The question of whether the medical fraternity’s silence on high body fat percentage as the root cause of non-communicable diseases is due to incompetence or design is complex. While there are elements of both at play, the solution lies in addressing both incompetence through education and awareness, and challenging the design through regulatory reforms and transparency. By taking a holistic approach, we can break the cycle of NCDs and promote a healthier future.
Reviewed by Evans Mwaniki, PT
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and certain cancers are on the rise globally. Despite clear evidence linking high body fat percentage to these conditions, there seems to be a lack of urgency in addressing this issue. This raises a critical question: Is the medical fraternity’s silence on this matter due to incompetence or is it by design?
The Link Between High Body Fat Percentage and NCDs
Insulin Resistance and Diabetes
Excess body fat, particularly visceral fat, leads to insulin resistance, a precursor to type 2 diabetes. Insulin resistance impairs the body’s ability to manage blood sugar levels, leading to chronic health issues.
Cardiovascular Diseases
High body fat percentage contributes to cardiovascular diseases by increasing levels of harmful cholesterol and triglycerides while decreasing beneficial cholesterol. This imbalance causes plaque buildup in arteries, leading to heart attacks and strokes.
Inflammation and Cancer
Excess body fat results in chronic inflammation, a risk factor for various cancers. Additionally, obesity-related hormonal changes further promote cancer development.
The Case for Incompetence
Lack of Awareness
One argument for incompetence is a general lack of awareness among healthcare professionals and the public about the critical role of body fat percentage in NCDs. Medical education and public health campaigns may not sufficiently emphasize this link.
Focus on Symptom Management
The healthcare system often prioritizes managing symptoms over addressing root causes. Medical professionals may lack the training or resources to advocate for lifestyle changes, focusing instead on prescribing medications.
Complexity of Lifestyle Changes
Implementing lifestyle changes is challenging. Healthcare providers might find it easier to prescribe medication than to guide patients through comprehensive lifestyle modifications that require long-term commitment.
The Case for Design
Economic Interests
The healthcare industry, including pharmaceutical companies, profits significantly from managing chronic diseases. Medications for diabetes, heart disease, and cancer generate substantial revenue. This economic interest may discourage a focus on preventive measures, such as maintaining a healthy body fat percentage.
Influence of Big Food
The food industry, with its marketing power and lobbying influence, promotes processed foods high in sugar and unhealthy fats. These dietary choices contribute to obesity and high body fat percentage. The relationship between the food industry and health policymakers could explain the lack of aggressive public health campaigns targeting obesity.
Policy and Regulatory Gaps
There may be deliberate gaps in policies and regulations that could otherwise promote healthier lifestyles. For instance, insufficient regulations on food labeling, advertising, and urban planning that encourages physical activity could indicate a design to maintain the status quo.
Breaking the Cycle: Incompetence or Design?
Addressing Incompetence
- Enhanced Medical Training: Medical education should place greater emphasis on the role of body fat percentage in NCDs, equipping healthcare professionals to advocate for preventive measures.
- Public Health Campaigns: Governments and health organizations should launch comprehensive campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of maintaining a healthy body fat percentage.
- Accessible Resources: Providing resources and support for individuals to make sustainable lifestyle changes can mitigate the impact of incompetence in managing body fat percentage.
Challenging the Design
- Regulatory Reforms: Implementing stricter regulations on food labeling, advertising, and urban planning can create an environment conducive to healthier lifestyles.
- Transparency in Healthcare: Ensuring transparency in the relationship between healthcare providers, pharmaceutical companies, and the food industry can help mitigate conflicts of interest.
- Empowering Communities: Grassroots movements and community-based programs can empower individuals to take control of their health, challenging the systemic factors that perpetuate high body fat percentage.
Conclusion
In conclusion, whether it is incompetence or design, the critical issue remains: high body fat percentage is a significant risk factor for NCDs. Addressing this truth through comprehensive strategies will pave the way for better health outcomes globally.
At Nairobi Fitness Consulting, we believe in treating the root cause of health issues, for both Normal Weight Obesity and Visible Obesity, rather than just the symptoms. We help you with obesity screening, early diagnosis, treatment and long-term exercise therapy training. Our Obesity Treatment Centre and Human Performance Institute are dedicated to helping individuals reclaim their health through a holistic and multidisciplinary approach.
Our teams include:
- Doctors: Medical professionals who diagnose and treat obesity-related conditions.
- Physiotherapists: Experts who design and prescribe exercise therapy training regimens that target visceral fat and improve overall metabolic health through consistent and guided physical activity to reduce body fat percentage and enhance physical fitness.
- Nutritionists: Specialists who create personalized diet plans to promote healthy eating habits, weight loss and overall health.
- Psychologists: Professionals who help clients address emotional and psychological barriers to health, providing the support for behavioral changes and address issues related to obesity and treatment adherence to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
This comprehensive approach ensures that all aspects of a client’s health are addressed, leading to more effective and sustainable outcomes.
