The Preventative Role of Diet
The obesity crisis that has swept the nation has brought a lot of attention to the reasons why we are facing this epidemic and what can be done to prevent it in the future, and bring those who already suffer into a healthier lifestyle. Overweight and obesity are largely preventable by making healthy dietary choices. See more here. A diet that is appropriate for prevention can be found across many different scholarly sources but all have the same core points: increase consumption of fruits and vegetables as well as whole grains and nuts while limiting sugar, salt, bad fats, and processed foods.
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A diet that is balanced with lean meats, carbohydrates, fruits, vegetables, and dairy provide the body with essential nutrient needs on a daily basis and will keep body fat at manageable levels. These guidelines, for that matter can be applied to all BMI statuses including underweight, overweight, and obesity. The main cause for unhealthy weight to height ratios (what the BMI index uses to measure optimal weight) is due to an imbalance between the calories one consumes and the energy output of their body. In some cases such as underweight individuals the caloric intake is not sufficient enough to support their energy output and therefore energy is sought after in other forms such as fat and muscle tissue throughout the body causing weight loss. On the other end of the spectrum, overweight and obesity occurs when the caloric intake exceeds the body's energy output and thus stores glucose in the form of fat for later use when or if needed. A combination of high caloric intake with minimal physical activity to keep energy levels up directly leads to obesity. See more about the role of nutrition in preventing obesity here.
In todays America being overweight seems to be the norm, but it is by no means normal. So how then does one make educated food choices that meets his or her dietary needs across their lifespan? Let us take a closer look at the nutritional requirements across the lifespan so that health concerns such as the ones mentioned above can be avoided at an early age by instilling healthy behaviors. When it comes to improving your health, do not wait.
