Being Overweight in the IT Industry

First Bicycle Design for Overweight Individuals

Photograph by Cultura RM Exclusive/Marcel Weber/Getty

Most people realize that obesity and being overweight has to do with the energy intake, which is eating, and energy expenditure, which is anything that burns down calories.

For a lot of people, their regular daily commute is the only exercise they get, which is the reason why it is so important in the lives of all individuals, but especially those who struggle with excessive body weight.

For a long time, bicycles were seen as a great transportation device that merged two necessities: the need to travel and burn calories. However, for overweight individuals, bikes can be really cumbersome things, which is not only connected to their tires and the frame, but many other aspects of a bicycle.

In fact, a lot of engineering is needed to make a bicycle that is suitable for overweight individuals, but that is exactly what a group of students did at the University of Colorado Boulder. With the help of a professor, they designed the first bike for overweight riders. Now, they begin their quest to try to provide the plans to manufacturers and hopefully get these on the streets.

In the IT industry, struggling with weight gain is a common phenomenon. At the same time, many people working in the same field are exceedingly aware of the climate change problem and the need to go green, which is why the industry and their employees are so bike-friendly. The invention of a bicycle designed for overweight individuals could be a great news for the same group.

The Link between Psoriasis and Obesity

Psoriasis, a skin disease that presents itself in the form of chronic inflammation of patches of skin, has been linked with obesity, type 2 diabetes and an elevation of body mass index. Through a study conducted on Danish twins, the researchers also pointed out to a very likely connection between obesity and psoriasis.

The methodology of the twin studies leaves little room for doubt that the same connection is almost certainly valid. This is also a troubling issue for anyone who is struggling with being overweight or obese.

So far, there have been studies that suggested the possibility of psoriasis being connected with aspects of the metabolic syndrome, primarily diabetes and obesity. The development of this skin problem might be aided by several factors, including environmental exposure, genetics, alcohol consumption, smoking and the sharing of one or more immunoinflammatory pathway.

It seems that this study points out that there is yet another element to the problem of obesity that is most unwelcome. The same problem can make the basic metabolic issue even more difficult for those who already suffer from it.

Worldwide Expansion of Diabetes 1980 - 2014

As this Forbes graphics shows, the growth of diabetes in the world over the last 34 years is colossal. Currently, over 16% of the global population is suffering from this illness and in near future, the prevalence will truly become a pandemic.

One of the main reasons why people get type 2 diabetes is their nutrition, but also their eating habits. Those employed in the IT and Tech industry are one of those who are most endangered by this condition. Check out How Not to Become Overweight while Working in the IT Industry eBook and see how this scenario can be avoided.