Obesity – A curse on today’s youth

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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