This is a statistic I read in the book “The Hacking of the American Mind” by Robert H. Lustig. In addition, he mentions that 80% of obese people will suffer from metabolic disease. This also means that 20% of overweight and obese people will not be affected. To me, both data points were shocking.
Without any information on the subject, I would’ve thought that almost 100% of obese individuals would be at risk and that a small percentage of people of average weight would be. Say 5% of the population or so. To learn that 40% of normal-weight individuals are still at risk drills home the importance of our lifestyle choices even when we “look” healthy.
What is metabolic disease?
Also called metabolic syndrome, the conditions are:
- Heart disease
- Stroke and;
- Type 2 diabetes.
20% of young adults and
over 50% of people over 60
have metabolic syndrome
What are the symptoms of Metabolic Disease:
Most disorders associated with metabolic disease don’t have obvious signs or symptoms. As a visible sign, a large waist circumference could be an indicator. And if your blood sugar is high, you might notice the signs and symptoms of diabetes — such as increased thirst and urination, fatigue, and blurred vision.
What causes Metabolic Disease:
When it comes to what causes Metabolic Disease, we have three culprits:
Metabolic disease is closely linked to overweight and obesity
It is also linked to inactivity
And finally, insulin resistance
Prevention:
Now that we know what it is and how prevalent it is. If we decide to be proactive, what can we do?
The Mayo Clinic recommends that a lifelong commitment to a healthy lifestyle may prevent the conditions that cause metabolic syndrome.
This includes:
Moving well and moving often. Getting at least 30 minutes of physical activity most days.
Eating well. Plenty of vegetables, fruits, lean protein and whole grains while minimizing processed and sugary foods.
Maintaining a healthy weight.
Not smoking.
Conclusion:
If you are reading our newsletter, it is very likely that you are active and are taking care of your health. If you read this far and are thinking, “I’m glad I’m doing everything I can to avoid Metabolic Disease,” I applaud you. However, I have a challenge for you. Because you likely know someone that has or is at risk of Metabolic Disease, I’d like to invite you to be an influencer in your inner circle and help people move more. It can be as simple as taking them for a walk once or twice a week or as more challenging as inviting them to work out with you. Whatever it is, we all have the power to support each other and live a healthy lifestyle. If you have any suggestions on how we can help, please send us a message and let us know.
Suppose you read this article and thought, “Oh boy! I’ve neglected myself and need to get back into it.” That’s great. Focusing on your health might be the incentive you need. You can start by reading my blog article “3 Tips For Baby Boomers Starting Their Fitness Journey”.
We are just a phone call or email away. Please reach out if you want us to help you improve your health.
Yours in fitness,
Coach Guy