“Over 167million People to Become Unhealthy by 2025” …As Overweight and Obesity Cases Soar

By 2025, about 167 million people are expected to become less healthy because they are overweight or obese. This estimation was announced by the World Health Organization (WHO) during this year's World Obesity Day celebration on the theme "Accelerating Action to Stop Obesity."

Globally, there are more than 1 billion people who are obese. Out of this figure, about 650 million are adults, 340 million are adolescents, and 39 million are children. The number increases daily.

The WHO has urged countries to do more to reverse this predictable and preventable health crisis. Obesity cases have nearly tripled since 1975. Interestingly, most of the world's population lives in countries where being overweight and obese kills more people than underweight.

According to the WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros, obesity is a disease impacting most body systems, affecting the heart, liver, kidneys, joints, and reproductive system.

In his message at the 2022 World Obesity Day celebrations, Dr. Tedros said obesity leads to non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension and stroke, various forms of cancer, and mental health issues. People with obesity are three times more likely to be hospitalized for COVID-19.

The WHO was optimistic that the key to preventing obesity is to act early, ideally even before a baby is conceived. Giving out good nutrition during pregnancy, exclusive breastfeeding until six months, and continued breastfeeding until two years and beyond is best for all infants and young children.

Furthermore, the World Health Organization called on countries to create a better food environment so everyone can access and afford a healthy diet. They must restrict the marketing of food and drinks to children, particularly those high in fats, sugar, and salt. Sugary drinks could be taxed.

Childhood obesity is associated with a higher chance of obesity, premature death, and disability in adulthood. But in addition to increased future risks, obese children experience breathing difficulties, increased risk of fractures, hypertension, early markers of cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance, and psychological effects.

It is believed that cities and towns must make space for safe walking, cycling, and recreation. In addition, schools must help households teach children healthy habits at the earliest stages of their lives.

The WHO is responding to the global obesity crisis on many fronts. They monitor global trends and prevalence and develop guidance addressing the prevention and treatment of overweight and obesity cases while providing implementation support and guidance for countries.

Following a request from Member States, the WHO secretariat is developing an acceleration action plan to stop obesity, tackle the epidemic in high-burden countries, and catalyze global action. The plan was expected to be discussed at the 76th World Health Assembly, which was held in May 2022.

Meanwhile, maintaining a healthy lifestyle for the over 1.9 billion adults who are obese or overweight might be difficult if they have busy and stressful life. Factors such as stress, unhealthy eating, dependence on devices, a sedentary lifestyle, and easy availability of fast food contribute to belly fat.

It is a known fact that one of the most stubborn fats found in the body is belly fat. It only takes a more sustainable and healthy routine to get rid of it. Making little changes in our lives can severely affect our overall weight and belly fat. An increase in belly fat can lead to lifestyle disorders such as diabetes, cardiac problems, and liver damage.

Research by Harvard Health Publishing has revealed that men's and women's bodies behave differently to belly fat. In men, belly fat leads to cardiovascular diseases, disease resistance, and high blood pressure. There is an 18 percent stronger chance of heart attack prediction in women than in men. It can also increase the risk of Type 2 diabetes and breast cancer in women.

Although the issue of losing belly fat is a common fitness goal, it can be achieved through exercises and lifestyle changes.

Some specialty pills, drinks, and supplements claim their products can lead to quick weight loss and eliminate stomach fat. However, there is no evidence-based scientific research to confirm that these products are safe or effective.

A person can lose weight and reduce fat through proven natural methods, including changing the diet and getting specific types of exercise.

Belly fat is a potentially harmful type that surrounds organs in the abdomen. Reducing the amount of abdominal fat can have significant health benefits for some people.

On the issue of how long it takes to burn fat, one must burn about 3,500 calories to lose 1 pound. Therefore, to lose 1 pound per week, one must eliminate 500 calories from their diet daily. At that pace, they could lose about 4 pounds a month.

When an individual increases their level of physical activity, this will help them burn more calories. Exercise also builds muscle mass which is heavier than fat. So even though an individual looks leaner, it might not show on the scale.

Everyone is different, and there are many variables in how much physical activity it takes to burn a calorie. The larger one is, the more calories they burn doing anything. Also, males have more muscle than females of the same size, which helps males burn more calories.

Globally, the fundamental cause of obesity and being overweight is an energy imbalance between calories consumed and calories expended.

It is usually linked to an increased intake of energy-dense foods high in fat and sugars, an increase in the 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 the development and lack of supportive policies in sectors such as health, agriculture, transport, urban planning, environment, food processing, distribution, marketing, and education.