After magazine calls obesity ‘healthy’, here is understanding when it crosses the line – Times Now

After magazine calls obesity 'healthy', here is understanding when it crosses the line  |  Photo Credit: iStock Images

New Delhi: With the advent of the social media and the spur of the many downsides of the platform, one of the few advantages is that people have become more aware of certain issues, and started to voice them, too. They have become a little 'woke' to put it in terms of social media itself. One of the many things that they have realised and started to talk about is body shaming, insecurities about weight, height, complexion and colour and how shaming one for looking a certain way can affect their self-image, confidence, and mental health.

However, even as we promote the message to be accepting of our own bodies and of others, there is a line between not looking at your health problems as an image issue, but realising that it continues to be a health issue that will sooner or later, cause trouble. This is what happened after a leading magazine called 'obesity' as 'healthy'. While their heart was in the right place, netizens were quick to point out how there is a line between obese as a negative connotation for vanity and obesity as a health issue.

In the words of MayoClinic, obesity is a complex disease involving an excessive amount of body fat. Obesity isn't just a cosmetic concern. It is a medical problem that increases your risk of other diseases and health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and certain cancers. Obesity has also been linked to a heightened risk of the disease that has caused the current pandemic COVID-19.

Body Mass Index, also called BMI, is calculated by dividing a person's weight in kilograms, to their height in metres. This is done to get a fair idea of weight to height ratio. Since height plays a major role in determining weight, if only one of the two units is considered, it can be difficult to understand if the person actually falls in the healthy weight range, or not.

As per CDC,

A number of studies conducted over time have linked obesity with a high risk of various diseases and health conditions. Obesity has become an epidemic in various parts of the world. It has been proven to spike risk of type 2 diabetes, cancer and other diseases. However, unlike all these diseases and conditions, obesity can be reversed with a healthy diet and regular exercise, and in some cases, medical surgery.

While body-shaming is of course not acceptable, it is important to understand that accepting your flaws does not mean not considering the many ways it harms your health overall. Even as chiselled abs and bodies are not something to aim for, or at least not something to obsess over, finding a healthy balance is important. A healthy lifestyle that includes a proper exercise routine, healthy, balanced diet, and addressing any health concerns that you may have is essential to a healthy, happy, and long life.

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After magazine calls obesity 'healthy', here is understanding when it crosses the line - Times Now