The Rise of Obesity and Overweight in the Dutch Population

With the arrival of the internet, we have rapidly gained access to much more and broader knowledge, but does that mean we are also making smarter choices? In terms of health, this doesn't seem to be the case, as more than 50% of the Dutch now suffer from overweight to a moderate or severe degree. In 1990, this was still 30%, showing a clear upward trend. So despite increased awareness of what is good for you and what is not, the Dutch population is rapidly becoming less healthy.

A small part of this increase can be attributed to the prevalence of sedentary jobs. Some people sit down more than 8 hours a day. Nevertheless, the primary factors are the unhealthy dietary choices we make and our lack of physical activity.

Interestingly, this issue predominantly affects men between the ages of 40 and 60. Alarmingly, since the 1990s, the number of people suffering from obesity, or very severe overweight, has doubled.

What are the causes of overweight?

In some cases, overweight is caused by genetic sensitivity, certain medication, or conditions such as an underactive thyroid or Cushing's syndrome. But in the vast majority of cases, the cause is eating too much or consuming unhealthy food, excessive alcohol consumption, or insufficient physical activity. It's as simple as that.

However, this does not mean that all people with overweight do this consciously. There is a large group of people who indeed exercise sufficiently and watch their diet, but still gain weight or do not lose weight. These people try everything, and with the best intentions, motivation and discipline, they fail to lose weight, which can sometimes be quite frustrating. Imagine you stop drinking alcohol for a month, don't snack anymore, and even skip that piece of cheese or cake at a party, yet you don't lose weight. After a while you will give up because you believe it doesn't matter what you do or don't do.

Usually, this is related to the type of food, type of exercise, and (often overlooked) the stress you experience and your mindset. This might sound surprising, but your mindset and stress can have a huge impact on your weight.

Stress or a (mild) form of depression can lead to less motivation to do exercise and you are more likely to eat more, therefore you gain weight. However, there is more to it. It is very much connected to a hormonal disbalance. When experiencing stress humans have evolved to retain calories in order to survive. When we experience stress, the stress hormone Cortisol is produced, which will lead to increased fat storage. The other hormone which has an impact is Serotonine, the happy hormone. When we have highter stress levels, the production of Serotonine goes down, which will make us feel less happy. It also affects the production of Melatonine, the sleep hormone (which also decreases, because without Serotonine the body can't produce much Melatonine). So this can cause sleeping problems, sleep deprivation and a totally disrupted circadian rythm. And we are all familiar with the cravings you can have when you are tired.

The Rise of 'Fast Food' Restaurants and Obesitas

Of course, this is not the only reason. It has become all too easy and tempting to choose unhealthy food. Until 1971, the concept of 'fast food' was unknown in the Netherlands. That year, McDonald's opened its first restaurant in Zaandam, which was also the first one in Europe. Hooray! Not!

By now, there are more than 250 McDonald's sites in the Netherlands alone, and imagine you're a sales representative, driving 80,000 km a year through the country and you get hungry on the road. Taking the exit to the drive-through is an easy solution, which doesn't take much time!

Fortunately, the fast food sector is being countered by healthier alternatives, but these are still scarce on the motorways. This makes it understandable that in this fast-paced world, where time is money for some people, a less healthy choice is quickly made.

Unhealthy eating leads to less movement and even more unhealthy eating

Eating (or drinking) unhealthily indirectly leads to less physical activity. After a long day, you come home and simply haven't ingested enough of the right vitamins and minerals to have the physical and mental energy to do anything else, let alone a healthy nutritional meal. Additionally, processed foods, contain ingredients that can negatively impact your intestines and hormone production.

These ingredients essentially make you lazy and unmotivated to stay healthy, making you more inclined to make more unhealthy choices. The so-called 'couch potato' behavior and opting to order a pizza instead can be a consequence of this.

What's bad about obesity or being overweight?

Everyone has a choice. Of course, overweight and obesity affect our healthcare system. Also, people, whether consciously or out of ignorance, inflict more harm to themselves than they would like. However, many people do not realize the physical and mental outcomes of being overweight and ultimately obese can lead to. I'll give you an overview of some possible consequences, don't be alarmed!

Osteoarthritis and Obesity

Those who are overweight have a higher risk of osteoarthritis. In osteoarthritis, the cartilage in the joints wears away, causing pain. Obesity-related osteoarthritis primarily occurs in the hips and knees, but also in the hands.

