Value of Glycemic Index, Glycemic Load and the Risk of Overweight and Obesity

Abstract

Obesity, due to the scale dissemination is a major social health problem. There is a systematic increase in the frequency of its occurrence. Overweight and obesity are the result of the coexistence of genetic factors with environmental factors –low physical activity and poor nutrition. Obesity is not only the disease but is also the cause of many other medical conditions such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and certain cancers. Proper diet and physical activity play a key role in the treatment of obesity. The study estimates the value of the glycemic index and glycemic load of diet of an excessive body weight people against those with normal body weight in their daily food ration. Results show that the potential cause of weight gain in overweight and obesity could be an average intake of dietary glycemic index and high glycemic load and a relatively low intake of dietary fiber, especially in the diet of people with excessive body weight. Another factor contributing to the occurrence of overweight and obesity could be low physical activity among the said group.

Key Words: Glycemic Index, Glycemic Load, Overweight, Obesity