WORLD OBESITY DAY

The topic for this year is "Changing Perspectives: Let's Talk About Obesity", a call to governments and world leaders to offer a platform and engage in eradicating the myths and misunderstandings about obesity.

World Obesity Day has been designated on 4th March, since 2020. Its goal is to raise awareness about being overweight and the complications it causes while promoting practical solutions to the world's growing obesity crisis organised by World Obesity Federation in collaboration with the Lancet Commission on Obesity officially related to the WHO.

Obesity is a complex disease involving an excessive amount of body fat. The issue of obesity extends beyond aesthetics. It is a medical condition that raises the risk of various illnesses and conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and certain cancers. Obesity is defined as a BMI of 30 or higher.

World Obesity Day was established in 2015 as an initiative by the World Obesity Federation with the goal of stimulating and supporting practical actions that will help people achieve and maintain a healthy weight and reverse the global obesity crisis. It was marked for the last time on October 11, and the new World Obesity Day date of March 4 began in 2020.

Obesity occurs when a person consumes more calories than they expend through regular daily activities and exercise, despite the fact that genetic, behavioural, metabolic, and hormonal factors also play a role in body weight. These extra calories are converted by your body into fat.

People with obesity may experience skin problems, shortness of breath, trouble sleeping, low self-esteem, excess body fat, particularly around the waist, pain, especially in the back and joints, etc. Some symptoms may increase the risk of developing certain diseases and disorders. In some cases, these may be life-threatening or even fatal.

People with obesity are more likely to develop a number of potentially serious health problems, including heart disease and strokes, type 2 diabetes, and risk of cancer of the uterus, cervix, endometrium, ovary, breast, colon, rectum, oesophagus, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, kidney and prostate, digestive problems, sleep apnea, osteoarthritis.

Exercise frequently and follow a healthy, low-calorie diet as the best treatment for obesity. To achieve this, you should follow a healthy, calorie-controlled diet as prescribed by your doctor or a weight loss management specialist, join a local weight loss group, engage in 150–300 minutes per week of fast walking, jogging, swimming, or tennis, eat slowly, and stay out of situations where you know you might be tempted to overeat. A trained healthcare professional can provide you with psychological support to help you change the way you view food and eating.