People living in highly urbanized areas lead a more fast paced and stressful lives, and compounded with pollution and quick greasy food, redound to a lifestyle that is less than ideal. While there is a now a growing trend in eating healthy, nutritious food, many people, especially the younger set are still gaining weight.
While we have national figures pointing to increasing obesity, there is a study showing that being overweight cuts lifespan by one to 10 years.
The University of Cambridge released a report that the “risk of dying before your 70th birthday grows steadily and steeply along with an expanding waistline.”
The risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, respiratory disease and cancer are increased. In The Lancet medical journal, a study using data from almost four million adults in four continents found that “overweight people lost about a year of life expectancy on average, and “moderately obese” people about three years.”
Lifestyle changes have to be made at this time when everything seems to happen at a faster pace. Our diet which is rich in processed food, bombarded as we are by quick cooking meals on media is obviously not good for our health, and that of our children. Being inactive is not helping, too.
So how do we respond to this trend? People need to have space to walk around or engage in activity that will be enjoyable. We need more breathable spaces like the People’s Park where children can run and play, and where adults can exercise freely.
Being mindful of what we eat and how active we are will go a long way in managing our weight and ensuring our health.
