Russia can’t cope with obesity: a third of the country’s residents are sick

Doctors compared this new scourge to a pandemic

Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko stated an alarming fact. As follows from the minister’s presentation, almost 3.5 million people in Russia are obese. Moreover, the number of obese people is increasing year by year. The trend began in 2009. Then, during the coronavirus pandemic and self-isolation, it grew like a snowball. As a result, now, according to the ministry, about 36% of Russians are overweight.

The problem manifested itself so loudly that the Ministry of Health warned about a new disease.

“Obesity in general is today considered a non-infectious pandemic of the 21st century…,” stated Mikhail Murashko at the international congress “Obesity and Metabolic Disorders.”

Earlier, the minister noted another bad trend: adolescents aged 15-17 years are increasingly suffering from obesity in Russia. To solve this problem, it is proposed to ban advertising that creates in children a positive image of products that do not comply with the principles of a healthy diet.

Not long ago, people in Russia read with interest news about fat Americans. The reason for the nation’s obesity was called the love of traditional American food: fast food and sweet soda. What determines the trend towards obesity among Russians, said nutritionist and nutritionist Alexandra Khromova.

– We must admit that the fashion for fast carbohydrates has spread widely in Russia. But it should be taken into account that fast food American sandwich shops mainly exist only in large cities. There are not so many of them a little further from the capital, and people are overweight throughout the country.

I assume, of course, that the adoption of the fast food format instead of the traditional full meal affects overall weight gain. But we shouldn’t discount Russians’ traditional love for beer. Over the past 20 decades, women have also joined this drink. Nowadays, beer-loving girls have matured, their age has exceeded 40 years, and during this period weight is easily gained and difficult to lose.

Therefore, I would suggest first of all to refuse or limit the consumption of low-alcohol drinks. In addition, you need to eat a balanced diet.

– But in Rus’, completeness has always been valued. A woman with a full body was considered seductive, and a plump man was considered rich. So, maybe you shouldn’t lose weight too dramatically?

– The fashion for fat people appeared when in Russia, of all types of luxuries, only nutritious food was available. This was considered wealth. Now, fortunately, the problem of feeding the country is over. Other categories are considered attractive, for example, expensive clothes, a beautiful car, spectacular photos on social networks. To look good in stylish things, you need to be thin. One can argue with this statement for a long time, but the fact remains a fact. Therefore, a fit figure, a healthy appearance, a balanced diet – this is what modern beauty means in Russian.

– What is the best way to lose weight?

– There are a great many diets. But the main thing is to limit calorie intake. If you eat little, you will probably lose weight. Therefore, calculate your indicator and count calories. As for exercise, you can, of course, work up a sweat in the gym. But you can find an alternative: for example, long walks or Nordic walking. This sport uses all muscle groups and does not require intense physical activity.