The numbers of obesity in Brazil have grown significantly in all age groups. Among adults, more than 100 million are overweight, with a higher prevalence in females (62.6%).
Another alarming fact is that every three children and adolescents between 5 and 19 years old is overweight – 11% are obese and 17.2% are overweight.
The transformations, over the decades, in the globalized world, have changed the habits and lifestyle of the population. Many children and adolescents exchanged outdoor games for electronic games and industrialized foods became increasingly accessible, taking the place of healthy foods. In addition, genetics, hormones, psychological factors, certain medications and neurological complications – factors that are not under our control – can lead to weight gain. Up to 70% of the causes of obesity can be related to genetics, family history and ethnicity.
Far beyond aesthetic standards, the obesity is a chronic disease, defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the abnormal or excessive accumulation of fat in the body. Its main cause is the energy disproportion between calories consumed and calories expended. This process causes a general imbalance in the body, which can trigger or worsen many other diseases such as: type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases (hypertension, stroke, congestive heart failure and pulmonary embolism), sleep apnea, liver and circulation problems. blood pressure and even some types of cancer.
As it is a multifactorial disease, which encompasses genetic, metabolic, social and psychological factors, obesity requires multidisciplinary, individualized and long-term treatment.
The good news is that all types of obesity: mild, moderate and severe – have treatment, which must be continuous, as in the case of other chronic diseases.
The search for a health professional is essential to start the treatment, which should be personalized, as each person has a different history. In some cases, medication may be recommended and, in others, even surgery.
To help with information on the subject, the Saúde Não Se Pesa portal was created. The movement was launched in 2016 by Novo Nordisk, a global health company that aims to improve the quality of life for people with obesity.
The site has content on treatments and diagnosis, as well as testimonials from people with obesity and a window that opens a link to help in the search for a specialist doctor.
Everyone should seek to improve the quality of life, through physical, mental and social well-being. The only standard that matters is the standard of health.
Source: CNN Brasil
