Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Summary: Approximately 2 billion people globally are either obese or overweight and have a higher risk of chronic diseases[1]. High consumption of meat, dairy and energy-dense foods are linked to obesity[1,3,5]. Advertisement Obesity Explained Obesity can be defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation in the body and can be a hindrance to perfect health. World health organization (WHO) considers obesity as one of the five leading risk factors for death related to non-communicable diseases [2]. Body Mass Index (BMI), a universal index used to classify obesity and overweight is a simple ratio of a person body’s weight to his/her height in sq. metres. A person with BMI ratio greater than or equal to 25 is considered obese and a ratio greater than or equal to 30 is considered overweight [1]. WHO states that obesity has tripled between 1975 and 2016 [1]. Quick Stats About Obesity – 2016 Data [1]. 0 Million Children are Obese 0 Million Adults are Obese 0 Billion Adults are Overweight Obesity in children is a massive concern. Researchers estimate that an obese child is much more likely to be an obese adult. They are also at a higher risk of disability in adulthood, breathing difficulties, hypertension and even premature death. The map below map shows the percentage of adults per country who are defined as obese. Source: World Health Observatory & Our World in Data (2016) Interestingly, most of the countries with the highest percentage of obesity population are also the biggest meat-eating countries. Average total meat supply per person measured in kilograms per year Source: World Health Observatory & Our World in Data (2013) On the other hand, multiple studies have pointed out that vegans tend to have a lower BMI as compared to vegetarians or non-vegetarians. They are also more likely of losing weight by eating plant proteins which is low on fatty acids[3,6,7]. Advertisement Risks

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Chronic Diseases Risk Due To Obesity Raised BMI or being obese increases the risk of major non-communicable diseases like cardiovascular heart diseases, cancer and diabetes [1,2]. World Health Organization claims that obesity is no longer a problem only in high-income countries but also spreading rapidly in low and middle-income countries, particularly in urban settings. Advertisement Cancer And Obesity According to the International Agency for Cancer Research (IARC), being obese or overweight increases the risk of 12 different types of cancer. Source: International Agency for Cancer Research More importantly, having abdominal fat can do more damage than just being obese. As per Cancer Research UK, excess body fat can cause insulin and growth factors levels in the body to rise which in turn gives signals to the cells to divide more often, thereby increasing the possibility of cancer[25]. Source: Cancer Research UK Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD) And Obesity Global Atlas report on Cardiovascular diseases from WHO states that there is a strong correlation between obesity and major cardiovascular risk factors such as raised blood pressure, glucose intolerance, type 2 diabetes and dyslipidaemia [2]. Scientists have repeatedly claimed that obese people tend to have higher levels of LDL cholesterols, and lower levels of HDL cholesterol and fasting plasma triglycerides in their bloodstream which are known to be a cause for arteries getting blocked [20]. Diabetes And Obesity Obesity is the strongest risk factor for Type-2 diabetes, and it is estimated that 90% of diabetic people are either obese or overweight [11]. Higher waist circumference and higher body mass index have a strong relationship with diabetes and insulin resistance [13]. As per research, abdominal obesity causes fat cells to release inflammatory mediators that can lead to insulin resistance, impaired glucose levels and eventually diabetes [13]. Insulin sensitivity is also affected when fat molecules are released into the blood due to change in the body’s metabolism [13]. Although obesity and weight gain can worsen insulin resistance, medical experts also believe that weight loss slows the progression of diabetes complications [11]. Advertisement Facts Causes

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Causes of Obesity WHO states that an energy imbalance between calories consumed and calories expended is the fundamental cause of obesity and overweight [1]. Increased intake of energy-dense foods that are high in fat and glycaemic index as well as physical inactivity can lead to energy imbalance [1,5]. Saturated Fats Saturated fatty acids found in food from animal sources like meat, butter, milk, cheese, ghee, salmon and egg yolk can elevate bad cholesterol levels in the body and significantly increase hip to waist ratio [22,12]. Multiple studies have linked a positive association of high meat consumption to obesity, higher Body Mass Index and waist circumference[7,12]. China, for example, has witnessed a massive growth in the past few decades. However, with the increasing income, chinese meat consumption has more than doubled between 1993 and 2006 [4]. A study done over a period of 2 decades with more 16,000 participants found a strong co-relation between meat consumption and obesity, especially abdominal obesity [4]. Similarly, trans-fatty acids found naturally in ruminant animals like cattle, sheep, goats, camels, etc and in industrially processed partially hydrogenated oil can also have a negative effect on the cholesterol levels [21]. Dalda, a type of vegetable ghee or clarified butter and a major source of edible oil in India, has a trans-fat level of about 50% and has been attributed as a major cause for rising obesity levels in India in spite of low meat consumption [5]. Advertisement Excessive Animal Protein A diet that is low in carbs and high in animal protein (Atkins diet) has been recommended for weight loss, but researchers have questioned the long-term gains of these diets [8,9,10]. Clinical studies have concluded that although many people claimed losing weight initially following the above diet, eventually did put on weight after following the same diet for more than 6 months [7,10]. Recent research conducted after collating data from 170 countries found out red meat and obesity are closely related. It is believed that when excess animal protein is consumed (i.e. more than 25% of the total calorie intake), due to its slower digestion rate it is converted and stored as fats and the person has a 23% higher risk of becoming overweight(6,7,10). Furthermore, a study done in the UK found that even chicken, considered to be a leaner protein source, provide more fat-energy than protein-energy[18]. Energy-Dense Foods Frequent consumption of high energy foods, such as processed foods, refined carbohydrates and sugary drinks that are high in fats and sugars promotes obesity [1]. Foods high on the glycaemic index and glycemic load like white rice, potatoes, white pasta etc. have also been linked to a higher waist-to-hip ratio and Body mass index. Advertisement Risks Conclusions