Obesity fighting: global strategies

Obesity fighting: global strategies

1. Understanding obesity: multifaceted problem

Obesity, defined as an abnormal or excessive accumulation of fat, which represents a risk to health, has turned into a global epidemic. The body mass index (BMI) is used to classify people as having insufficient weight, normal weight, overweight or obesity. BMI is calculated by dividing a person’s weight in kilograms by a square of its growth in meters (kg/m²). BMI ≥ 30 is classified as obesity. However, BMI has restrictions, since it does not take into account the distribution of fat, muscle mass and ethnic differences. Other measurements, such as the waist circumference and the ratio of the waist and hips, can provide additional information about health risk.

Obesity is a complex state, which is affected by the interaction of genetic, behavioral and environmental factors. A genetic predisposition can affect metabolism, appetite and distribution of fat. However, genetics is not a determining factor; The development of obesity is largely affected by the choice of lifestyle and the environment.

Socio-economic factors play a significant role in the prevalence of obesity. Products with a high degree of processing, often with a high content of sugar, fat and salt, are often more affordable and cheaper than healthy food. In addition, people with low socio-economic status may have limited access to opportunities for physical activity and education in the field of healthcare.

Obesity is associated with numerous health problems, including:

• Cardiovascular diseases: Obesity increases the risk of hypertension, high cholesterol and heart failure.
• Type 2 diabetes: Obesity is the main risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes, a state characterized by insulin resistance and a high blood sugar.
• Some types of cancer: Obesity is associated with an increased risk of developing various types of cancer, including breast cancer, colon, endometrium and kidneys.
• Diseases of the musculoskeletal system: Excess weight can provide a load on the joints, which leads to osteoarthritis and other diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
• Apnee in a dream: Obesity can lead to apnea in a dream, a state characterized by breathing stop during sleep.
• Liver diseases: Obesity can lead to non -alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAZBP), which can progress to cirrhosis of the liver and liver failure.
• Psychological problems: Obesity can lead to depression, anxiety and low self -esteem.

2. Change in behavior: cornerstone of strategy for the fight against obesity

Changing behavior is a fundamental aspect of strategies for the fight against obesity. It includes making stable changes to food habits and the level of physical activity. Effective strategies for changes in behavior require a multilateral approach taking into account individual needs and preferences.

• Self -control: Self -control includes tracking food consumption, physical activity and weight. Keeping a food diary can help people realize their food habits and identify areas in which improvements can be made. Fitness trackers and applications can track the level of physical activity and stimulate people to achieve their goals.
• Setting goals: The setting of realistic and achievable goals is crucial for success. Instead of striving for dramatic weight loss in the short term, people should focus on making gradual changes in their lifestyle. For example, they can set a goal daily to drink eight glasses of water or walk for 30 minutes of most days of the week.
• Control of incentives: Control of incentives includes environmental changes in order to reduce the effects of factors that cause unhealthy behavior. For example, this may include removing unhealthy food from home, planning a healthy meals in advance and finding new routes in order to avoid fast food restaurants.
• Cognitive restructuring: Cognitive restructuring includes the identification and change of negative thoughts and beliefs that contribute to unhealthy behavior. For example, people can learn how to dispute such thoughts as “I can never lose weight” or “I need to eat to feel good.”
• Stress management: Stress can lead to overeating and other unhealthy types of behavior. Stress management techniques, such as meditation, yoga or conducting time in nature, can help people cope with stress without food.
• Social support: Social support from the family, friends or support groups can increase motivation and help people adhere to their goals to reduce weight.

3. Dietary interventions: Nutrition for health

Dietary interventions play a decisive role in the fight against obesity. The key principle is to create a calorie deficit, consuming less calories than it is spent. However, a simple contraction of calories is not enough; It is important to focus on the use of nutrients and avoid products with a high degree of processing.

• Mediterranean diet: The Mediterranean diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and olive oil. It also includes a moderate amount of fish and poultry, as well as a small amount of red meat. Studies have shown that the Mediterranean diet can help lose weight, improve heart health and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.
• Diet Dash (dietary approaches to the stop of hypertension): Dash diet is designed to reduce blood pressure. It is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low -fat dairy products. It also includes a limited amount of saturated fats, cholesterol and sodium. Dash diet can help lose weight and improve heart health.
• Plant diets: Plant diets, such as a vegetarian and vegan diet, can be effective for weight loss. These diets usually contain few calories and a lot of fiber, which can help people feel full.
• Low carbohydrates low diets: A low carbohydrate diet, such as a ketogenic diet, limit the consumption of carbohydrates and encourage fat consumption. These diets can lead to rapid weight loss, but they can be difficult to maintain in the long run. It is important to consult a doctor or a registered nutritionist before the start of a low carbohydrate diet.
• Interval fasting: Interval fasting involves switching between periods of food and starvation. There are various methods of interval starvation, such as the 16/8 method (starvation for 16 hours and food for 8 hours) and diet 5: 2 (regular power for five days a week and limiting calories up to 500-600 for two days). Interval fasting can help lose weight and improve metabolic health.
• Conscious nutrition: Conscious nutrition involves paying attention to the sensations of hunger and satiety, as well as the taste and texture of food. This can help people eat less and better enjoy their food.

