While the root cause of obesity is straightforward -- taking in more calories than one burns -- the solution, as many can attest, is not as simple.
But Jody Anderson is confident that strides can be made.
Anderson is a registered nurse and certified health counselor with Succeed Health in Algoma. She says she's optimistic that the fight against obesity and obesity-related health problems is a winnable war.
Genetics, medication, illness and environmental factors all can play a role in weight gain, but Anderson says it's important to focus on modifiable risk factors -- like diet and exercise.
And she says it's never too late to start.
"There's never a point that it's too late to start getting healthy," says Anderson. "And it's small steps and small changes in your life that can really make a big difference. And it takes time. People don't become ill with chronic illnesses overnight."
