Healthy Eating and Exercise in Reducing Obesity Risk - Research Proposal Example

? Role of Healthy Eating and Exercise in Reducing the Risk of Obesity Many people around the world consume various foodstuffs without really taking into account the dietary composition of such foods (Williams & Fru?hbeck, 2009). This has especially led to high incidences of obesity that has been linked to poor eating habits and lack of exercise. Although there has been an increase in the prevalence in obesity especially in the western world, doctors have always advised that healthy eating and exercise can reduce the risk of obesity (Heshmat, 2011). Indeed, following a healthy eating regime that will prevent one from becoming obese has been a difficult undertaking especially to those that have more than enough resources at their disposal. This, coupled with a good exercise regimen can ensure that one lives a healthy lifestyle that is free of the common illnesses (Williams & Fru?hbeck, 2009). Obesity is an epidemic that is on the rise and can be controlled with healthy eating and an exercise program. With this in mind, this paper intends to explore how healthy eating and exercise will reduce the risk of obesity and how this will be beneficial to me in particular. Obesity is a serious health condition whereby a person accumulates too much fat to the extent that they may face health challenges (Heshmat, 2011). An obese person normally accumulates more far around their waist and this may reduce their life expectancy in addition to predisposing the victims to various lifestyle diseases. In medical terms, a person qualifies to be obese if their body mass index goes beyond the recommended 30kg/m2 (Williams & Fru?hbeck, 2009). This means that one can obtain their body mass index by dividing their total body mass in kilograms by the square of their height in meters. Despite the fact that many people around the world live with obesity, doctors point out that the condition can predispose one to various lifestyle disease such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, type II diabetes, kidney disease, and obstructive sleep (Heshmat, 2011). Although unhealthy lifestyle contributes significantly to most cases of obesity, it is appropriate to note that some individuals become obese due to genetic predisposition (Bailey, 2006). In this respect, they may practice a healthy lifestyle but still end up with excess weight, as their lineage may influence (Williams & Fru?hbeck, 2009).  Despite the fact that obesity can be a very discomforting condition granted its susceptibility, there is a sigh of relief for those who would wish to manage this condition (Heshmat, 2011). Certainly, either one can practice a healthy lifestyle in order to prevent their bodies from becoming obese, or they could as well exercise similar regimens to manage an already existing obesity (Williams & Fru?hbeck, 2009). Primarily, a healthy eating habit is the best remedy for preventing obesity and suppressing its effects on individuals that already have the condition. Indeed, a healthy choice of food involves a number of aspects that may require a person to be well informed if they are to achieve the full benefits of healthy eating (Heshmat, 2011). As most people say, food is good for the body in order to ensure growth and development of various body parts (Bailey, 2006). However, too much consumption of the same or just wrong choices of food may increase the risk of a person to obesity (Williams & Fru?hbeck, 2009).  In the above respect, there are various kinds of healthy foods with each being responsible for various bodily benefits. To begin with, lean meat is highly encouraged as opposed to meat containing other fatty tissues (Williams & Fru?hbeck, 2009). This is because lean meat contributes to most of the protein that the body requires without necessarily increasing the fat content of the body to a significant level (Bailey, 2006). Conversely, fresh fruits and vegetables not only provide the relevant vitamins the body needs but they also act as antioxidants in addition to having been known to aid in increasing the metabolism of the body. Lastly but more importantly, it goes without saying that whole grains are the in thing when it comes to healthy eating and prevention of excessive weight gain due to their fiber content (Williams & Fru?hbeck, 2009). In as much as these foods are healthy, it is prudent to recognize that any inclusion of such unhealthy foods such as breads, desserts, and pastas spoil the whole formulation and may increase the risks of obesity to unexpected levels. This is because these foods are mainly considered as junks that do not have any significant contribution to the bodily requirements in terms of nutrients but they purpose is just to lay the foundation or simply fill the stomach (Bailey, 2006). In full recognition of the fact that most people are unable to keep abreast of their nutrient requirement and healthy eating habits, it is recommended that they incorporate an exercise regimen that will increase their metabolism (Bailey, 2006). In essence, exercise has several benefits ranging from keeping at bay from lifestyle illnesses to increasing the fat burning process through enhanced metabolism (Bouchard, 2000). In this regard, exercise can be defined as any activity that physically engages various muscles of the body necessitating the release of energy and in effect, the metabolism of the body is increased (Williams & Fru?hbeck, 2009). There are various kinds of exercises ranging from high intensity to low intensity depending on the goals of the involved individuals. In this case, an individual may exercise at the gym or even in the open field where they can choose to either lift weights or work out their bodies through various forms of aerobics (Bouchard, 2000). A good and simple form of exercise regime may include walking away the pounds where the frequency and duration of walking depends on individual goals (Heshmat, 2011). Ordinarily, one can walk 3 days a week for 30 minutes at brisk pace regardless of whether they are obese or not, as everybody runs the risk of becoming obese at one time or the other (Bouchard, 2000). I personally think that this proposal will be beneficial to me because it will help me lose more body fat and reduce the risk of becoming obese. This will in turn dispel any fears of contracting lifestyle diseases, as the chances of these will be minimal. References Bailey, E. J. (2006). Food choice and obesity in Black America: Creating a new cultural diet. Westport, Conn: Praeger. Bouchard, C. (2000). Physical activity and obesity. Champaign, Ill: Human Kinetics. Heshmat, S. (2011). Eating behavior and obesity: Behavioral economics strategies for health professionals. New York: Springer Pub. Co. Williams, G., & Fru?hbeck, G. (2009). Obesity: Science to practice. Chichester, UK: Wiley. Read More