The medical world generally defines ‘overweight’ as a condition in which a person’s weight is 10 to 20 percent higher than ‘normal’, as defined by a body mass index (BMI) of 25 to 30.
‘Obesity’ is defined as a condition in which a person’s weight is 20 percent or more above ‘normal’ weight, or has a BMI of 30 or more.
‘Morbid obesity’ refers to an individual who is either 50 to 100 percent over ‘normal’ weight, or sufficiently overweight to the point that their condition interferes with health or normal functioning.
Over 50’s we need to be worried…… at last count 79.4% of men over the age of 45 are overweight or obese and one in three women are in the same boat.
Some other facts:
1. The number one cause of death in Australia remains heart disease and cancer and stroke follow are not far behind.
2. 280 Australians are diagnosed with diabetes every day, one person every five minutes.
3. A whopping 93% of Australians are not eating enough fruit and vegetables.
4. The most popular eating destinations remain Macca’s then Subway followed by KFC, Hungry Jack’s and Domino’s Pizza.
5. And nobody seems to be interested in exercising
Research Source: The Huffington Post Australia
It’s no secret “it’s all about the food where eating” – its killing us.
From a very young age sports and fitness had always been part of my life. I have kept myself fit and yes, like many of us my fitness seesawed, but overall, I have maintained a reasonably high level of fitness all my life. During that time, I also maintained what I thought was a healthy Mediterranean diet, however in 2003 I had a heart event, not a heart attack, irregular heart beat they called it, cardio arrhythmia. That event resulted in a couple of stents to open some blockages in the arteries to my heart which by the way was caused by my healthy Mediterranean diet including animal fat and processed oils.
In 2013 I had Catheter Ablation surgery to correct atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat, now cured) and have been prescribed statins to control high cholesterol and per my doctors I inherited that. Interestingly cholesterol doesn’t exist in plants it only comes from animal fats and processed foods.
Well “So What” you might say: Well!!!
There is much evidence to indicate that what we are eating is killing us. Processed foods and animal products, even in moderation, is the leading cause of modern diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer.
Furthermore, evidence suggests that adopting a Whole Food Plant Based (WFPB) approach to food will provide a wide range of benefits that will prevent disease and provide much benefit in the management of disease and sometimes reverse it.
In 2013 I decided to start my WFPB journey and haven’t regretted a moment. My cholesterol level has dramatically reduced my energy has increased, I am fitter, my recovery from exercise is amazing which allows me to train more regularly and it has been much easier to manage my weight on a plant based diet which I’d always struggled with.
Summary:
From overwhelming evidence worldwide, the health & wellness benefits of a plant based diet are undeniable.
Get started and commence reversing the effects that bad diet might have had on your health.
Adopt a new recipe and way of eating and prevent Heart disease, diabetes & stroke rather than making an appointment at the doctor for a prescription to manage it.
Diet exercise and lifestyle choices are the way to go for improved quality of life but remember “You can’t out train a bad diet” eat well.
Links to get you going:
Plant Based Health Australia: http://www.wholefoodsplantbasedhealth.com.au/
Plant Based Health Australia is a wonderful resource providing everything you need to know to get you started on your plant based journey including links to other interesting resources across the world.
A couple of my favourite recipe sites:
Cooking with Plants, many fun healthy and quick meals to prepare. https://cookingwithplants.com/
Green Evi – lovely food great articles http://greenevi.com/