#makeachange
More than 65% of the population is carrying extra weight. Overweight people commonly think they are a healthy weight and those who are overweight may acknowledge the fact, but not realise they are actually obese.
Being overweight or obese is linked to a wide range of health problems, by reducing your weight by 5-10% can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease,stroke, type 2 diabetes and some cancers1
One of the many outcomes of obesity is the damage to mental health. Not only do obese people have to live and cope in a society that considers fat shaming acceptable, but individuals also have to deal with the psychological problems that may have been part of the reason they became obese in the first place.
Individuals may have an awareness that they are overweight, but they are probably unaware of how ‘small’ obese is, as is demonstrated below. Those who are ‘overweight’ (i.e. not yet obese) are also more likely to continue the spiral and become obese over time.
If we don’t even realise what an unhealthy weight is, then how can anyone ever help themselves? Doctors, health practitioners and consultants all need to make it clear to patients when their weight is an issue. They also need to provide the correct support tools – including psychological aid for obese patients. As a society we need to relearn what obesity looks like in the flesh, so that we can recognise the danger that lies ahead.
Get started.
Reference
- British Nutrition Foundation (2017)