Although fat is vital to life, it has been attributed to numerous medical conditions, many of which are fatal. Negative connotations have emerged regarding being overweight despite proof that human evolution favored the obese (PBS, 2020). Evidence from the ancient world also shows obesity was revered and represented fertility. Today, the benefits of fat, including its role in producing vital hormones that help the brain and reproductive organs function, are well understood. Although fat aids in biological processes and stores energy, it can cause diabetes, heart complications, and blood pressure; hence, there is a need for intervention against obesity using lifestyle modification methods.
Many people in the U.S. live in food deserts that influence the consumption of fast foods that cause obesity. However, through lifestyle changes and “multicomponent behavioral interventions,” people can become healthier (Wadden et al., 2020, p. 235). The authors recommend a one-year weight loss maintenance program coupled with monthly counseling sessions for people seeking to reduce weight, and high physical activity for those aiming at maintaining weight. Wadden et al. (2020) state that technology has become instrumental in helping people commit to improving long-term health. Holmes et al. (2019) also found technology as an effective communication tool able to manage weight loss by easing monitoring of diet and exercise programs, especially in the short term. Today, technology-aided weight management added to knowledge about food can guide one to living a healthy lifestyle free of the risk of becoming obese.
Knowledge of diet and nutrition learned through school and community outreach is a proven method to ending obesity. Manios et al. (2018) found the Feel4Diabetes-study, a school and community-based intervention to promote a healthy lifestyle, is effective in preventing the proliferation of type II diabetes in the population sample. A similar approach was implemented in Spain and proved effective, thus, indicating the initiative’s generalizability and efficiency (Fernandez-Jimenez et al., 2019). While the above methods can help with weight management for regular people, Wiser and Boisvert (2019) recommend selective food choices, caloric restrictions, and self-monitoring for postpartum weight loss management. Today, access to fast foods and the prevalence of food deserts mean people gain weight beyond the required threshold for survival. With emerging risks from obesity on the rise, it is vital to alter people’s lifestyles to keep the body mass index at the recommended levels.
References
Fernandez-Jimenez, R., Santos-Beneit, G., Tresserra-Rimbau, A., Bodega, P., de Miguel, M., de Cos-Gandoy, A., RodrĂguez, C., Carral, V., Orrit, X., Haro, D., Carvajal, I., Ibañez, B., Storniolo, C., Domènech, M., Estruch, R., Fernández-Alvira, J. M., Lamuela-RaventĂłs, R. M., … Fuster, V. (2019). Rationale and design of the school-based SI! Program to face obesity and promote health among Spanish adolescents: A cluster-randomized controlled trial.American Heart Journal, 215, 27-40. Web.
Holmes, W. S., Moorhead, S. A., Coates, V. E., Bond, R. R., & Zheng, H. (2019). Impact of digital technologies for communicating messages on weight loss maintenance: A systematic literature review.European Journal of Public Health, 29(2), 320-328. Web.
Manios, Y., Androutsos, O., Lambrinou, C. P., Cardon, G., Lindstrom, J., Annemans, L., Mateo-Gallego, R., de Sabata, M. S., Iotova, V., Kivela, J., Martinez, R., Moreno, L. A., Rurik, I., Schwarz, P., Tankova, T., Liatis, S., … Makrilakis, K. (2018). A school-and community-based intervention to promote a healthy lifestyle and prevent type 2 diabetes in vulnerable families across Europe: Design and implementation of the Feel4Diabetes-study.Public Health Nutrition, 21(17), 3281-3290. Web.
PBS. (2020). The truth about fat [Video]. PBS. Web.
Wadden, T. A., Tronieri, J. S., & Butryn, M. L. (2020). Lifestyle modification approaches for the treatment of obesity in adults.American Psychologist, 75(2), 235-251. Web.
Wiser, D., & Boisvert, J. (2019). What lifestyle interventions are most effective for promoting postpartum weight loss?Evidence-Based Practice, 22(10), 13-14. Web.