4. Physical activity: Health Movement

Regular physical activity is necessary to maintain a healthy weight and improve the overall state of health. Physical activity helps to burn calories, increase muscle mass and improve metabolism.

• Aerobic exercises: Aerobic exercises, such as walking, running, swimming and cycling, burn calories and improve heart health. At least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of intensive aerobic activity per week are recommended.
• Power training: Power training helps to increase muscle mass, which can increase metabolism and facilitate weight maintenance. It is recommended to train all the main muscle groups at least twice a week.
• Flexibility exercises: Flexibility exercises, such as stretching and yoga, can improve the range of movements and reduce the risk of injuries.
• Everyday activity: Making small changes to everyday activity, such as climbing the stairs instead of an elevator or walking on foot or bicycle instead of driving, can eventually lead to significant advantages.

5. Pharmacotherapy: drug treatment of obesity

Pharmacotherapy can be a treatment option for obesity people who could not lose weight by changing lifestyle. Obesity medicines act, suppressing appetite, blocking the absorption of fat or increasing the feeling of satiety.

• Orlistat (Xenical, Alli): Orlistat is a drug that is released without a prescription that blocks the absorption of fat in the intestines. It can help lose weight, but can also cause side effects, such as gases, liquid stools and fecal incontinence.
• Fentermine-Topiramate (Qsymia): Topiramate fentermine is a combined drug that suppresses appetite and increases the feeling of satiety. It can lead to significant weight loss, but can also cause side effects, such as insomnia, dry mouth and constipation.
• Naltrexon-Bupropion (Contrave): Naltrexone -Bupropion is a combined drug that affects the brain to reduce appetite and traction to food. It can help lose weight, but can also cause side effects, such as nausea, headache and dizziness.
• Luraglutide (saxenda): Liglutide is an injection drug imitating the GLP -1 hormone, which helps to regulate the appetite and blood sugar. It can lead to significant weight loss, but can also cause side effects, such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
• Semaglutid (Wegovy): Semaglutide is an injection drug that also imitates the GLP -1 hormone, but with a longer period of action than luraglutide. He showed promising results in clinical trials and can lead to greater weight loss than other medicines for obesity.

It is important to note that obesity medications should be used only under the supervision of a doctor and in combination with a change in lifestyle.

6. Bariatric surgery: surgical treatment of obesity

Bariatric surgery, also known as weight loss surgery, is a treatment option for people with severe obesity that could not lose weight with other methods. Bariatric operations act, limiting the amount of food that can fit in the stomach, or reducing the absorption of calories and nutrients.

• Sleeping gastroctomy: Sleeping gastroctomy involves the removal of most of the stomach, resulting in a small sleeve stomach. This reduces the amount of food that can fit in the stomach, and reduces the production of gelin hormone, which stimulates appetite.
• Gastric shunting by ru: Gastric shunting by RU involves the creation of a small gastric bag and its attachment directly to the small intestine. This bypasses most of the stomach and duodenum, which reduces the absorption of calories and nutrients.
• Gastric bandage: The gastric bandage involves the placement of silicone tape around the upper part of the stomach to create a small bag. This limits the amount of food that can fit in the stomach, and makes people feel faster.
• Biliopancreatic shunting with duodenal switching (BPD/DS): BPD/DS is a more complex bariatric surgery that combines a sleeve gastroctomy with a shunting of the small intestine. This leads to significant weight loss, but is also associated with a higher risk of complications.

Bariatric surgery can be an effective way to lose weight and improve health, but this is a serious operation associated with risks and complications. It is important to carefully consider the advantages and risks of bariatric surgery with a qualified surgeon.

7. Public strategies: creating a favorable environment

In addition to individual interventions, public strategies play a decisive role in the fight against obesity. These strategies are aimed at creating a favorable environment that contributes to a healthy lifestyle.

• Sweet drink taxation: Taxation of sweet drinks is a strategy that is aimed at reducing consumption of unhealthy drinks by raising their price. Studies have shown that sweet drink taxes can lead to a decrease in their consumption and improve health.
• Food marking: Marking food provides consumers with information about the nutritional value of the products that they buy. This can help people make a more conscious choice in relation to their food.
• Advertising regulation: The regulation of advertising of unhealthy food, especially intended for children, can reduce the effect of marketing, which contributes to unhealthy nutrition.
• Improving access to healthy foods: Improving access to healthy food in low -income areas can help reduce the inequality in the field of healthcare and contribute to healthy nutrition. This may include support for farm markets, public gardens and grocery stores selling fresh products.
• Creating available and safe opportunities for physical activity: The creation of affordable and safe opportunities for physical activity, such as parks, paths and bicycle paths, can encourage people to be more active.
• School food programs: School nutrition programs that provide students with healthy food and education in the field of nutrition can improve their food habits and reduce the risk of obesity.
• Campaign to increase public awareness: Campances to increase public awareness can increase awareness of obesity and its consequences for health and contribute to a healthy lifestyle.

