Obesity, a global concern

Picture looking in the mirror and not knowing who's looking back at you. For millions of people around the world, this isn't hypothetical – it's a bitter reality. Obesity is no longer an isolated issue – it's a global epidemic, affecting more than 1 billion people worldwide. It's a multifaceted problem, with influences ranging from genetics to environment and lifestyle. Here's the thing: it's not all about personal freedom. Societal pressures, no healthy food access, and a lack of exercise all contribute. The effects are severe: higher chronic disease risk such as diabetes, heart disease, and some cancers. So, how do we solve it? With awareness, education, and taking small steps that lead to big results. We can together fight this swelling epidemic and ensure a healthier tomorrow for all.

Health problems which are caused due to obesity are important dangers to recognize. The diseases which are mentioned in the blog are the “everyday” diseases, yes, due to our lifestyle the diseases which were once rare, have become common. Every household has one of the below mentioned diseases.

Several health complications can be caused by obesity, including:

1. Cardiovascular Disease: One very religiously practiced activity of our households is to check our bp, high blood pressure are caused due to obesity. Not only this but an obese person also suffers from a risk of having a heart attack, and stroke.

2. Type 2 Diabetes: high blood sugar levels and insulin resistance, sometimes our skin, the neck area gives us a signal of type 2 diabetes but we tend to ignore it. You must have noticed someone you know, who has a dark neck, which is acanthosis nigricans, a condition which generally happens because of high blood sugar levels caused due to obesity.

3. Various Cancers: esophageal, pancreatic, kidney, colorectal, and breast cancers

4. Breathing Problems: sleep apnea and asthma

5. Joint and Bone Issues: joint pain and osteoarthritis

6. Mental Health Conditions: anxiety and depression

7. Liver Conditions: NAFLD (nonalcoholic fatty liver disease) . Obesity also leads to fatty liver, which affects the whole functioning of the body.

8. Reproductive Issues: urinary incontinence and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), this is no less than a younger sister of diabetes.

The Exploitation of Obesity: A Concerning Issue

Obesity is a multifaceted problem that can be exploited for many reasons. Weight loss industry covers a big portion of this exploitation. Businesses that are generating profits by selling weight loss products and services that are mostly deceptive. Online you must have seen several ads which talk about weight loss just by drinking some drink, simply a way of making money. Such exploitation can have deleterious effects, including the reinforcement of stigma and self-esteem erosion.

Moreover, in the name of body positivity, social media platforms encourage obesity, you must remember it is not about being in an ideal shape set by society, but it is about focusing on your fitness and a balanced diet, to remain active and healthy.

About breathing exercises

As we all know, breathing exercises help us in reducing stress and anxiety, and in the same way, it improves mental health.

The science behind breathing and weight loss: certain breathing mechanisms can influence weight loss. Weight management depends on a combination of factors, including stress, metabolism, and appetite. Therefore, to address obesity, it's essential to focus on changes that affect all these factors. Mindful breathing helps in reducing cortisol levels, which are triggered by stress. Cortisol is a hormone that can increase appetite, leading to overeating, and promote fat storage, particularly in the abdominal area. Therefore, it is necessary to practice breathing that helps in managing stress. People also suffer from obesity due to their slow metabolism. Proper breathing techniques can enhance oxygen intake, which is crucial for efficient cellular metabolism. Increased oxygen levels can boost resting metabolic rate (RMR), meaning the body burns more calories even at rest. An obese person faces problems with hunger and its control. Through certain breathing exercises, one can fight unnecessary hunger and cravings. Breathing practices like diaphragmatic breathing, and senobi breathing are some techniques that can be practiced.

On our website, you will easily find numerous breathing practices; go and read about them so that you can begin your own fitness journey. Lastly, it's essential to remember that breathing practices alone cannot help in achieving desired body changes. A combination of diet, physical activity, and breathing is necessary for effectively managing obesity.