Obesity - A curse on today's youth

by Charles Jones

It is a common saying that - A child is the father of Man. It sensibly means that a child is the future of tomorrow. But how protected is our future generation or GENext is the big question. In this fast developing world, where technological and economy rules the world, the health factor in today's youth is of great concern. Because, with the growing economy, the easy availability of lifestyle gadgets and gizmos the youth of today are inclined towards sedentary lifestyles and eating disorders which makes them vulnerable to the long-term complex disease - Obesity.

Obesity is a condition when excess of body fat or adipose tissue is accumulated in the body which poses to be a significant health hazard and increased mortality. Just being overweight is not meant to be obese. What matters is your Body Mass Index (BMI). It is a way of relating your weight to height. An ideal BMI count should be between 19 and 24. A BMI count of 30 or higher is alarming and

is considered to be obese in adults.

In today's society, on one side we see fitness being the rage with fashion, glamour, beauty pageants and slimming down as a fashion statement. For fitness they try many kinds of diet pills such as didrex, bontril, xenical etc and much more.While on the other side, we see a significant number of our youth threatened with obesity and many on the verge of risking their life. Obesity has many adverse effects on health starting from hypertension, asthma, sleep apnea (breathlessness while sleeping), orthopedic complications like osteoarthritis and diabetes (type2). Psychological stigma, fear of rejection amongst peers, rejection in love, career limitations and low self esteem seem to take a toll in the youth.

Studies refer to today's youth as the most inactive generation of all times and the factors related to obesity in youth as the biggest challenge of the

21st century. Obesity is posing as a universal threat cutting across boundaries and socioeconomic strata's. The causes other than genetic factors which lead to this chronic disease are far from many

-> Easy availability of ready-to-eat and junk food.

-> Beverages with high calorie content.

-> Stress and boredom.

-> Decrease in physical activity where machines do the chores.

-> Lesser immobility due to the advent of television and computer.

-> Use of automobiles rather than walk down the street.

Obesity is a health risk for the children, youth and older man alike. It also signals ill health and may be a lifetime of dieting. But we stress on a healthy obesity-free generation of youth - since the world needs the energy, stamina and a fit body of youth for years to come. For, a healthy mind lives only in a healthy body.

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