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What causes Obesity?

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Obesity occurs when a person consumes more calories than he or

she burns. For many people this boils down to eating too much and

exercising too little. But there are other factors that also play a

role in obesity. These may include:

 

Age

As you get older, your body's ability to metabolize food slows down and you do

not require as many calories to maintain your weight. This is why people note

that they eat the same and do the same activities as they did when they were 20

years old, but at age 40, gain weight.

 

Gender

Women tend to be more overweight than men. Men have a higher resting

metabolic rate (meaning they burn more energy at rest) than women, so

men require more calories to maintain their body weight. Additionally,

when women become postmenopausal, their metabolic rate decreases. That

is partly why many women gain weight after menopause. Genetics

Obesity (and thinness) tends to run in families.

 

In a study of adults

who were adopted as children, researchers found that participating

adult weights were closer to their biological parents' weights than

their adoptive parents'. The environment provided by the adoptive

family apparently had less influence on the development of obesity than the

person's genetic makeup. In fact, if your biological mother is heavy as an

adult, there is approximately a 75% chance that you will be heavy. If your

biological mother is thin, there is also a 75% chance that you will be thin.

Nevertheless, people who feel that their genes have doomed them to a lifetime of

obesity should take heart. Many people genetically predisposed to obesity do not

become obese or are able to lose weight and keep it off.

 

Environmental factors

Although genes are an important factor in many cases of obesity, a

person's environment also plays a significant role. Environmental

factors include lifestyle behaviors such as what a person eats and how

active he or she is.

 

Physical activity

Active individuals require more calories than less active ones to

maintain their weight. Additionally, physical activity tends to

decrease appetite in obese individuals while increasing the body's

ability to preferentially metabolize fat as an energy source. Much of

the increase in obesity in the last 20 years is thought to have

resulted from the decreased level of daily physical activity.

 

Psychological factors

Psychological factors also influence eating habits. Many people eat in

response to negative emotions such as boredom, sadness, or anger. While most

overweight people have no more psychological disturbances than people at their

normal weight, about 30% of people who seek treatment for serious weight

problems have difficulties with binge eating. During a binge-eating episode,

people eat large amounts of food while feeling they can't control how much they

are eating.

 

Illness

Although not as common as many believe, there are some illnesses that

can cause obesity. These include hormone problems such as

hypothyroidism (poorly acting thyroid slows metabolism), depression and some

rare diseases of the brain that can lead to overeating.

 

Medication Certain drugs, such as steroids and some antidepressants, may cause

excessive weight gain.

 

Emotional Aspects of Obesity

One of the most painful aspects of obesity may be the emotional

suffering it causes. American society places great emphasis on physical

appearance, often equating attractiveness with slimness or muscularity. In

addition, many people wrongly stereotype obese people as gluttonous, lazy, or

both. However, more and more evidence contradicts this assumption. Obese people

often face prejudice or discrimination at work, at school, while looking for a

job, and in social situations. Feelings of rejection, shame, or depression are

common.

 

When to Seek Help

You should call your doctor if you are having emotional problems

related to your weight, need help losing weight, or if you fall into

either of the following categories. If your BMI is 30 or greater, you're

considered obese. You should talk to your doctor about losing weight since you

are at high risk of having health problems.If

you have an " apple " - a so-called, " potbelly " or " spare tire " --

you carry more fat in and around your abdominal organs. Fat in your

abdomen increases your risk of many of the serious conditions

associated with obesity. Women's waist measurement should fall below 35 inches.

Men's should be less than 40 inches. If you have a large waist circumference,

talk to your doctor about how you can lose weight.

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This is a great post with lots of important and useful information, thank you!

 

Another issue that is related is the availability and knowledge of healthier

food choices. This issue effects many people. From inner cities where it is

very challenging for low-income people to access healthy food (but their welfare

/food stamps are accepted at all the convenient fast food places) to the schools

where there are plenty soda and candy machines but not nearly healthy food

choices - that is just one aspect of this complex issue.

 

There is a new non-profit organization called the Children's International

Obseity Foundation (CIOF) that is starting up and is going to be addressing this

issue from many viewpoints, including integrative, alternative, and

psychological approaches and interventions. The website will be up soon - they

are at http://ciofoundation.blogspot.com/. They like to be contacted with ideas

and information so they can make their website a great resource.

 

Cinda Hocking

Internal Energy Plus Consultant

http://cindahocking.blogspot.com

 

 

 

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