Overweight – Cultural and Educational Aspects

Today the natural produced food in which nutrients and calories are well balanced is more expensive than industrial produced food. Besides the financial means, understanding the benefits of healthy nurturing and making the correct choices is a cultural issue. Also the education level is correlated with health; educated individuals report higher sense of control which is associated with better health. Before and in parallel with formal education, children acquire life habits in family. Therefore parents have an important responsibility in promoting a healthy life style in family and thereby giving a good example to their children. A sedentary life has a proven influence over the children’s body weight. The purpose of this study is to promote the idea of education for a healthy life in Romania. In support of this I surveyed a number of studies about overweight in relation with education, self image, regional culture or the influence of media over body perceptions. Landmarks that society promotes are really severe especially for girls and it puts them in a position of inferiority, repercussions on self esteem and confidence. I add my own study results about some subjective parameters of well being. The results underline a dreadful but definite conclusion: people of western culture are digging their own grave with the teeth. Is a fact that poor nutrition is leading to a range of physical health problems and some psychological effects as well. Recommendations. Physical activity doubled with a healthy life style education since the early years could stop the aggressive spread of overweight and obesity. Because our soul and intelligence must express themselves through a physical body we must prepare the new generation to preserve it for at least 75 years of active life.