March 4 is World Obesity Day, as designated by the World Obesity Federation, the global organization focused exclusively on obesity. While previous World Obesity Days have covered information and understanding, this year’s campaign theme is ‘Changing Perspectives: Let’s Talk About Obesity’, aiming for correcting misconceptions surrounding obesity and taking effective, collective action.
That last point – collective action – is of crucial importance, as obesity is far more than simply an issue for individuals, readily solved by the simplistic mantra, “eat less, move more”. You only have to glance at the shelves in supermarkets and convenience stores, check restaurant menu items, and note the advertisements we are bombarded with every day to appreciate obesity is all too often an outcome of modern life.
Obesity is on the rise globally. The World Obesity Foundation notes that in 2020, nearly 1 billion people were living with obesity – which is 1 in 7 people. The numbers are projected to rise, so that by 2035 almost 1 in 4 people may be living with obesity. This in turn has profound health implications, as obesity is associated with conditions like hypertension and diabetes, which are risk factors for the major causes of death (cardiovascular diseases).
Worse still, a significant number of consumers reported gaining weight as a result of unhealthy lifestyle habits adopted during the pandemic in the last two years, according to our Personal Habits Survey conducted in the Asia Pacific region. Among these individuals, 51% put on three to five kilograms, while 21% added six to 10 kilograms.
Ideally, to shed the extra pounds, people need to have better diets, with less processed food and more fruits and vegetables, along with protein; and get around 45 minutes of exercise every day. Yet this proves easier said than done. For instance, data on gyms has revealed that while people may sign up with good intentions, few of them persist in using them on a regular basis. However, if you can surround yourself with a supportive community of like-minded people – who likewise want to live a healthy active lifestyle, you can significantly increase the odds of reaching your goals. A study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that people who regularly walk in groups have lower blood pressure, resting heart rate, and total cholesterol.
Indeed, social support can make a difference when trying to lead a healthier life. Social support comes in various forms. For instance, family and friends can provide motivation and encouragement, along with inspiration when challenges and obstacles occur. Some people provide assistance with day-to-day activities, such as giving each other a ride to the gym, or preparing nutritious meals together. Plus, people may share information on health and fitness, encouraging one another to adopt and keep to dietary or exercise routines. And when exercising in groups, people tend to also learn new moves or techniques and tend to work harder, with a greater calming effect than when exercising alone.
At Herbalife Nutrition, we’ve seen first-hand how participation in social groups can be pivotal in helping people establish nutrition or fitness regimes, as the peer support empowers them to lead healthier lifestyles. This is chiefly through experiences gained with Nutrition Clubs operated by our distributors, which bring together people who have similar wellness goals, contributing to a sense of community and a friendly, social environment.
Many of our distributors also offer group fitness activities. Often referred to as Fit Clubs, these locations provide customers the option to participate in group exercise classes – inside the club premises or outdoors.
In this environment, losing weight becomes easier. With a community for support, guidance and encouragement, people are more committed to their weight loss journeys, sticking to their wellness routines longer and remaining enthusiastic about them.
World Obesity Day is not a day for despair, but a date to recognize – once and for all – there is a massive epidemic, and we all need to work together to get it under control. Together with our distributors, we are committed to helping address this global public health issue through sharing better knowledge and better nutrition, and building healthy communities.
The author, Stephen Conchie, is the Regional President of Herbalife Nutrition for Asia-Pacific and China