Obesity in Bangladesh

Obesity of a world problem nowadays. Bangladesh land curse populated low-income country with shortage of foods and balance diets. Recently, it entered the middle-income countries which means people now has more buying power. They can now spend more for better live. With the solvency obesity is now becoming a concerning issue in the country. 

The new generation likes fast-food more compared to the home-made food. A lot of people including women are working outside and have less time to cook food at home. Most of the working people are taking their midday meal in the restaurant’s fast-food shop. The children have more access to foods, but they are ignoring the dietary value of foods.  

From the previous decade, there is an uplift of poor class to middle class, and they like to hang out in the fast-food shops. This unhealthy food habit increases the risk of obesity.

 

Overweight/obese trend among Bangladeshi women

According to the report of the university of Washington over the last 33 years, the rates of overweight people being doubled. In the decade of 80 only 7 % adults and 3 % children were overweight. According to ICDDRB’s report in 2017-18, 26 % of women and 15 % of men are overweight among them 2 % men and 6.5 % women are obese. The obese problem among women is 6 times higher than men. 

 

Obesity trend among women in 9 different countries

Overweight is defined by Body Mass Index (BMI). The BMI index for the overweight people is as 25-30 whereas obese is above 30. 

According to the global studies, more that 50 % of obese people live in 10 countries naming US, China, India, Russia, Brazil, Mexico, Egypt, Germany, Pakistan and Indonesia.

 

Obesity trend among men in 9 different countries

Health risk for overweight and/or obese people

•       Cardiovascular disease
•       Cancer
•       Diabetes
•       Osteoarthritis
•        Chronic Kidney disease
•       Difficulties to being pregnant for woman
•       High blood pressure 
•       Heart attack
•       Stroke 

 

Drivers for overweight/obese

•       Insufficient physical activities
•       Soft drink consumption
•       Fast food consumption
•       Processed meat consumption
•       Depression
•       Anxiety
•       Heredity 

 

What to do to leave a healthy life

•        Diet food
•       Enough and timely sleep
•       Physical activity and exercise 
•       Avoid soft drink, fast and process food
•       Try to lead a healthy life