Currently, there are as many as seven million adults living with obesity in Canada. As we know, obesity is closely connected to several chronic conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, as well as some types of cancer.
According to Dr. Sean Wharton of the Wharton Medical Clinic in Ontario, who is an obesity expert and spent more than 20 years studying this medical condition, losing weight is not depending only on engaging in more physical activity and eating less. In his opinion, obesity is a chronic disease that can have relapses and having success conquering this condition relies on following a much more extensive treatment, including people changing their perceptions towards this.
Other organizations also agree on this
There are certain organizations that seem to agree with Dr. Wharton. The Canadian Medical Association and Obesity Canada also believe that obesity is a chronic disease. As stated by the doctor, people need to start changing their perceptions about obesity and understand that it is not a choice, similar to how mental illness is also not something that people choose to have. He believes that thinking about obesity as a chronic disease will change our beliefs about it. After all, this happened with mental health problems over the past 10 years, as more people are talking more freely about it.
Changing our perception of obesity will have significant results in the future
Therefore, Dr. Wharton thinks that in order to be able to treat and manage obesity in an effective way, a shift in people’s perception needs to happen – obesity has to be considered a chronic disease and not a choice. This will definitely help people avoid unhealthy-control practices in the future. Most importantly, obesity can have various causes, many of which are out of people’s control, such as one’s genes, the environment, lack of sleep, emotional health, as well as other medical issues.
Laura grew up in a small town in northern Quebec. She studied chemistry in college, graduated, and married her husband one month later. They were then blessed with two baby boys within the first four years of marriage. Having babies gave their family a desire to return to the old paths – to nourish their family with traditional, homegrown foods; rid their home of toxic chemicals and petroleum products; and give their boys a chance to know a simple, sustainable way of life. They are currently building a homestead from scratch on two little acres in central Texas. There’s a lot to be done to become somewhat self-sufficient, but they are debt-free and get to spend their days living this simple, good life together with their five young children. Laura is an advocate for people with disabilities.
I agree with this article. Yes there are people who are obese because of eating junk and too much but that sure does not account for what I see and have experienced most of my life.
I go to the gym 4 times a week for several hours and do at least 3 miles with a 2.5 incline at a rate of 3.2 mph as well as the weights and rowing machine. I eat one meal a day and little to no bread etc. and still cannot lose a lb and am obese.
Mother was obese and Grand Father was as well and neither ate junk nor too much. Drs. seem to have no answers and very frustrating but I am now in late 70s so perhaps any damage has been done.