Raising awareness about a healthy lifestyle during the showetide
AS PART OF THE EDU-FIT PROJECT, WE ARE ALSO RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE DURING THE SHROVETIDE
This year, March 4th is Shrove Tuesday, but every year on March 4th we observe World Obesity Day. It is aimed at raising awareness about the growing problem of obesity worldwide. The goal of this day is to emphasize the importance of healthy eating, regular physical activity, and to encourage the public to be aware of the consequences and risks that obesity brings to an individual's health and consequently to society as a whole. Awareness is crucial in all age groups, especially during the period when young people are studying, and, as research shows, they begin to eat less healthily. The Erasmus+ project, INCLUSIVE SOCIAL EDUCATION FIT FOR HEALTHY LIFE-STYLE - PREVENTING OBESITY IN YOUNG ADULTS (acronym EDU-FIT), led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Natalia Kaloh Vid from the Faculty of Arts, University of Maribor, and involving Prof. Dr. Vlasta Kučiš, Prof. Dr. Dušanka Mičetić Turk, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jasna Potočnik Topler, and colleagues from partner institutions in Croatia, Portugal, Slovakia, and Norway, addresses precisely these issues. Let’s not forget: a healthy diet and physical activity are key! Of course, there’s nothing wrong with enjoying a doughnut during the carnival season, but moderation is essential.
Among the important and successful strategies for raising awareness about a healthy lifestyle are stories. How to take care of one's health was discussed, among other topics, during a debate and workshop where students from the Faculty of Tourism at the University of Maribor shared their stories.
Further information about the project are available here: https://sites.google.com/g.uporto.pt/edu-fit
Obesity is a problem for several reasons, as it can negatively impact an individual's health, increase the risk of developing numerous diseases, and consequently affect society as a whole. We highlight some of the main reasons why obesity is a problem:
- Health complications: The risk of developing serious health issues such as cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, certain types of cancer, liver diseases, kidney diseases, joint problems, respiratory issues, and many other diseases.
- Quality of life: Obesity limits mobility, causes pain, reduces self-confidence, and leads to psychological problems such as depression and anxiety.
- Economic costs: Treating diseases associated with obesity and the loss of productivity due to illness can result in high economic costs for society, including healthcare services, medications, loss of working hours, and reduced productivity.
- Social consequences: Obesity can lead to social stigmatization and discrimination of individuals, which can result in social isolation, difficulties in interpersonal relationships, and reduced integration into society.
Because of these and other reasons, it is important to raise awareness among people of all generations about the importance of a healthy lifestyle, regular physical activity, and balanced diet, and to promote measures for the prevention and management of obesity at both individual and societal levels.