Anorexia and obesity are serious issues affecting millions of people, but they’re often treated as entirely different problems. Anorexic adults have a body mass index (BMI) of less than 17.5 and are often underweight. Overweight people have a BMI between 25 and 29.9, but this is often not healthy because it can lead to health issues like diabetes or heart disease.
Anorexics are typically viewed as “skinny girls” who can’t eat anything without feeling guilty, while people with obesity are often accused of being lazy or gluttonous. But the truth is that anorexia and obesity share many exact underlying causes, which can be traced back to eating disorders. You don’t have to be skinny to be healthy. It’s a fact that many people find hard to believe—especially when they’re dealing with anorexia or obesity, two conditions that cause extreme weight loss or gain.
Likewise, obesity is a problem that has been around for a long time. In fact, it’s not a new issue, and it’s not going away anytime soon. Obesity is a major risk factor for many chronic diseases, including heart disease and diabetes. And it’s not just affecting individuals’ health—the cost of treating obesity-related illness accounts for billions of dollars each year in medical bills.
As we age, we tend to gain weight because our metabolism slows down. It can mean gaining as much as 3 pounds per decade after age 40. But this doesn’t have to be inevitable! If you eat more calories than your body needs and don’t move enough daily (or at all), you’re likely to gain weight. That’s why eating healthy foods like fruits and vegetables is important instead of junk foods like candy bars, soda, and processed foods. But you can always try new ways to get active so you can burn more calories than you consume!
Conclusion
So if you’re thinking about making some changes to your lifestyle, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Talk to your doctor or a nutritionist and ensure they can help you set realistic goals based on your current state and lifestyle. Once you’re on track with your weight loss goals, remember that there are plenty of ways to stay active without having to join a gym or buy expensive equipment! You can walk around your neighborhood with friends or family members, play sports like soccer or basketball with your kids, and ride bikes around town—the possibilities to be healthy are endless!