High Blood Pressure and Obesity

More than 40% of people with obesity suffer from high blood pressure. Being overweight disrupts processes in the body, affecting the blood vessels and blood flow, leading to high blood pressure that is difficult to treat with medication. Losing weight can reverse these problems and risks completely.

High Cholesterol and Obesity

Obesity increases the risk of high cholesterol because overweight changes metabolic processes in the body, especially if there is a lot of visceral fat around the organs.

Diabetes and Obesity

Obesity increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. With significant overweight, the body becomes less sensitive to the insulin it produces, keeping blood sugar levels too high.

Heart Disease and Obesity

Obesity increases the amount of blood in the body and the workload of the heart, raising the risk of heart disease. It also contributes to higher cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes, which, in turn, are risk factors for heart disease.

Hypoventilation and Obesity

Severe overweight can make it harder to breathe properly, leading to obesity hypoventilation syndrome with oxygen levels being too low and too high carbon dioxide levels in the blood.

Sleep Apnea and Obesity

Fat accumulation around the neck can cause sleep apnea, leading to irregular breathing, snoring, and occasionally moments of not breathing at all during sleep.

Inflammation and Obesity

Severe overweight can lead to unnoticed (low-grade) inflammation in the body, especially in the abdominal fat, which reduces the production and function of insulin and can ultimately cause type 2 diabetes.

Fertility and Obesity

Being overweight affects fertility in both men and women, with a decline in sperm quality in men and irregular menstruation in women, which can even stop altogether due to the change in hormone balance caused by being overweight.

Mental Consequences of being Overweight

Obesity can cause serious psychological issues, such as fatigue, lethargy, low self-confidence, poor self-image, and even depression. Research has shown that obesity reduces blood flow to the brain, increasing the risk of diseases such as Alzheimer's, ADHD, and schizophrenia.

What can you do about being overweight?

In essence, we all know based on common sense what we should do. Consult a professional if you can't manage it on your own. Whether genetics, a lack of knowledge, discipline, or unhealthy habits are the cause, it doesn't matter, but there are people who have made this their area of expertise.

I, Akke Boogaard from Puur Akke in Amstelveen, am someone who would love to assist you in this often difficult process. However, you need to take the first step, because I don't know you, but hopefully you feel encouraged to reach out after reading this. Through this article, I am hoping to offer you some of my knowledge, tools, and inspiration.

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FAQ: Understanding Overweight and Obesity

What has led to the increase in overweight and obesity rates in the Netherlands?

While a small part of the increase can be attributed to the prevalence of sedentary jobs, the primary factors are unhealthy dietary choices, excessive alcohol consumption, and a lack of physical activity.

Who is most affected by the issue of overweight and obesity?

The issue predominantly affects men between the ages of 40 and 60, with a notable increase in the number of people suffering from obesity or very severe overweight since the 1990s.

What are the main causes of overweight?

Overweight can be caused by genetic sensitivity, certain medication, or conditions such as an underactive thyroid or Cushing's syndrome. However, most cases are due to overeating, consuming unhealthy food, excessive alcohol consumption, or insufficient physical activity.

Does everyone who is overweight consciously choose to be so?

No, many people who are overweight exercise sufficiently and monitor their diet, yet still gain weight or fail to lose weight. This can often be attributed to the type of food, type of exercise, and overlooked factors like stress or mindset.

How has the rise of 'fast food' contributed to obesity?

The ease and temptation to choose unhealthy food have been exacerbated by the rise of 'fast food' since the first McDonald's opened in Zaandam in 1971. Despite healthier alternatives, fast food is still a convenient option for many, contributing to unhealthy eating habits.

What impact does unhealthy eating have on physical activity?

Consuming unhealthy food or drinks leads to insufficient intake of the right vitamins and minerals, resulting in less physical and mental energy for activity. Processed foods containing harmful ingredients can negatively affect one's motivation and ability to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

What are some of the physical and mental outcomes of being overweight or obese?

Obesity can lead to conditions such as osteoarthritis, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, hypoventilation syndrome, sleep apnea, and inflammation. It also affects fertility and can cause serious psychological issues like depression and low self-esteem.

How can someone address their overweight or obesity?

Consulting a professional for guidance is advisable if one struggles to manage their weight and relating health issues independently. As Akke Boogaard from Puur Akke, I offer my expertise to help, but the individual must be willing to take the first step towards a healthier lifestyle.