Currently, information on obesity and overweight is making headlines and polls in the media. These data worry sociologists and health professionals, from family doctors to nutritionists, and every day more traumatologists.
This is the case of Manuel Villanueva , medical director of avanfi.com , who explains that the overweight population suffers the most injuries . The traumatologist, four times awarded by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, stresses the need to prevent overweight from school age and treat injuries using pioneering techniques, such as ultrasound-guided surgery, introduced by him in our country.
The higher the weight, the more likely to be injured
Sedentary life, attributed to a transformation in life habits, affects cardiovascular pathologies and causes an increase in diseases such as diabetes, cholesterol or hypertension.
Our geographical environment favors the Mediterranean diet, rich in fruit, vegetables and a balanced ratio of meat and fish dishes. In addition, olive oil, high in Omega 3 content, makes it possible to substitute other products such as butter, a fatty and processed dairy. However, imported eating habits , as a consequence of globalization, induce a hypercaloric consumption, rich in sugars and polyunsaturated fats .
The percentages reveal a worrying reality in our country. The latest OECD report points to Spain as one of the European countries where this “modern epidemic” is being least controlled. 16% of adults are victims of overweight – Body Mass Index greater than 25 – and one in five Spanish children is obese – BMI greater than 30.
«Exercise is the best tool that parents, doctors and educators have to prevent this problem in minors. In the case of adults, the issue is complicated , since the aesthetic issue is very influential in a society dominated by fashion and trends. All this retracts many obese people, even some who are simply ‘plump’ when it comes to donning sportswear and going to the gym, ”says Manuel Villanueva.
With which, one of social acceptance is added to the health problem. The complexes immobilize and prevent the exercise recommended by doctors. In this sense, Dr. Villanueva recalls that “sport is for everyone” and recommends taking the first step and not getting carried away by discomfort with weight. It cannot be forgotten that with exercise you get a better quality of life and that it is more durable.
Tips before starting to play sports
The surgeon remembers the expression “everyone who has a body has an athlete inside” and advises overweight and obese people to practice sports by following the following tips:
- Simply start by moving. Get up, put down the computer and get off the couch. Each environment is full of stairs to go up and down. Nor is it negligible to walk to work or shopping. Another simple method is to participate more actively in the housework. Knowing, for example, that scrubbing the floor consumes 640 caloriesis encouraging.
- Gradually reduce calorie intakewhile burning fat with exercise.
- Check your weight weeklyto assess your progress, but without becoming obsessed.
- Let the activity be natural , never forced. It is not about becoming an elite athlete, it is better to go slowly and at a good pace. For example, the pace when walking must be able to be maintained without great effort. If we go in a group, it is good to follow our own rhythm.
- When you begin to feel better, it is advisable to try something more demanding. Whenever the body asks for it, you can start to walk faster, go to the gym, join a dance or play paddle tennis. It is important to find an activity that is attractive and will get you hooked.
Treatment for injuries
One of the great risks of launching into sports without the control of professionals is hurting your joints. “Not only in the knees, but also in the hips, ankles and lumbar spine”, states Dr. Villanueva. “In particular, posterior tibial tendonitis, achilles tendon pain, plantar fasciitis, and inflammation in the ligaments or the sole of the foot are common. Excess weight increases the pressure on the sole while standing or walking ”, adds the doctor.
Today, the medical solution goes through pioneering treatments, such as the famous Intratisular Percutaneous Electrolysis , known for its “miraculous results” in elite athletes.
On the other hand, in Avanfi-tulesióndeportiva.com, they also work with Orthokine . “It is an evolution of plasma rich in growth factors that has proven to be the most effective treatment for advanced osteoarthritis , achieving a great reduction in pain and improved mobility with long-lasting results”, explains the doctor. Also, it is an advantage when avoiding a surgical procedure. In addition, the treatments are administered under ultrasound control, which allows to achieve high success rates.
