predominantly one of the consequences of a healthy lifestyle disorder, leading to further complications and causing other serious diseases.

WHO back in 1997 recognized the fact that obesity had grown into a global epidemic. From this point on, doctors are conducting an intensive campaign to educate the population about the problem of overweight and obesity, explaining to people the causes that lead to obesity, informing about the consequences of obesity, as well as about measures to prevent it and methods of treatment.

Obesity itself brings with it a whole range of problems for humans. Firstly, excess weight leads to diseases of the musculoskeletal system, as the load on the joints and bones becomes increased or even excessive. Secondly, excess weight also affects the intensity of healthy physical activity, which decreases. Thirdly, the accumulation of fats in the body, along with a decrease in physical activity, leads to an increase in the risk of cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and diabetes.

By 2030, WHO predicts that up to 41% of the total population will be overweight (Photo: bikeriderlondon, licensed from Shutterstock.com)

In addition to physical problems, obesity also brings psychological problems associated with the development of many complexes, which negatively affects the human nervous system.

It is no longer a secret to anyone that the main cause of obesity is an incorrect lifestyle, expressed in inactivity, poor nutrition and being in a constant stressful situation. If there is a whole range of causes that contribute to obesity, it also becomes obvious that the prevention and treatment of obesity is possible only with comprehensive methods, including eliminating a stressful situation, training on the development of stress resistance, developing an individual diet, as well as a daily routine with the constant condition of including healthy physical activity.

Some situations undoubtedly require drug treatment, but they are mainly associated with disruption of the endocrine system, as well as hormonal disorders.

On the pages of the Internet you can find information that there are other Days to Combat Obesity, celebrated on May 25 and November 26, but today became the World Day, since it was proclaimed by the World Health Organization.

Traditionally, on this day, healthcare institutions around the world organize preventive events: lectures, seminars, distribution of visual information. Often, issues related to the fight against obesity become the topic of television programs.

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