Obesity – Prevention
The more pronounced the obesity is and the longer it persists, the more difficult the therapy becomes. In addition, the consequences of weight loss, such as high blood pressure (hypertension) and arteriosclerosis , cannot always be reversed. That’s why it’s important not to let obesity develop in the first place or to not let slight overweight become obesity.
A healthy lifestyle is the be-all and end-all
The most important factor in preventing obesity is a healthy lifestyle: a balanced diet with little and healthy fat, lots of fiber and vitamins and little processed sugar. Regular exercise is just as important as diet – not just temporary, but permanent. Endurance sports such as swimming are most suitable .
Obesity: protect children early
Unfortunately, numerous studies on the subject of overweight and obesity have also shown that preventive measures are relatively ineffective in adults. They have more effect on children, especially when the parents support the change in life.
The first years of life are often formative – also in terms of lifestyle habits such as nutrition and exercise. Ultimately, prevention of overweight and obesity must therefore begin in childhood. It is therefore also important that pediatricians provide information and that kindergartens and schools are involved in the topics of nutrition and exercise.
Obesity: overweight despite diet
Of course, achieving and maintaining normal weight is best. Diets that promise quick weight loss are not suitable for this . Even if they work in the short term, in the long term they do more harm than good in the fight against overweight and obesity. They may also disrupt the natural appetite regulation.
Another undesirable side effect of short-term weight loss: like a yo-yo, the weight goes back up just as quickly after losing weight as it did before. Weight reduction, i.e. losing weight, only makes sense if it is accompanied by a permanent change in lifestyle. This includes a change in diet in accordance with the recommendations of the DGE (German Society for Nutrition) as well as changing exercise behavior. This is the only way to create a negative or balanced energy balance, in which no more energy is supplied than is consumed.
