Obesity has become an epidemic health problem around the world. Millions of people in several countries are considered obese. There are several reasons for the rise in obesity, among them are lack of physical exercise, ease in purchasing “convenience foods,” rise in fast food consumption with higher saturated fat intake and the consumption of “processed foods.” In addition to that our busy lifestyles can often interfere with living a healthy lifestyle. All of these things lead to a relationship between obesity and illness.
Obesity and illness in adults has become a major problem. Some studies have shown that obesity is more of a problem among the urban poor because of their lack of education, less access to fresh fruits and vegetables, greater fat and sugar intake and unhealthy living conditions. Obesity is certainly not a disease of the poor and can affect anyone from any walk of life.
The relationship between obesity and illness in adults has been shown to exist in people with increased waistlines (fat around their bellies). The greater the fat around your midsection the greater the chance you will develop diabetes, coronary artery disease and high blood pressure. Obesity causes your bodily systems to work harder than they normally should and over time these systems will begin to “wear out” leading to illness and disease and eventually death.
Although there are many factors that can lead to becoming obese or keeping you obese if you already are, research has shown that the main dietary factor that leads to obesity is the increased intake of processed, fatty foods. The obesity factor is also influenced by increased consumption of fast food, sugar and snacks and less intake of vegetables and fruits.
