Combatting obesity is above all a matter of prevention as it is easier to avoid putting weight on (in particular during childhood and adolescence) than to lose weight in adulthood. This is a public health priority in many countries.
What you can do to prevent obesity- Take regular exercise to increase the amount of fat burned off: walk for at least 40 minutes per day or avoid taking the elevator.
- Have a varied and balanced diet with at least 5 portions of fruits and vegetables per day.
- Avoid foods which have a high fat/sugar/salt content. Be wary of ready meals, which often prove to be harmful to health.
- Limit large portions.
- Monitor the body weight curve of children and teenagers regularly: as soon as a departure from the curve is observed, take action quickly without making the child feel guilty. Conversely, parents should be aware of thinness (with a BMI lower than 15) – particularly during adolescence – which may be related to an eating disorder such as anorexia.
