OBESITY AS A RESULT OF SEDENTARY LIFESTYLE

Obesity

Terms obesity and overweight mean that a person’s weight is greater than what’s considered healthy for his or her height.

Obesity happens over time when you eat more calories than you use. The balance between calories-in and calories-out differs for each person. Factors that might affect your weight include your genetic makeup, overeating, eating high-fat foods, and not being physically active.

Sedentary lifestyle

A sedentary lifestyle is a type of lifestyle with little or no physical activity

How does an inactive lifestyle affect your body?

• You burn fewer calories. This makes you more likely to gain weight.
• You may lose muscle strength and endurance, because you are not using your muscles as much
• Your bones may get weaker and lose some mineral content
• Your metabolism may be affected, and your body may have more trouble breaking down fats and sugars
• Your immune system may not work as well
• You may have poorer blood circulation
• Your body may have more inflammation
• You may develop a hormonal imbalance

Health Tips: 

•  1.   Walking – A minimum of 20 minutes of brisk walking per day for five times a week helps reduce the risk of a heart disease 
• 2.   Running and swimming, or aerobics is also a good way to help maintain a good heart and other organ functionality 

How can I be more active around the house?

There are some ways you can be active around your house:

• Housework, gardening, and yard work are all physical work.
• Keep moving while you watch TV(Instead of using the TV remote, get up and change the channels yourself)
• Lift hand weights, do some gentle yoga stretches, or pedal an exercise bike.
• Work out at home with a workout video (on your TV or on the internet)
• Go for a walk. It can be more fun if you walk your dog, walk your kids to school, or walk with a friend.
• Get some exercise equipment for your home. Treadmills and elliptical trainers are great, but not everyone has the money or space for one. Less expensive equipment such as yoga balls, exercise mats, stretch bands, and hand weights can help you get a workout at home too.

How can I be more active at work?

Most of us sit when we are working, often in front of a computer.

It can be challenging to fit physical activity into your busy workday, but here are some tips to help you get moving:

• Get up from your chair and move around at least once an hour
• Walk when you are talking on the phone
• Find out whether your company can get you a stand-up desk
• Take the stairs instead of the elevator
• Use your break or part of your lunch hour to walk around the building
• Stand up and walk to a colleague’s office instead of sending an email
• Have “walking” or standing meetings with co-workers instead of sitting in a conference room

-Dr Krishna Priya

References:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/obesity/symptoms-causes/syc-20375742

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/obesity/symptoms-causes/syc-20375742