Obesity or Over Weight

What is Obesity?

Obesity is the excessive accumulation of body fat, i.e. more than 25% of ideal body weight in boys and 32% in girls. Worldwide 51% of women, 44% of men and 30% of children are overweight. At least one child in five is obese.

How do you come to know Whether you are Overweight, Obese or Normal Weight?

There is a scale called Body Mass Index (BMI) Which is calculated from height and weight. This differs in male and female and for different age groups. The charts for the calculation can be availed.

Why do you become obese or overweight?

• Genetic - Family history of obesity or overweight.
• Environmental
• Sedentary lifestyle (No/minimal physical activity in daily life, watching TV, playing video games, working on computers, etc.)
• Food Habits (Eating high fat, low fiber and high quantity (calories) diet like Burgers, Pizzas, French fries, Cola drinks, etc.).

What can you do about it?

If you are not obese, not over weight... Prevent both!

If you are over weight...... Reduce your weight and prevent obesity!

If your are obese... Get ride or it!

How to get rid of Obesity?

Obesity Leads - Diabetes in children, Hypertension in children, Joints problems in children.

Step by Step....

Food Habits ­ Eat the quantity (calories) only as much is needed for your daily activity. Neither less nor more.
Choose food high in fiber, low in fat which will help in controlling the quantity too.
Physical activity - Do physical activity which will consume calories on a regular basis. Use the leisure times for out door games instead of being Couch Potato.

Role of Teachers/School

• Planned, systematic inculcation of the above habits into Children.Allocating certain fixed hours for guidance on nutrition in the curriculum.
• Discouraging the fast food outlets inside the school premises.
• Distribution of healthy dietary information for parent though children.
• Organizing dietary seminars for parents in the school.
• Encouraging healthy dietary stalls in school meals and annual functions.
• Encouraging children and giving awards to those children, who participate in Physical activity and Games.

Role of Parents

Children see their parents as their "Role Models" in life, hence it is of utmost importance to:

Set examples by making healthy food choices and practicing physical activities at home on an ongoing basis.

Explain the values of each food items and activities to children as much as possible.

Most Strange

It does seem strange however that there are campaigns against smoking, drinking and yet obesity which poses as a serious threat to life is brushed under the Carpet. It is not a "Sociable Topic".

That's why we thought of this project "Obesity Prevention At Grassroots Level."

"Never sit it you can stand
Never Stand it You can Walk
Never Walk if you can Run"