Article: Obesity, the epidemic of the 21st century
Obesity, the epidemic of the 21st century
Obesity is a chronic, complex and multifactorial disease that usually begins in childhood and adolescence, and is currently a major public health problem as it has significant social, economic and health consequences. It is of great concern in the case of children and young people, where the percentage of overweight and obesity is increasing.
Overweight and obesity are defined as "an abnormal or excessive accumulation of fat that poses a risk to health" (WHO).
Obesity is considered an eating disorder, in which an energy imbalance occurs where the calories ingested are greater than those expended. When this occurs during childhood, it is more complicated to resolve since children do not respond to diets in the same way as adults. The most important cause of childhood obesity is excessive intake of fats and sugars, due to the increase in the quantity and frequency with which meat and meat products are ingested at the expense of fish, the low intake of vegetables, fruits and, to a lesser extent, legumes, together with the excessive consumption of pastries and bagged snacks as well as sugary drinks and, ultimately, the increase in the caloric density of the diet.
An important fact to bear in mind is the high percentage of schoolchildren who skip breakfast, replacing it with an unhealthy lunch in which pastries and foods with a high content of saturated fat predominate. A good breakfast allows them to arrive at lunch less hungry, which implies a lower consumption of food during this last meal. There is therefore a direct relationship between not eating breakfast and childhood obesity.
Following this nutritional profile, a traditional Mediterranean diet would be very suitable as it is generally high in vegetables, high-fibre cereals, legumes, fish and plant sources of unsaturated fats - particularly olive oil and nuts - as well as being low in red meat and high-fat dairy products.
And we cannot forget that sporting activity, understood as a game or recreational activity that involves movement, significantly improves cardiovascular functions and contributes to the proper maturation of the musculoskeletal system and its psychomotor skills.
Finally, remember how important sleep is: how a lack of sleep influences obesity. Previous medical research has demonstrated the direct relationship between lack of sleep and obesity and some associated diseases such as diabetes.
