This is the main cause of obesity today
In our increasingly modern, fast-paced life, where technology keeps advancing, there is one single thing becoming more sedentary: humans!
The basic law of physics is this: "Energy is never lost." Energy is in a state of dynamic transformation. The energy of wind turns into electricity; the kinetic energy of water turns into power; and unused energy turns into matter. My aim is not to tire you out with too many rules of physics and chemistry; what I mean to say is that when the excess energy (calories) we take in through food (beyond our needs) cannot be expended, it turns into fat (matter). This is the main cause of obesity today!
WHAT SENTENCES DO WE BEGIN TO SAY...
While what I've said applies more to large and modern city life, the battle against obesity and weight is more a problem for people living in big cities. In a city like Istanbul, we wake up early in the morning and drive our cars right up to the door of our workplace. Either we have desk jobs and spend our day sitting in a chair, or we again reach the places we need to go with our cars that bring us right to our door.
When it's time to return home in the evening, we again get in our cars, park as close to the elevator as possible, and take the elevator right up to our front door. After days spent this way, we probably end our day with high-calorie meals eaten late at night.
Every factor — lifestyle, circumstances, habits, preferences, obligations — is a separate topic of discussion in itself. But there is one fact: if we take in more calories than our basal energy needed to sustain our vital functions plus the energy we expend, we gain weight in parallel with aging. And we begin to say things like: "I used to eat this much, even more, but I never gained weight," or "Nothing has changed in my life, but I'm gaining weight." Weight gain and obesity are a very broad topic, one in which psychology and emotions play the largest role. Within the topic of obesity, there are also many factors overlooked by modern medicine that I will discuss in my later articles — such as food sensitivity, gut flora imbalance, intestinal fungi, and heavy metal burden.
GET MOVING!
In this article, as an extension of a basic physical law, and as a doctor, I want to underline the following in the simplest way possible. Get moving!
We have basic needs for a healthy life: eating healthily and in a balanced way, drinking plenty of water, sleeping healthily, and exercising regularly.
We recommend regular exercise at least three days a week. Not everyone may have access to a gym or a swimming pool. But I believe everyone has the opportunity to go for a walk. I'm talking about walking for at least half an hour a day. But I mean walking done in sportswear with the goal of a healthy life. I believe this walk should be done every day of the week. Because I believe, and recommend, that everyone should have at least half an hour to devote to themselves within their dedicated and hectic life.
If you can't even manage that, at least try to break free from a car-dependent life. Park your car a little further from your workplace, or get off the bus one stop earlier, park in a spot far from the entrance, and try to walk to your daily errands...
We cannot be healthy by staying seated and eating as much as we want...
In my next article, I will address the topic of "healthy eating and recommendations for it."