Obesity: an epidemic that is moving… and involves us all

Argentina, 2011-October declared by the who the epidemic of the 21st century ”, and confirmed its growth by the second survey on risk factors in non-communicable diseases. Obesity and overweight, represent a threat for the poor diet and lack of physical activity that involves the entire population. The FAC, the FBA and the Ministry of health of the nation assume a commitment to combat this scourge.

According to the above-mentioned survey, conducted by the Ministry of health of the nation, in the Argentina obesity is one of the scourges that has most increased in relation to other risk factors which have even fallen. Overweight maintained the percentage of 35.4%, during the above-mentioned period, while obesity rose 14.6% to 18%. Contributing to this situation, bad eating habits that sampling indicates that only 4.8 per cent consumed daily 5 servings of fruits and vegetables, i.e., 1 of every 20 Argentines eat 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily, as recommended by the World Health Organization ”. In addition, 25.4 per cent always add salt to meals. Smoking for example fell, as well as the levels of exposure to tobacco smoke outside, thanks to the laws governing the protection of the so-called passive smoking ”.

The idle physical Argentine for his part as well as obesity, were in crescendo. Physical inactivity step of 46.2 per cent in 2005 to 54.9% in 2009, in a scenario that shows that 53.4 per cent of the population is overweight and obesity.

Campaign 100,000 hearts for a healthy change 5th. Edition

the fight against obesity involves us all ”

from the perspective of this reality and this motto, the Argentina Federation of Cardiology (FAC), the Ministry of health of the nation (MSN) and the Foundation biochemistry Argentina (FBA), put in place the 5th Edition of the national campaign 100,000 hearts for A change healthy ”, during the month of November. This year the commitment is to join forces to combat obesity and overweight, disease affecting more than 40% of the Argentine population, which according to who is the epidemic of the 21st century.

This campaign, like the four previous editions, is based on three axes healthy eating, physical activity, and 100% smoke-free environments ”, in order to introduce changes in daily habits to reduce cardiovascular risk factors that are still the leading cause of death worldwide. The central focus of the campaign in this opportunity is to work on those factors of overweight and obesity.

why the fight against obesity INVOLUCRA us all?

It is mainly due to a diet rich in fats and sugars and low in vitamins, minerals and fibres, to which we add little physical activity. This way of life of the majority of Argentines is dangerous for health.

The campaign, and so it comes from previous years is intended to the motorization of activities throughout the country that can raise awareness about the prevention of obesity and overweight with a healthy eating and active living, to regulate the weight and protect the health. Everyone can participate by proposing activities, completing a simple form, and becoming a reference in their community, as a promoter of health.

While part of an individual choice: choose healthy lifestyle habits, implies a strong coordination between the national State, scientific institutions and each effector of health of our vast country, that has been extensively studied the positive impact of law regulatory to protect and create good habits and the collective construction of healthy environments.

In this Fifth Edition, the organizers seek to get a message of healthy living to more Argentines in every city in the country and overcome more than 1000 activities of more than 100 institutions that were conducted throughout the country in 2010.