March 4th every year is “World Obesity Day”. According to recent data released by the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 1 billion people in the world are obese, and 1 in every 8 people meets the obesity standard. Not only adults, many teenagers and children also face the problem of being overweight. The obesity situation among teenagers has increased fourfold since 1990. Statistics from the journal “The Lancet” also pointed out that it was originally expected that 1 billion people in the world would be obese in 2030, and now this number has reached the target ahead of schedule.

If Parents Are Obese, Children Are Likely to Become Obese as Well?

Jia Shuli, deputy director of the National Health Service of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, said that among the top 10 causes of death in Taiwan, cancer, heart disease, COVID-19, cerebrovascular disease, hypertension, chronic lower respiratory disease, kidney disease, diabetes and other diseases are directly related to obesity. Lin Wenyuan, chairman of the Taiwan Obesity Medical Association, even discovered that there are many cases in the clinic where both parents and children are obese. “The lifestyle of parents will affect the children. For example, some families spend holidays at home watching TV and eating unhealthy foods. In the clinic, you will find that the whole family is obese.”

It is worth noting that if obesity occurs in children and adolescents, 70% of people will not be able to return to a healthy weight in adulthood, and it may also cause negative effects on health and cognitive function:

• Increased risk of cardiovascular disease
• Increased chance of developing sleep apnea, affecting academic performance at school
• Precocious puberty
• May have a higher risk of death

Ni Yanxuan, chairman of the Taiwan Pediatric Medical Association, said that if children become obese before the age of 2, it is likely to be a genetic problem, and they should seek further help from a pediatrician. As for young children and teenagers aged 2 to 18 years old, to prevent obesity, they must start by cultivating and adjusting to a correct lifestyle, such as:

• Establish good eating habits: eat less junk and refined food, have regular and quantitative meals, and try to avoid late-night snacks
• Moderate physical activity: establish and maintain good exercise habits
• Maintain adequate sleep: avoid going to bed late and getting up early

If parents find that their children are overweight or may be at risk of obesity, in addition to assisting in weight management, they should also help their children improve their awareness of “healthy posture.” If the child’s weight and lifestyle still cannot be adjusted smoothly, they should consult a pediatrician. He also emphasized that when it comes to children and teenagers, in principle, medication should be avoided and professional assistance such as nutritionists and exercise guidance should be combined as much as possible.

What Are the Four Major Reminders to Fight Obesity?

Jia Shuli pointed out that the fattest age group at this stage is the 34 to 54-year-old group who work hard in the workplace. This is mainly related to the fact that office workers sit for long periods and may not have time to exercise after get off work. However, even if you have time to exercise, if you do not develop good habits and make dietary adjustments, you may not be able to truly achieve the effect of preventing obesity or losing weight.

Jia Shuli emphasized that “long periods of sitting and lack of exercise” and “unhealthy diet” are the two main causes of obesity. Therefore, in addition to developing good discipline and habits, exercise must also be matched with changes in eating habits. You cannot feel that you have just finished exercising and burned a lot of calories and then eat and drink heavily, to effectively reduce weight.

Many people who lose weight often face or worry about the “yo-yo effect”, where they “gain back” the weight they originally lost. In this regard, Lin Wenyuan pointed out that whether it is 168 fasting, ketogenic diet, or other methods if the eating habits cannot be sustained, the original defense line will collapse, causing the weight loss results to fall short. It is recommended that in addition to adjusting your mentality, you still need to seek medical treatment when necessary.

To fight against obesity, Lin Wenyuan puts forward 4 major reminders:

• Facing the Impact: Understanding the Possible Harms of Obesity to Individuals, Families, and Society
• Eat less and move more: Diet control + regular exercise habits are the only way to lose weight
• Medication Safety: If you want to use medication to help with weight loss, you should consult your doctor
• Start a conversation: If you have any questions, you should ask your doctor and avoid discrimination against obese people in your life.