Obesity occurs when the amount of food consumed exceeds the amount of energy expended. The reasons for the recent steep increase in obesity are:
- An increase in sedentary (sitting down) activities, both at work and in the home more of our time is spent seated. In industry more and more processes
are automated thus reducing the opportunity for strenuous activity and more wokers are finding jobs in the service sector.
Time spent in front of a computer screen or a television set does not burn off any excess
calories.In the US the biggest increase in leisure activity industries have been those that require only sedentary participation;
- An increase in the consumption of processed foods which have a high fat or sugar content. Processed foods are quick to prepare and convenient to
consume, however they do not provide us with a nutrtitionally balanced diet. Processed foods are also cheaper which is a major reason why obesity is more
common amongst people with a lower socioeconomic status;
- The increase in bottle fed babies may also contribute to the rising levels of obesity. The World Health Organisation cites a study of 32,000 pre-
school children who "showed lower prevalence of obesity among those who had been breastfed after adjusting for socioeconomic status, birth weight
and gender."
- Less than 1% of people are overweight because of a medical condition. Some steroids and anti-depressants can contribute to weight gain.
- In larger cities more people use cars or public transport even for short journeys and also spend less time on physical activities.
The National Institute for Clinical Excellence puts forward the following as possible barriers to lifestyle change:
- lack of knowledge about buying and cooking food, and how diet and exercise affect health;
- the cost and availability of healthy foods and opportunities for exercise;
- safety concerns, for example about cycling;
- lack of time;
- personal tastes;
- the views of family and community members;
- low levels of fitness, or disabilities;
- low self-esteem and lack of assertiveness.
