Obesity in America is a growing problem. Literally. A survey in 2015 showed obesity rates exceeded 35 percent in four states, 30 percent in 25 states and are above 20 percent in all states.
In 1985, no state had an adult obesity rate higher than 15 percent; in 1991, no state was over 20 percent; in 2000, no state was over 25 percent; and, in 2006, only Mississippi and West Virginia were above 31 percent.
Obesity isn’t just something that happens later in life. The NIH states that roughly 33.2% of youth ages 6-19 are considered overweight, and 18.2% are considered obese.
And now that you’ve heard these statistics, I bet that you are extremely motivated to do your part to help, right?
Not to offend, but I’m guessing I’m wrong. The fact is, whether we are part of these statistics or not, we do know of them and do nothing.
It’s a common, if simplified, mentality that obesity is a result of poor personal health choices. What if that weren’t the case?
Recent studies have proven that obesity could be a result of insulin resistance in the brain. Furthermore, maternal over nutrition, leading to fetal hyperinsulinemia can predispose kids to metabolic syndrome and obesity.
So is it really their fault?
Regardless, one thing is clear: being extremely obese or overweight is not healthy. I don’t care how someone looks; the importance of losing weight should be emphasized as a necessity to prevent the slew of health problems that obesity can cause.
The problem is we keep telling individuals they need to go on a “diet.”
I hate that word. It’s stupid, really, because your diet is what you eat, so whatever you put in your mouth– IS your diet.
Besides, the first thing to people’s minds when they hear the word diet is crash diets: things like Atkins, paleo, Nutrisystem.
I’m not saying that these “diets” don’t work, or have their benefits, but for most people, they are expensive, unappealing, and not practical long term.
The problem isn’t that obese individuals don’t want to lose weight. They don’t want to go on a diet.
If you tell me you want to put me on a diet, I think:
- DO eat less food
- DON’T eat after 5 pm
- DO eat salad and vegetables (and all other healthy disgusting things)
- DON’T eat sweets. Or bread. Carbs=BAD!
- I hate my life.
I hear the term diet and it becomes a list of dos, don’ts, and unhappiness.
Fad diets can work short term.They might make you look good in your wedding dress for a day, but unless you adopt a healthy lifestyle after that, it’s not going to last.
And there it is: lifestyle.
This is where the real changes are made. It’s not a diet, it’s a lifestyle change. It’s incredible the effect that this different approach can have.
You tell me that I need to adopt a healthier lifestyle, and I’ll generally agree with you. I don’t get defensive, because it makes sense.
With the pressing issue of the rise of obesity in the U.S. paralleled by the comorbidities associated with it, this is an important emphasis.
If you are obese, overweight, really anyone who wants to avoid future health problems, you don’t need to diet: you need to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Not because people tell you to, not because of the way you look, but because it’s good for you.
A healthy lifestyle shouldn’t be intimidating because it’s functional. It’s not “I’m starting my diet on Monday.” It is a string of conscious decisions to be healthy.
What does that look like? If someone’s eating out or eating fast food 5 times a week, it’s likely not so appealing to tell them to quit cold turkey. Start small. This week, go out 4 times. Next week, 3 times.
If something is going to become a lifestyle, you want to enjoy it, right? If you hate salad, don’t eat salad. Eat steak, eat bread, eat potatoes. Eat them while making healthy choices. Lean steak, wheat bread, sweet potatoes. Maybe not for every meal, but a treat on a Friday night.
Recognition that this isn’t an all or nothing situation is important. You can have ice cream, eat candy, drink wine. Maybe once a week, maybe three times a week. Either way, if you’re used to doing these things every night or even multiple times a day, you’re still making healthier choices than you were and not giving up something that you loe or brings you joy.
And this is where I leave you. We live in a day and age of instant gratification; hence why fad diets are so popular. Of course, if you starve yourself, you’re going to slim down more quickly. But when it comes to health, the easy way or the quickest way usually isn’t your best bet. I reiterate, obesity or being overweight is not a problem of vanity, but a problem of health. It’s important to maintain a proper weight, not so we can all look good in a bikini, but so we can avoid things like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, insulin resistance. We all should try and pursue these lifestyle changes so we can have a happier, healthier life and enjoy it too.
