According to key facts from the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2022, 1 in 8 people worldwide were living with obesity. Adult obesity has more than doubled since 1990, while adolescent obesity has quadrupled. In the same year, 2.5 billion adults (aged 18 and older) were classified as overweight, with 890 million living with obesity. Additionally, 43% of adults aged 18 years and over were overweight, and 16% were living with obesity. The prevalence of obesity also extended to younger populations, with 37 million children under the age of 5 and over 390 million children and adolescents aged 5–19 years being overweight, including 160 million living with obesity.

Also, according to Forbes Health, based on data collected between 2017 and 2020, 41.9% of adults in the U.S. have obesity. Due to the health consequences, it is no surprise that adults with obesity spend an average of $1,861 more a year on medical costs than someone who doesn’t have obesity. People with severe obesity spend an average of $3,097 more a year. Diseases such as diabetes and hypertension are associated with obesity, and these conditions triple mortality rates. To reduce this risk, it is recommended to engage in 150 minutes of physical activity per week and maintain healthy lifestyle habits.

How to Combat Obesity and Overweight

1. Preventing obesity should begin in childhood, with parents understanding the importance of proper nutrition. Nutrition is not about eating until full or overloading on food quantity to feel well-fed. Instead, it involves a balanced intake of various nutrient groups, tailored to specific needs with specific recommendations.
   
   
2. Consult with your healthcare provider to determine the best way to distribute food groups in each of your meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks). In the nutrition path, your healthcare provider may consider different variables for this purpose such as whether the patient is active or sedentary, gastronomic preferences, and any pre-existing conditions that may be interrupting weight loss or contributing to increased body fat.
   
   
3. Adopting healthier eating habits is essential for overcoming obesity. While rapid weight loss may occur initially, consistent long-term weight loss is considered the safest way to lose weight and the best way to maintain it permanently. Avoid drastic and unrealistic diets, such as “crash” diets, as they are unlikely to help maintain weight loss in the long term.
   
   
4. Diet and exercise aren’t the only factors that contribute to reducing overweight and obesity. There are other contributing considerations, the good news is that the vast majority depend on other lifestyle  choices.For instance, consider how well and how much you sleep, your smoking and alcohol consumption, and how you manage your emotions, including stress, anxiety, fear, and sadness, among other factors.

Have you been struggling with obesity or being overweight? At Aesthetic & Wellness Clinic, we offer a comprehensive 7-step weight loss program. By successfully following this program, you will not only lose weight but also be able to maintain it over time. You will receive personalized support and guidance while witnessing the achievement of positive results.

References

Forbes. (2024, January 10). Obesity Statistics: Worldwide Trends and Risk Factors. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/health/weight-loss/obesity-statistics/#footnote_12

World Health Organization. (2024, March 1). Obesity and overweight. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight