Obesity: how to prevent and combat the chronic condition

IBGE data shows that over 25% of the Brazilian adult population is obese. Understanding the risks and how to prevent them

On 11 October the National Day for the Prevention of Obesity, a disease considered an epidemic in Brazil. According to the IBGE, 26.8% of the Brazilian population over 20 suffer from the problem (2020 data). The percentage of overweight people in the population aged 20 and over is 61.7%.

“Obesity is a chronic disease characterized by excessive accumulation of body fat. An individual defines himself as obese when he has a body mass index (BMI) greater than 30. The main causes of this problem are an unbalanced diet, mainly rich in sugar and fat, and a sedentary lifestyle, “explains Dr. Marcella Garcez., Nutritionist and professor at the Brazilian Association of Nutrology (ABRAN).

Main risks of obesity

According to the expert, obesity is a risk factor for increased cholesterol and for the emergence of cardiovascular disease. This is because excess fat promotes the accumulation of cholesterol plaques in the coronary arteries responsible for irrigating the heart, increasing the predisposition to conditions such as hypertension, heart attack, heart failure and thromboembolism.

“Being overweight can also overload the kidneys, which, coupled with the increase in blood pressure, causes the organ to progressively lose its functions, failing to filter the blood and produce hormones. chronic kidney disease“, warns the doctor.

THE type 2 diabetes is another disease often associated with obesity, as the abuse of sugar and carbohydrates, in addition to promoting weight gain, makes the body resistant to insulin, which causes the condition.

Furthermore non-alcoholic fatty liver disease It is another disease commonly seen in obese people. It is characterized by the accumulation of fat in the liver cells, which can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, steatohepatitis, fibrosis and liver cirrhosis.

“Obese people are also more likely to develop cancersince the accumulation of fat stimulates the production of hormones involved in the development of cancer cells “, adds the nutritionist.

Prevention

Due to the many risks caused by obesity, it is essential to invest in treatments that help prevent and fight the problem, as well as maintain good health. The main way is to adopt a healthy and balanced diet, this is the best method to avoid excessive weight gain. “Avoid consuming ‘junk foods’ and industrialized foods rich in salt, sugar and fat. Instead, bet on your intake of fruits, vegetables, grains, whole foods and lean meats,” advises Dr. Marcella.

“Also, including physical activities routine is another good way to ward off the various health problems that being overweight can cause. The ideal is to practice physical exercises at least three times a week, preferably walking, running, swimming and cycling, which are among the simplest and most effective practices for weight control “, adds the doctor.

But, if you already suffer from obesity, the ideal is consult a nutritionist. “Avoid at all costs the miraculous recipes for weight loss and the extremely restrictive diets found on the internet. This is because, in addition to not being really effective in losing weight, these drastic changes in eating habits, such as restriction of food groups and of calories and meals, can present health risks if performed without medical supervision “, warns the specialist.

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Source: Terra

Benjamin

Benjamin Smith is a fashion journalist and author at Gossipify, known for his coverage of the latest fashion trends and industry insights. He writes about clothing, shoes, accessories, and runway shows, providing in-depth analysis and unique perspectives. He’s respected for his ability to spot emerging designers and trends, and for providing practical fashion advice to readers.