MAINTAINING A HEALTHY LIFE STYLE IN NIGERIA

By definition, healthy living refers to the way of life designed to improve, support, maintain and to enhance both the physical and mental behavior of one’s life. When put in a lane man’s definition, it is simply those acts which improve the standard of one’s functionally. Studies have shown that large percentages of the worlds popular do not live a healthy life. According to a report released by the world health organization, it says that the population of people living with obesity has more than doubled since the 80s. According to its findings, more than 1.9 billion adults, 18 years and older, were founded to be overweight of these, over 600 million were obese. Also, 39% of adults aged 18 years and over were overweight in 2014, and 13% were obese. 41 million children under the age of 5 were overweight or obese in 2014.

All these are, largely due to lack of healthy living. Healthy living is not only limited to the physical appearance of an individual, but also to its surrounding and physical environment. Another report by the world health Organization says that about 2.4 billion people of the world population do not have basic sanitation facilities such as toilets or latrines. The lack of these sanitary facilities has been found to be the cause of some of these diseases such as cholera, diarrhoea, dysentery, hepatitis A, typhoid and polio.

Even with these facts and statistics, many still don’t care about their state of health. A factory associated with this is lack of quality education and proper sensitization. In this post we will be looking at some factors that will help in improving and as well contributing to a healthy way of life for the ordinary Nigerian. Area to be covered in this publication includes Eating Habit, Exercise and Clean Environment.

1) Eating habit: By definition, eating habit refers to the way a person or group eats, considering in terms of what types of food are eaten, in what quantities, and when. Living a healthy life requires Healthy eating. This involves you eating the right variety of foods that give you the nutrients you need to maintain your health, feel good, and have energy. These nutrients include protein, carbohydrates, fat, water, vitamins, and minerals. To maintain a healthy eating life style, one should learn to eat in the manner stated below;

i) Eat three meals a day: One of the best ways in maintaining a healthy life style is eating your regular three square meal daily. That is taking your breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It is very important to note that these meals should be taking at the right time and at the right quantity. Eating after meal is a bad practice and also dinner does not have to be the largest meal as these may lead to fat build up in the body which in turn leads to obesity.

ii) It is advisable to note that the bulk of food consumption should consist of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk products. Foods such as lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts should be consumed. 

iii) Avoid foods that are high in fats, trans fats, 

iv) Learn to eat in a control portion that is, eat the portion of food that can satisfy hunger and 

v) Avoid Snacks or if you must eat, let it be in moderation and because excessive of it causes over weight.

2) Exercise: This refers to physical activities carried out to sustain or improve health and fitness. This is a very important aspect of maintain a healthy life style. With regular exercise helps to control your weigh, strengthen bones, reduces risk of heart diseases and depression. Exercise may range from get taking a walk, jogging and running. It can also be in the form of swimming, both indoor and outdoor sport such as weight lifting; basket balling and footballer e.t.c. doing this regular will improve and help in the maintainers of your health.

3) Clean Environment: There is a saying that cleanness is nearest to Godliness. Maintaining a clean environment will prevent you from catching diseases. This is one very important aspect of healthy living one must not overlook. Regular sanitation of one environment, cleaning and washing of dirty clothing and kitchen utensil are very important. 

If you feel this post was help and we wish to contribute or ask any questions, please feel free to use the comment box below. Also you can help us to share this post using the share links below. Thanks