8 Simple things you can do to prevent being overweight
Being overweight is having a body fat that is higher than that which is considered normal and healthy.
Overweight and obesity both refer to excess body fat and are often used interchangeably, but they however do not refer to the same thing.
Overweight is a condition where a person’s body fat is 10-20% higher than it should be, or a body mass index (BMI) of 25 to 30.
On the other hand, obesity is a condition where a person’s body fat is 20% or higher than it should be, or a BMI of 30 and above.
An overweight person has a greater risk of :
👉 Chronic diseases like diabetes, stroke, heart failure and high blood pressure.
👉 Body image, self-esteem and self-worth problem.
👉 Risk of depression due to social stigma and isolation.
👉 Being overweight is also a risk factor for obesity. In other words, an overweight person is more likely to become obese.
Making simple lifestyle changes can make a huge difference in your health and ensure that you do not go on to being obese if you are already overweight.
- Include fruits and vegetables in your daily menu
- Substitute soft drinks and energy drinks for healthier alternatives like yoghurt, soya milk and ginger drink
- Take your beverages and cereals without adding extra sugar. These already contain a lot of sugar; much more than you should consume daily
- Reduce your intake of processed foods like white bread, pastries, biscuits, and other packaged foods
- Reduce the amount of sugar you add to your foods. Foods like pap, yam, beans and porridge can be enjoyed without added sugar
- Stop eating when you are satisfied. Do not eat until you are so filled-up and you feel uncomfortable in your stomach
- Be more physically active. Look for ways you can sit less and move more.
- Get enough sleep daily.
Credit: Dr O.
HLF🌀
