Obesity has reached epidemic proportions throughout the whole world.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of obese people continues to rise.

Overall, about 13% of the world’s adult population (11% of men and 15% of women) were obese in 2016.

The worldwide prevalence of obesity nearly tripled between 1975 and 2016.

Half of all adults in South Africa (50%) are either obese or overweight: 26% are obese (41% among women, 11% among men) and an additional 24% are overweight (27% among women, 23% among men).

Obesity Is On The Rise

In accordance with WHO recommendations, the Anti-Obesity Plan of South Africa aims to combat non-communicable diseases, reduce obesity among children, and encourage healthy living by 2027.

However, current data suggests that the situation is getting worse.

Due to rising rates of childhood obesity, life expectancy for the average person could decrease by two to five years over the next few decades unless major efforts are made to slow down the rising rates of obesity.

What’s more, obesity is a risk factor for heart disease and other serious health complications:

•   Obesity is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Having these disorders at the same time is a condition called metabolic syndrome, which can lead to an increased risk for heart disease and kidney disease. 

•   High blood pressure, a risk factor for heart disease, is twice as common in obese adults than in those who are at a healthy weight. 

•   Obesity can also lead to arthritis, which is caused by stress on your joints.

A Likely Trigger For Heart Disease

Obesity, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure are a common grouping of risk factors for people with heart disease.

Managing all these risk factors will help reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.

What You Can Do Today

Being overweight and obesity together represent the number two preventable cause of death globally after smoking.

There are many things you can do to get your weight under control and to help manage your risk for heart disease:

•   Develop a diet and exercise plan that you feel is realistic and that you can maintain.

•   Talk to your doctor about medicines that may help control your risk factors for heart disease. If you are prescribed medicines, take them exactly as directed and for as long as your doctor recommends.

•   Resolve to make this year a healthier one-set a weight-loss goal and stick with it.

One is too much o a small number to achieve greatness. We are here to make your weight loss journey pain-free. Book Online to make a consultation with our dependable dietician. Click here to join our online forum where we share hot tips to help you get your health back.