World Obesity Day: The root cause of obesity is much deeper than you think
JOBURG – World Obesity Day aims to stop stereotypes surrounding obesity by having discussions and doing activities that would lead to a healthier lifestyle.
The rate of obesity is growing – 45 years ago obesity was a rarity. Fast forward to today, 30 per cent of South African girls are overweight or obese, according to the Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa.
Professor Pamela Naidoo, CEO of the Heart And Stroke Foundation said that medical science now recognises obesity as a disease condition which can lead to other diseases such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and joint disease.
Worldobesityday.org, a coalition of global obesity organisations, explained, “People with obesity are constantly shamed and blamed for their disease. This is because many people do not understand that obesity is a chronic disease. They see it as a simple lack of willpower, laziness, or a refusal to ‘eat less and move more.”
The roots of obesity run deep, and the societal impacts deeper still.
This #WorldObesityDay organisations around the world are joining to break the cycle of shame and blame.
Become a force for change on the 4th March and get involved: https://t.co/hEVPyNhs7F. pic.twitter.com/SabPmx1Riy
— World Obesity (@WorldObesity) February 17, 2020
World Obesity Day intends to break the stereotypes and stigma surrounding obesity by educating and having an open conversation on the issue.
Naidoo explained that we live in an obesogenic environment, meaning we have accessibility to unhealthy foods more easily than ever. Healthy food is more expensive than junk food and the constant of ordering out food rather than cooking at home.
Naidoo added, “Understanding your environment and the causes of obesity can help us to adapt and make lifestyle changes despite these challenges that we face. We encourage people to seek out opportunities to live healthier, increase activity levels and eat better.”
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