
The purpose of this study was to find out the extent of childhood obesity currently internationally, and to provide a tool to help prevent future childhood obesity. The study focused on two main points of energy balance: the relationship between intake and expenditure of calories.
A number of experts looked at the drop in the populations’ physical activity and the fact that obesity has increased. In the past, experts focused on amount of food consumed which was linked to increased body weight, but if you exercise you are likely to regulate the amount of food you eat. However, this does not work the other way round.
Unlike previous generations, we no longer have to hunt or farm in order to eat. We currently live in a society that doesn’t have to move in order to obtain food or even have to move from one place to another. This was reiterated by The World Health Organization who estimates that 63% of adults are not reaching the minimum recommended levels of physical activity, and only 20% of 11 year old girls and 30% of 11 year old boys are reporting that they engage in at least one hour of daily vigorous physical activity and the others are not! Therefore, as our eating habits have changed, we no longer need to consume as many calories because we are not as active. Robin Shook, a US researcher states, "Food intake is complemented by energy expenditure, and energy that is not expended is transformed into accumulated energy" – which is stored as fat.
In 46 countries in the European region, over 50% of the population is overweight and over 20% of the population is obese .According to these figures, global obesity has almost doubled since 1980, while the International Diabetes Federation estimates that by the year 2035, the number of diabetic adults in Europe will have risen to 68.9 million, Really shocking findings, especially as Nine out of Ten cases of Diabetes could be prevented by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and getting the right balance between calorie intake and consumption.
Small changes like choosing low calorie meals or even better, cooking healthier, homemade meals with better portion control can make a big difference long term in maintaining weight. This together with exercise can also help to prevent Diabetes, which could well bankrupt the NHS if it continues to escalate at the rate it is doing so now.
Surely we must all take responsibility and stop blaming everyone else. We need to support those that need help and those that need help must seek this advice in return.
Sadly the NHS and most diets just focus on the food and not the mental and emotional health of the people wanting to lose weight. Being a nutritionist I have realised that the best diet in the world offers no help to a patient in the long term unless their mind set is aligned with their goals. Hence my subsequent qualifications as a Master in NLP and Hypnotherapy have really helped all my clients reach their goals much easier and more effectively than in the past.
If you would like to chat about how I can help you please contact me on bodybalance121@aol.com