The Epidemic of Obesity and Poor Physical Activity Participation: Will We Ever See a Change?

Abstract

Obesity is a global epidemic, and researchers have been examining its prevalence and impact for decades [1]. In 2016, The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that more than 1.9 billion adults over the age of 18 were overweight, and 650 million of these adults were obese [2]. Worldwide obesity in adults has greatly increased in the last~40 years [2]; a systematic review of over 1700 research studies found that the global proportion of overweight/obese adults increased from 28.8% to 36.9% in males, and 29.8% to 38% in females between 1980 and 2013 [1]. Furthermore, global obesity rates are projected to continue to steadily increase [3].Unfortunately, the epidemic of obesity is not limited to adults; children and adolescents are overweight and obese at alarming levels worldwide, with many countries reporting prevalence rates of 20-35% [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]. As seen in adults, the proportion of overweight/obese youth continues to rise [1,12]. Even more concerning is that obesity is becoming a prevalent issue in very young children; the WHO estimates that as of 2016, 41 million children under the age of five are overweight or obese [2]. In one a study of over 2000 four-year-old children from Spain, the prevalence of obesity increased from 5.4% to 10.1% over a two-year follow-up [4]. Obesity during childhood/adolescence drastically increases the probability of obesity in adulthood [13,14]. Early-onset obesity is setting children up for a lifelong risk of obesity-associated complications, as it is now understood that early markers of adult cardiovascular disease begin in childhood [15].Obesity is associated with disorders of almost every system in the body [16]. For example, adults with obesity have increased incidence of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, and hypertension [17][18][19]. Childhood obesity is also associated with hypertension, insulin resistance, and liver disease, among others [16]. In a large cohort study of over 8500 nine-year-old Irish children, a staggering 11.1% of the population reported having a chronic illness that impaired daily living [20]. Children who reported living with chronic diseases were more often overweight or obese (32% prevalence) [20]. The negative health effects associated with obesity are not limited to physical outcomes; cognitive function is also decreased in obese children [21,22]. For example, a recent study examined the association of adiposity with achievement and cognitive function in obese children aged 7-9 years old vs. normal-weight children [23]. Compared to normal-weight children, children who were obese had lower performance on tests of reading and math. In the obese children, higher visceral adipose tissue was associated with poorer intellectual abilities and cognitive performance [23]. Published data indicate that an increasing number of children are at risk of

High-intensity Interval Training Promotes the Shift to a Health-Supporting Dietary Pattern in Young Adults

“…In this study, the influence of exercise training on habitual dietary patterns of young sedentary adults has been evaluated. Despite increased awareness, public health campaigns and novel therapies, worldwide obesity in adults has greatly increased in the last~40 years [20].…”

Fun Water Activity Sebagai Upaya Pencegahan Overweight Pada Anak

“…Terlebih maraknya permainan game online membuat kurangnya aktivitas fisik secara menyeluruh terutama bagi anak-anak. Kurangnya gerak aktivitas fisik akan menimbulkan kecenderungan overweight pada anak (West, Caterini, Banks, & Wells, 2018). Secara global, 170 juta anak-anak diseluruh dunia mengalami overweight (World Health Organization, 2012).…”

“…Aktivitas fisik merupakan salah satu cara yang dapat digunakan untuk mencegah overweight pada anak (Katzmarzyk et al, 2015). Aktivitas fisik didefinisikan sebagai pergerakan baik secara terstruktur maupun tidak terstruktur dalam berbagai kegiatan dengan bermacam intensitas yang mempromosikan kebugaran dan kesehatan yang substansial (West et al, 2018). WHO merekomendasikan aktivitas fisik bagi anak selama 60 menit per hari yang dapat dibagi menjadi beberapa kegiatan (World Health Organization, 2012).…”

Identifying facilitators and barriers for adolescents participating in a school-based HIIT intervention: the eXercise for asthma with commando Joe’s® (X4ACJ) programme

“…Health and social benefits of engaging in physical activity across the lifespan are well-documented globally [1,2]. Nonetheless, a disconnect remains between the recognised benefits of physical activity and the proportion of individuals who achieve the recommended physical activity guidelines [3]. Indeed, worldwide, approximately four in five adolescents (81%) are not meeting the global physical activity recommendations for optimal health [4].…”