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…man hath perversely continued to serve his lustful appetites, and he would not content himself with simple foods. Rather, he prepared for himself food that was compounded of many ingredients, of substances differing one from the other. With this… his attention was engrossed, and he abandoned the temperance and moderation of a natural way of life. The result was the engendering of diseases both violent and diverse. – Abdu’l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of Abdu’l-Baha, p. 152.
The root cause of many illnesses, Abdu’l-Baha tells us, stems from our own uncontrolled appetites. As a consequence, our culture now suffers from an epidemic of obesity and the “violent and diverse” health complications that come with it.
Obesity is the leading cause of numerous physical and psychological health problems. Obesity increases the risk of fatal conditions and chronic illnesses such as heart disease, hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, and many types of cancers. These complications reduce life quality and longevity in a profound way. During the past several decades, the prevalence of obesity has markedly increased for all groups in western society regardless of age, sex, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, education level, or geographic region.
In fact, obesity has now become a global epidemic. According to studies spanning the past thirty years, the worldwide rate of obesity has nearly doubled during that period, with the number of overweight and obese people rising from 857 million in 1980 to 2.1 billion in 2013. Obesity has even risen in the developing world, a consequence of emerging economies and urbanization. Many parts of the developing world now face a double burden of disease–while they continue to confront infectious diseases and under-nutrition, they also deal with non-communicable disease risk factors such as overweight and obesity.
More than half of the world’s population–65%–live in places where excess weight and obesity kill more than underweight. That means the world could soon reach a point where more deaths occur as a result of overweight and obesity than underweight.
Science defines obesity as individuals with excess weight and a Body Mass Index (BMI) of over 30. Obesity is attributed to many factors, influenced by genetics and shaped by behavioral choices. It is also exacerbated by environmental and social factors such as poverty and inadequate community resources for the most vulnerable.
Fundamentally, obesity results from an energy imbalance. This involves taking in too many calories and not getting sufficient physical activity to burn those calories. Increased consumption of high-calorie, energy-dense food; eating a diet high in fat and sugar content; and limited physical activity due to increased sedentary activities all have a significant impact on increasing rates of obesity.
In order to avoid chronic diseases and an early death, obese and overweight individuals must lose weight. The best way to lose weight is to do it gradually and steadily. Healthy weight loss occurs when people make ongoing, long-term changes in lifestyle. To achieve healthy weight, one should control energy intake from total fats; switch fat consumption from trans fatty acids and saturated fat to unsaturated fats; and limit the free sugar and salt intake from all sources. Also, one should consume more fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grain and nuts.
Studies have shown that both underweight and overweight individuals can be under-nourished. If they don’t eat healthy and nutritious foods, overweight individuals may only get a lot of calories, but not a lot of nutrients. We should seek simple, healthy, choices and get a sufficient amount of nutrition to help us prevent obesity and maintain a healthy weight.
What does all this have to do with the spiritual teachings of the Baha’i Faith? Baha’u’llah advises us all to live our lives with moderation and eat simply:
In all circumstances they should conduct themselves with moderation; if the meal be only one course this is more pleasing in the sight of God; however, according to their means, they should seek to have this single dish be of good quality. – Baha’u’llah, quoted in Dr. J.E. Esselmont’s Baha’u’llah and the New Era, p. 106.
The Baha’i teachings actually tell us that the right diet can improve everyone’s general health:
At whatever time highly-skilled physicians shall have developed the healing of illnesses by means of foods, and shall make provision for simple foods, and shall prohibit humankind from living as slaves to their lustful appetites, it is certain that the incidence of chronic and diversified illnesses will abate, and the general health of all mankind will be much improved. This is destined to come about. In the same way, in the character, the conduct and the manners of men, universal modifications will be made. – Abdu’l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of Abdu’l-Baha, p. 156.
The next time you sit down to eat, keep this good advice in mind: eat simply and in moderation.
Faraneh Hedayati, who recently completed her Masters Degree in Public Health, lives in Los Angeles.
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Comments
To me the principles of unity, acceptance, and diversity include accepting people of different shapes, sizes, abilities, etc.
I don't believe justifying this sort of body shaming nonsense with religion suits me. Perhaps this is not the faith for me.
Another thing that is very much undervalued is that we simply do not get enough nourishment from our food. The vegs and fruit that I can buy now in the shops are modified, tampered with. Very unlike the fruits and vegs I got when I was growing up in the 70s. They also often travel far before they reach the shops where I buy them. Your article is not at all touching on these subjects. There are many many factors why people are obese, and only one of them is a bad diet.
The use of the term “dependence” can be a source of confusion, ...as health care providers often assume that addiction is synonymous with physical dependence. In fact, addiction implies both physical dependence and some form of loss of control.
Substance dependence, or addiction, as defined by the DSM-IV, is indicated by the presence of three or more of the criteria listed below in the last 12 months. Note that all but the first two criteria reflect some form of loss of control over the use of or effects of the drug.
Tolerance: Does the patient tend to need more of the drug (food) over time to get the same effect? (Remember when one donut was enough? Or one small bag of potato chips? Is it like that now?)
Withdrawal symptoms: Does the patient experience withdrawal symptoms when he or she does not use the drug? (Think of all the diets you've been on. Sure, you lost weight. You might have even felt elated when the numbers started going down. But how did you feel after years of dieting, your weight keeps going up and you have to go on yet another one? Did the goodies your co-workers left in break room call to you? Did you feel miserable and left out watching everyone else enjoy the treats? That's part of withdrawal. Feeling tired and grouchy is another part.)
Continued use of drug despite harm: Is the patient experiencing physical or psychological harm from the drug? (The physical part is obvious: weight gain. But the psychological part seems subtle, except it isn't to everyone else in your life. Favorite thing to do: Go out to eat. Or find a good recipe to try. Go to the movies with the kids or friends? Can't tell them that the seats are too small and uncomfortable. And they complain about the tubs of popcorn you're constantly eating. Forget about going to the beach or horseback riding. Or you go, but you feel like everyone is staring at you. You'd rather stay home and binge watch your favorite shows on Netflix surrounded by your favorite treats. Besides, Costco has those HUGE bags!)
Loss of control: Does the patient take the drug in larger amounts, or for longer than planned? (One slice of pizza or one small hamburger used to do it for you. Now it's half a pizza with garlic twists and wings, or a triple cheeseburger with extra large fries and a large milkshake. One or two hours later, you're looking for something else to eat, even though you feel stuffed and miserable.)
Attempts to cut down: Has the patient made a conscious, but unsuccessful, effort to reduce his or her drug use? (Attempts to cut down is the same as dieting, or cutting your portions in half. How long has that ever worked? Six months? One month? One week? One day? One hour?)
Salience: Does the patient spend significant time obtaining or thinking about the drug, or recovering from its effects?
Reduced involvement: Has the patient given up or reduced his or her involvement in social, occupational or recreational activities due to the drug? (I can't wait until my break. I wonder if the food truck has fresh muffins today? Maybe I'll go to Starbucks. Oh no, I don't have enough money on me! Maybe I can make it to the nearest ATM, get a Venti Mocha Frappuccino and a brownie and be back before break is over....)
Source material: http://knowledgex.camh.net/primary_care/toolkits/addiction_toolkit/fundamentals/Pages/faq_dsmiv_criteria.aspx (The comments in the parantheses are mine.)
http://www.dsm5.org/Documents/Substance%20Use%20Disorder%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf
http://www.foodaddicts.org/am-i-a-food-addict