Obesity – Do you really need to take that next bite?

Food for celebrations

Food transcends all cultures around the world and is at the center of almost everything we do. It is a great way for families and friends to get together and celebrate and socialize at special events such as birthdays, weddings, holidays, anniversaries, graduations, Jewish bar mitzvah, the birth of a child, proposals, college acceptance, annual and seasonal festivities. Food is also very popular at repasts where families and loved ones reconnect and support each other through the bereavement period, business meetings where important decisions are made, office parties, special occasions such as promotions, retirements and just about everything. Food is everywhere and often very delicious.

The fusion of culinary cultures

Migration has brought with it the blending of cultures that have led to the creation of exquisite cuisine from all over the world, which is scrumptious as well as appetizing. Usually, these foods are very healthy and nutritious. However, sometimes it becomes unhealthy, especially if it’s fried with hydrogenated oils, which is bad for the heart. Studies have shown that it can increase LDL (bad) cholesterol while decreasing the levels of HDL (good) cholesterol (Link 2019). Therefore, all things must be done in moderation, as too much of a good thing can produce more harm than good. There is fast food that is loaded with fat and sugar, and many of us eat too much. Hence, the obesity problem is chronic in our world today. In recent times, there has been more availability of junk food and a lack of physical activity which promotes obesity.  The pandemic, too, played a huge role in the obesity crisis because people were locked down and forced to stay indoors while our leaders scrambled to figure out what to do. The stress caused by the fear of catching the dreaded plague, coupled with economic uncertainties such as unemployment, food ration, shortage in essential supplies, and people squashing together in tight quarters 24/7 caused tempers to flare, which helped to aggravate the situation.  Many people turned to food as a consolation to get them through these difficult times.

Food causes drunkenness and illness

In the book of Proverbs, Solomon cautions us about gluttony, which leads to obesity. (Proverbs 23:1-3 , 20-21). Food can cause drunkenness. After consuming large amounts of fatty foods with little or no vegetable which is always topped with heavy salad dressings and consuming large portions of rich desserts laden with sugar and fats, there is the tendency to feel drowsy and fall asleep. A typical example is after eating a Thanksgiving or Christmas because people tend to over-prepare during this time, resulting in an abundance of food. 

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the US obesity prevalence increased from 30.5% in 1999 to 41.9% between the periods 2017-2020.  Also, the prevalence of severe obesity increased from 4.7% to 9.2%. Obesity-related conditions are on the rise, heart disease, stroke, type2 diabetes and certain forms of cancer, which are among the major determinants of preventable and premature death. In the United States, the estimated yearly medical cost of obesity was nearly $173 billion dollars in 2019. When compared to the cost of medical care for people with healthier weights, the cost of those with obesity was $1861 higher, which is quite alarming. 

Psychology of eating

Many use food as a coping mechanism because it detracts them from facing their real problems. For example, someone might feel guilt, shame, or battling low self-esteem hence they eat the whole gallon of ice cream, and stuff themselves with cakes, pies, puddings, candies, and other rich pastries hoping that these will eradicate the demons that are haunting them. However, they soon learn that this doesn’t work because they notice they are becoming larger from overeating, and it makes them feel worse about themselves. Hence, they eat more, and this sinks them further into depression as they focus on self-defeating words such as you’re not good enough, it is too late to do anything now or nobody loves me. Thus, they continue the vicious cycle of overeating to silence a voice or numb the pain that will not leave because they are using the wrong approach to address this pain. Unfortunately, this can bring about suicidal ideation. They connected obesity to other comorbidities, such as Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, depression, anxiety, sleep apnea and other chronic illnesses.   (Psychosocial burden of obesity)

Unregulated eating is prevalent among those who are obese. Studies have shown that many of those seeking weight loss treatment admitted to engaging in emotional eating while others said they had difficulty controlling portion sizes, and frequency of meals or developed the disorder from their response to societal pressure through the imposing advertisement promoting foods that look good but not always nutritious. Binge-eating is the most popular eating disorder among those who are obese.  Binge-eating disorder is described as eating large amounts of food in a short time frame, usually less than two hours. Individuals usually lost control and eat faster than normal until they feel stuffed without feeling hungry and often eat alone.  Some individuals have reported feeling disgusted of binge eating.

Sarwer, D. B., & Polonsky, H. M. (2016)

Healthy Habits to adopt for obesity prevention

According to the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH), the amount of calories people consume directly impacts their weight. When we consume the same number of calories that the body uses, our weight remains constant. When we consume more than we spend, the result is weight gain. They have conducted many studies about how patterns in food and diet protect against heart diseases, type 2 diabetes, and other chronic illnesses.  The foods that discourage weight gain are the same ones that prevent diseases.  The foods are whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and nuts, while processed food such as refined grains and sugary drinks leads to weight gain. Foods, in their natural form, directly from nature, are best for us.   

Exercise is not only a great way to lose weight but improves health, promotes relaxation, good sleep and helps with moodiness and protects against chronic illnesses.  Get outside and walk about daily enjoying the fresh air, deep breathing and enjoying the beauty of nature.  Start slowly, then increase as you get stronger.  Please remember to consult with your medical provider before engaging in any dietary changes or exercises, especially if you are morbidly obese. (HSPH) Prayer is very important in every situation we face in life.