Obesity has quickly taken the country by storm. With the rampant use of fast food as dinner and the invention of mind-sucking video games, kids and adults alike are choosing to take the easy way instead of the healthy way. The easy way can make you feel happy in the immediate future but the problems that can arise from inactivity can have more of an impact on your body than you may think. Diabetes, high blood pressure and the possibility of a stroke are all serious health concerns that can arise from obesity.
Now for the surprising part; your oral health also suffers as a result of obesity. Not only is there a link between periodontal (gum) disease and obesity, obesity is actually a risk factor for periodontal diseases. This means that gum disease can be a direct result of being obese1. Conversely, if you have periodontal disease you are risk for increased body weight.
It’s time, Coloradoans, to take action against obesity! The problem is, if you are like me, exercising just doesn’t seem to always make the to-do list. The good news; it’s still warm outside which means there are many outdoor activities that will burn calories but won’t feel like exercising at all! Here are 5 ways to have fun and shed a few pounds along the way:
1) Head to a local indoor pool and paddle around. You will be amazed at how many calories swimming will burn.
2) Visit the zoo. Walking around the zoo is as good as walking around a track!
3) Go camping. Setting up the tent and building a fire will all burn calories that sitting at home watching TV can’t.
4) Go shopping. It will be exercise and retail therapy all in one day.
5) Plant a garden. Besides burning a ton of calories, using your home-grown veggies for dinner is much healthier than that drive-thru food you normally eat.
In any weather, find activities you enjoy that will melt away your chances for obesity at the same time. Your whole body (including your mouth) will be thankful!
- Karels, Ashley, and Brigette Cooper. “Obesity and Its Role in Oral Health.” 5.1 (2007). The Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practicess. Web. <http://ijahsp.nova.edu/articles/vol5num1/cooper.pdf>.