Is your lifestyle making you fat?
MODERNISATION has brought with it a lot of accoutrements that our forefathers would not have been exposed to, which have increased our risk of becoming victims of the developing world epidemic — obesity.
Consultant general, laparoscopic and obesity surgeon Dr Alfred Dawes said a primary reason for people becoming obese is the shift that has been seen in their lifestyles over the decades.
“We are moving from an era where we were more active and consumed fewer calories to nowadays where modern amenities have made it easier for us to move from point A to point B or the need to do chores involving less physical demands,” Dr Dawes explained
He added that not only has modernisation caused people to start living a sedentary lifestyle, but also more people are driven by the fast life that often involves an increase in the number of hours that they stay awake, whether for work or entertainment.
“Lack of sleep can put you at increased risk of becoming obese. What happens is that when you are awake you tend to choose foods that are high in calories or you may end up overeating,” Dr Dawes said
He also pointed out that stress is also a causative factor in obesity. Stress encourages you to eat inappropriately, and it also leads to an excessive release of cortisol, a stress hormone that is critical in managing the energy and fat storage in the body. This hormone has been linked to an increase in appetite, especially a craving for sugary foods.
“The availability of food is such that we are now exposed to more calorie-dense foods or obesogenic foods [more likely to cause obesity because they provide more than enough calories per meal] than what is needed for our basic metabolic activities. Therefore we should strive for meals that mimic those of our forefathers,” Dr Dawes advised.
He warned people who are obese that they are at an increased risk of hypertension and heart disease, which are among the leading causes of death in Jamaica.
“Park your cars, walk a little longer. Replace fats with proteins and increase your intake of vegetables and fruits. This, coupled with an increase in the time allotted for exercise, a healthier sleeping pattern and a plan to destress, should result in a less obese populace,” Dr Dawes recommended.
