3 Lifestyle Diseases That Can Suck the Life Out of You
I have personally been affected with one of these lifestyle diseases, it wasn’t pretty but I overcame it. I know that everyone has such a story of being affected with an addiction, obesity or depression which can also be considered as a health crisis too.
The people affected by these are not a small number because the world population is vast and growing every year. According to Worldometers, the current world population is 7.7 billion as of September 2019 as per the most recent United Nations estimates.
This type of diseases are non-communicable diseases. According to World Health Organisation (WHO), non-communicable diseases are now the leading cause of death around the world. Lifestyle diseases are responsible for 63 per cent of global deaths based on WHO's estimates for 2008.
I did my research and found out that this is not something to be ignored. There is always a kind of shame if you are either faced with obesity, an addiction or depression but that shouldn’t be the case.
I had an addiction problem and the last thing anyone wants to fill is that you are alone. It can be overwhelming, scary and seeing a solution to the crisis seems impossible.
What my research reveals is that there is a crisis. So let’s check out these non-communicable diseases, one by one. Because when you know them, you can become aware of them.
- 1. Deadly Obesity
You know that this problem that has plagued every corner of the world and a universal problem and challenge.
You have been obese before or know a friend who is obese too. Health wise obesity isn’t great for your body, you are at higher risk of diseases that you wouldn’t be likely to have if you were fit.
Of course combating obesity is not a walk in the park although you can start by taking walks as a great exercise. It will not be easy but having the type of body you crave for and want is definitely worthwhile.
Your lifestyle has to change and with it many more other changes have to be made like eating more natural foods and avoiding processed foods like a plague.
Yeah it seems drastic and far-fetched but taking care of your body and health has to be the first priority for you. Settling for fruits and vegetables will be a much healthier option for you, but the allure of continuing to eat the unhealthy snacks and junk will be a continuous battle that you need to win.
According to data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2013–2014, more than 1 in 3 adults were considered to be overweight. More than 2 in 3 adults were considered to be overweight or have obesity. More than 1 in 3 adults were considered to have obesity. About 1 in 13 adults were considered to have extreme obesity. About 1 in 6 children and adolescents ages 2 to 19 were considered to have obesity.
Over the past 30 years, the prevalence of obesity has quadrupled among adolescents in the United States. In 2011-2012, 20.5% of youth aged 12-19 years were obese, 14.0% were overweight, and 61.9% were of normal weight, and 3.6% were underweight. Overweight and obesity in adolescence is associated with overweight and obesity in adulthood, according to Child Health USA 2014.
Your obesity cannot be avoided or ignored because this is your welfare and health that you need to keep in mind. Being obese makes you more prevalent to diseases. The disadvantages of being obese outweigh the advantages if any but you already know that.
So what you need to do is have that obesity in check by changing everything from your diet to doing exercises. The best way to combat your obesity is by doing some form of exercise or push-ups.
According to Stanford Health Care, people generally become overweight or obese because they don’t get enough physical activity in combination with poor eating habits.
Lifestyle diseases like obesity are a worldwide phenomena but there are ways to change it. There are things you can definitely do to change this situation like dieting or exercising.
- 2. Toxic Addiction
According to the Cambridge Dictionary, addiction is an inability to stop doing or using something, especially something harmful.
There are many different forms of addiction but the most popular ones are drug addiction, porn addiction and gaming addiction. You have had some form of addiction and know that getting out of addiction is the big challenge.
With the easiness of having access to these drugs and porn, they have made being an addict all too easy. Whatever the addiction might be, it will take effort, time and self-discipline to conquer that addiction.
Take care of that addiction so that you’ll be able to have a more fulfilled life. It's a lifestyle disease therefore you can change it if you wish, you have the power.
According to addiction experts and psychologists the most common addictions today are tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, painkillers, cocaine, heroin, gambling, sex and internet addiction as highlighted by The Dawn Medical Rehab and Wellness Centre.
- 3. Costly Depression as a Lifestyle Disease.
According to Verywell mind, depression affects everyone with
- The median age of depression onset is 32.5 years old.
- The prevalence of adults with a major depressive episode is highest among individuals between 18 and 25.
- 11.3% of adults who report two or more races have experienced a major depressive episode in the past year
- 8.7% of women have depression
- 5.3% of men have depression
This has become a prevalent problem today or this decade than any other time in history. There are various challenges that everyone faces in life and they most likely seem like a big monster that can’t be conquered.
Such struggles and challenges can lead you in a downward spiral of negativity. Life seems less exciting and slowly but surely depression kicks in.
Depression has an impact on you and can also lead to suicide. It’s not easy being excited about anything in your moments of depression. Life seems tough and inspiration and purpose to exist seems unworthy to you. This is also where anxiety flourishes.
Conclusion
You are living in times where challenges are rising up from everywhere. Technology has enabled things to be must easier but there exists problems that have come arisen due to this.
It isn’t surprising that how fast innovation is progression so are the number of people having or experiencing these lifestyle diseases.
Almost every person has experienced obesity, addiction and depression. It isn’t easy admitting that you have these issues but the good news is that there are very many platforms that can help you with these problems. You don’t have to reveal your real identity in some, it can be anonymous and you’ll fight that challenge.
Have you experienced some of these challenges? Do you know of any other major lifestyle or non-communicable disease that I haven’t mentioned?
If so then do share and tell in the comments section below. I would love to hear from you. Also share this with your family and friends, sharing is caring.
Talk soon.
-Michael Kamenya