8. Address treatment of specific population groups

Obesity disproportionately affects certain groups of the population, such as ethnic minorities, people with low socio-economic status and people with disabilities. It is important to develop targeted strategies taking into account the unique needs and problems of these groups.

• Cultural and comprehensive interventions: Cultural and comprehensive interventions are adapted to specific cultural values, beliefs and practices of the target group. This can increase the effectiveness of the intervention and make it more acceptable for the target group.
• Interventions oriented to the family: Interventions oriented to the family involve family members in efforts to reduce weight. This can be especially effective for children and adolescents with obesity.
• Interventions oriented to the community: Interventions oriented to the community use the resources and networks of the community to promote a healthy lifestyle. This may include partnership with local organizations, churches and business.
• Interventions aimed at eliminating socio-economic determinants of health: Interventions aimed at eliminating socio-economic determinants of health, such as poverty, lack of education and lack of access to healthcare, can help reduce the prevalence of obesity in low-income areas.

9. The role of technology in the fight against obesity

Technologies play an increasingly important role in the fight against obesity. Mobile applications, wearable devices and telemedicine can help people monitor their progress, receive support and gain access to expert advice.

• Mobile applications: Mobile applications can help people track food consumption, physical activity and weight. They can also provide educational resources, power plans and community support.
• Wearable devices: Wearable devices, such as fitness trackers and smart watches, can track the level of physical activity, sleep and heart rate. They can motivate people to be more active and provide them with feedback about their progress.
• Telemedicine: Telemedicine allows people to receive consultations on health and support from medical suppliers remotely. This can be especially useful for people living in rural areas or experiencing difficulties with attending personal meetings.
• Virtual reality (VR): Virtual reality can be used to create an immersive and interactive environment, which can help people change their food habits and increase physical activity. For example, VR can be used to simulate shopping experience in a grocery store and choosing a healthy food or to create a virtual environment for sports.

10. The role of research and innovation

Constant research and innovation are necessary for the development of new and more effective strategies for the fighting of obesity. This includes studies of genetic, behavioral and environmental factors affecting obesity, as well as the development of new drugs, devices and interventions.

• Genetic research: Genetic studies can help identify genes that increase the risk of obesity. This can lead to the development of targeted interventions aimed at these genes.
• Behavioral research: Behavioral research can help understand how people make decisions on nutrition and physical activity. This can lead to the development of more effective behavior change strategies.
• Clinical trials: Clinical tests are necessary to assess the safety and effectiveness of new drugs, devices and interventions.
• Public studies: Public studies can help determine the most effective strategies to promote a healthy lifestyle in communities.
• Technological innovation: Technological innovations can lead to the development of new tools and platforms to support people in their efforts to reduce weight.

11. Monitoring and evaluation: Measurement of success and improvement of strategies

Monitoring and evaluation are necessary to measure the success of strategies for the fight against obesity and identify areas in which improvements can be made. This includes tracking the prevalence of obesity, health indicators associated with obesity, and the effectiveness of various interventions.

• Epidemiological supervision: Epidemiological supervision involves collecting data on the prevalence of obesity and related health problems. This can help identify trends and patterns, as well as evaluate the influence of various interventions.
• Program rating: Evaluation of programs involves an assessment of the effectiveness of various interventions in terms of achieving the goals. This can help determine the most effective strategies and identify areas in which improvements can be made.
• Analysis of costs and benefits: Analysis of costs and benefits involves comparing the costs and benefits of various interventions. This can help persons who make decisions determine the most economically effective strategies.
• Data exchange: Data exchange between organizations and institutions can help improve monitoring and evaluating obesity strategies.

12. Sustainability: long -term solutions to combat obesity

The fight against obesity requires a stable approach, which takes into account the long -term consequences for health, environment and society. This includes the promotion of healthy nutrition and physical activity, the creation of a favorable environment and the solution of socio-economic determinants of health.

• Promoting sustainable production and food consumption: Promoting sustainable production and food consumption can help improve people’s health and protect the environment. This may include supporting local farmers, reduction in food waste and encouraging plant foods.
• Creation of pedestrian and bicycle cities: The creation of pedestrian and bicycle cities can encourage physical activity and reduce dependence on cars. This can improve people’s health and reduce air pollution.
• Solution of socio-economic determinants of health: The solution of socio-economic determinants of health, such as poverty, lack of education and lack of access to healthcare, can help reduce the prevalence of obesity and improve people’s health in low-income areas.
• Investing in education and prevention: Investing in education and prevention is the key to preventing obesity and improving human health in the long run. This may include promoting healthy diet and physical activity in schools, at workplaces and in communities.

The implementation of these global strategies requires the joint efforts of governments, healthcare organizations, researchers, private sector and individuals. By accepting a multilateral approach and making stable changes to the lifestyle, you can effectively fight obesity and improve health and well -being around the world.