This week’s reading was all about weight management and body image. As someone who was struggled with these two things for some of my life, I really appreciated this chapter and tried to take everything I could from it.
The United States has the highest percentage of obesity in the world, which honestly is incredibly scary to me. A word that is used in the chapter is “obesogenic” which I think can definitely be used to describe America. While it is each individual’s responsibility to eat healthy, exercise, and maintain a healthy weight, the U.S. definitely creates a culture where it easier than not to become overweight, and the facts show this. There are probably 10 fast food chains within walking distance from my house alone, including Mcdonald’s, Wendy’s, Burger King, Honey Dew, more than one Dunkin Donuts, Domino’s, and others. Fast food is cheap and convenient and Americans love it, plain and simple. We are also a culture that LOVES going out to eat. I consider going out to eat a past time (don’t judge me, I’m a foodie). It is what I do for fun with my friends and boyfriend. I think we can all agree it’s enjoyable to sit in a nice restaurant and enjoy some yummy food. However, we are often unaware of how many calories are in the meals we choose to order, and the portion sizes are much bigger than what we would likely prepare for ourselves at home.
Obesity has not only negative physical effects, but also mental ones. While it can put you at risk for heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and other risks, it can also cause depression and anxiety. If you find you are becoming overweight, it is important to seek lifestyle changes promptly. You can talk with your doctor or nutritionist about a diet and exercise plan. Understanding mindful eating patterns and knowing what your eating triggers are is one of the best ways to avoid unnecessary and unhealthy food consumption.
My weight fluctuates all the time due to affects of my birth control and the fact that my schedule and eating times are so sporadic. Because of this it has been very hard to identify my weight going steadily up or down, which can be frustrating, and I have days where I am very self conscious and have a poor image of my body. It is very important to maintain a positive body image for yourself. Becoming obsessed with looking a certain way can lead to disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, and even exercise disorders. As long as you are doing your best to eat healthy, be active everyday, and maintain a healthy weight than you are one step closer to staying on track!
The picture I included is of me and my two best friends at the Taylor Swift concert this past summer. This way a time where I was happy and feeling very positive about my body image.
Kayla's Health and Wellness Blog 