Obesity is a widespread epidemic, affecting more than 35% of adults in the United States. Another 34% of adults are considered overweight. Sadly, nearly 17% of children and adolescents are also at risk of developing obesity. These statistics have increased dramatically in recent years. There’s no one cause of obesity and no magic answer to preventing or treating it. One thing most people don’t realize is that for many, obesity is not a choice. It’s not simply a matter of laziness, overeating, and being unmotivated.
1. Genetics
This is one of the more frustrating causes of obesity. Sometimes, you just can’t fight genetics. We can thank genetics for our gorgeous blue eyes, academic capabilities, and even athleticism. But in some instances, genetics work against us. If someone in your family has the obesity gene, it likely means you do too. The good news is, this doesn’t guarantee that you’ll suffer from obesity. But it does mean that you’re at greater risk and need to be more mindful of avoiding weight gain pitfalls. Most genes in our body react to our environment and other external factors. We have to “wake” these genes up for them to activate. That doesn’t mean that one cheeseburger and a few cheese pizzas is going to cause you to gain excess weight. But when your obese gene is turned on, you may gain weight faster and more easily than others. Check out your family history and ask questions regarding predisposition for obesity. If you’re already dealing with obesity, facilities such as Fairfield weight loss can help you get your condition under control.
2. Food
This is probably the most obvious and common cause of obesity among both adults and children. But it’s not completely the individuals fault. That’s because the American Standard Diet is completely out of control, including insane portions, highly processed foods, and high-glycemic carbohydrates. Some of these factors actually create a dependency an addiction to food, the same way a person becomes addicted to drugs. High-glycemic carbs are processed, white grains like bread, pasta, rice, and other starches high in sugar and fat. Consuming these types of foods actually cause you to crave them more, triggering a very dangerous, viscous, and unhealthy food cycle. That’s because these foods cause sharp spikes and dips in blood sugar levels, which stimulate the part of the brain that controls cravings and hunger. Replace these refined carbs with healthier, whole-grain alternatives that leave you feeling fuller, longer. Pay close attention to healthy portion size, and enjoying fresh fruits, vegetables, and lean meats whenever possible.
3. Stress
If you thought the percentage of obese people in this world was shocking, check out stress level percentages. More than 80% of adults claim to feel some level of stress and of those, 44% report their stress levels increasing over the last five years. Stress wreaks havoc on our health and can cause complications like high blood pressure, heart disease, and even diabetes. Obesity is another common and unfortunate side effect of excess stress. When your mind and body experience stress, your brain releases a chemical known as cortisol. Cortisol boosts your blood sugar levels (making you crave unhealthy foods) while also storing excess sugar as fat. But it’s not just the physical and chemical effects of stress that cause weight gain. Countless people are emotional eaters who grab a bag of chips or pint of ice cream whenever they’re feeling blue. Mindless eating of excess calories adds up quickly and can easily lead to unwanted weight gain. Incorporate stress reducing activities into your day whenever possible. Things like meditation, yoga, exercise, mindfulness, and keeping a journal are all proven to help reduce stress.
A final note
Don’t let yourself become a statistic. Despite genetics and obscenely large portion sizes, with the right knowledge and approach, you can combat these causes of obesity and reclaim a healthier more active lifestyle.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
