| Obesity: Is It Preventable?
In general, there are two types of obesity – the kind that is caused by pre-existing medical conditions affecting the body’s fat-burning ability or metabolism, and the one that is lifestyle related and therefore preventable. While medical obesity is more complex due to the underlying health problem, life-style-induced obesity is easier to prevent through a healthy diet and regular exercise, among others.
According to the National Cholesterol Education Program, calories from fat should be maintained at only 30% of total consumption. Also, experts recommend that instead of meticulously counting calories, individuals should monitor fat consumption. Simply put, it’s not the calories that make one obese – it’s the excessive saturated fats. From the total recommended amount of calories that people consume daily, only a third should be from saturated fats, the kind that’s mostly found in dairy products, meat, poultry and the like. The best way to keep track of what foods are highly congested with these fats is to monitor one’s intake through a food journal.
Surprisingly, three healthy balanced meals a day is a better way to prevent obesity than mini-meals, crash diets or even fasting. Aside from a good diet, exercise should also be an importance because it helps create more muscle and burn more calories instead of fat. Regular exercise means regular and consistent calorie burning.
Finally, the best way to prevent obesity is to begin early in life. Childhood obesity is becoming more and more of a public health concern, especially because it is behind the growing number of adult obesity cases, as well as early deaths.
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