A sedentary lifestyle means doing activities that require very little energy, like watching TV, commuting by car, eating, or using a computer. It's like being a couch potato!

We become obese when we consume more energy (calories) than we use. So, if your lifestyle is sedentary, you're using less energy, and the extra calories get stored as fat.

Real-world example: Think of yourself as a car. If you keep filling the tank (eating) but don't drive around (exercise), the fuel (calories) will overflow (fat storage).

Just as the WHO warned, physical inactivity can lead to health issues (WHO, 2002).

The types of food we eat have a big impact on our health and weight. There's been an increase in consumption of discretionary calories - that's extra calories we can "spend" after meeting our nutritional needs.

Real-world example: It's like having extra money after paying all your bills - you can use it on whatever you want, but if you spend it on junk food, you're not doing your health any favors.

Many people reach their calorie limit before meeting their daily nutrient needs due to foods high in sugars and fats.

SSBs, like soft drinks, are a big source of added sugars in diets, especially in the US. The increase in SSBs has been linked to increased obesity.

Shocking fact: An extra 12-ounce sugary drink a day can increase a child’s risk of obesity by about 60%!

Even worse, SSBs are estimated to cause around 180,000 deaths per year globally due to related health issues like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.