By Shawrna Sen
Obesity is one of the leading health concerns of many people. So, what is obesity? Obesity is when you eat more than you move, so that the energy in foods are stored as fat. Over time this can cause serious problems such as heart problems, high blood pressure, kidney failure, and diabetes. Obesity can negatively affect your life but most of us still have time to avoid this outcome.
Why is obesity such a big problem? Well, for one, obesity can increase the chance of cancer. YES, you heard that right. The correlation between obesity and cancer may seem unreal, but it is the truth. Obesity can cause cancer because the fat cells increase hormones and growth factor, which can make the cells produce more copies of themselves (mitosis) and this can result in a tumor.
So now let’s find solutions to it. What can you possibly do to reduce these health risks, and improve your life for the better? The following three rules can be a game-changer. #1: You should workout. This doesn’t mean strenuous workouts, but something as little as walking for half an hour daily can significantly reduce the risks posed by obesity, and improve your overall fitness. #2: You should carefully choose your foods, and eat fiber-rich, low fat, foods such as fruits and vegetables. You should try to avoid sugary snacks and carbonated drinks full of sugar with no health benefits at all. #3: Drink plenty of clean water. The most important thing for your body is sufficient water. Water helps regulate body fluids and temperature. It helps major organs—including your skin— function better. It cleanses your whole system and hydrates your body which is extremely important for staying healthy.
So what can you do to make sure you are following these guidelines? You should always move around throughout the day and avoid sitting in one position for too long. We students must read and study a lot, but try to make your sedentary lifestyle a little more active. Play a school sport. Go skating, dancing, swimming, or bowling with friends. Take bike rides. If these are not convenient, be creative. Use the stairs instead of an elevator at least once a day. Run instead of walk to the store or the subway. Try doing sit ups or jumping rope. There are lots of cheap and easy ways to get your blood and muscles moving in between study sessions.
Most importantly, pay close addition to the ingredients and nutrition facts labeled on your food packaging. There are many hidden sugars in your food, so read the label and stay away from them. If you like fruit juice try mixing it half-and-half with cold water to satisfy thirst or a flavor craving while drinking fewer calories! Moreover, get a water bottle and a notebook to keep track of how much water you are consuming. You can also set up a schedule for your water intake.
These tips and guidelines will surely help you reach your goal. So don’t wait and start avoiding weight gain right now! BEAT OBESITY AND CANCER IN ONE SHOT!!