Obesity is generally caused by consuming too much and moving too little. If you consume high amounts of energy, particularly fat and sugars, but do not burn off the energy through workout and physical activity, much of the surplus energy will be saved by the body as fat.
1. Calories
The energy value of food is measured in systems called calories. The typical physically active man requires about 2,500 calories a day to preserve a healthy weight, and the average physically active female needs about 2,000 calories a day. This amount of calories may sound high, however it can be simple to reach if you eat specific types of food. For instance, consuming a large takeaway hamburger, french fries and a milkshake can total 1,500 calories– and that’s simply one meal. For additional information, read our overview of comprehending calories. Another problem is that many individuals aren’t physically active, so lots of the calories they consume end up being saved in their body as fat.
2. Poor Diet
Obesity doesn’t take place over night. It establishes gradually in time, as a result of poor diet and lifestyle choices, such as:
- consuming large amounts of processed or fast food – that’s high in fat and sugar
- consuming alcohol – alcohol includes a lot of calories, and people who drink heavily are frequently overweight
- eating out a lot – you may be tempted to likewise have a starter or dessert in a restaurant, and the food can be higher in fat and sugar
- consuming larger portions than you require – you may be motivated to eat too much if your pals or relatives are likewise consuming large parts
- drinking too many sugary beverages – consisting of sodas and fruit juice
- convenience eating – if you have low self-esteem or feel depressed, you might eat to make yourself feel much better
Unhealthy consuming habits have the tendency to run in households. You may find out bad eating practices from your parents when you’re young and continue them into adulthood.
3. Lack of Physical Activity
Lack of exercise is another essential factor related to obesity. Lots of people have jobs that involve sitting at a desk for the majority of the day. They also depend on their cars and trucks, rather than walking or cycling. For relaxation, lots of people tend to watch TV, search the internet or play computer games, and seldom take regular exercise. If you’re not active enough, you don’t use the energy provided by the food you eat, and the extra energy you consume is stored by the body as fat.
The Department of Health advises that adults do at least 150 minutes (two-and-a-half hours) of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, such as biking or fast walking, each week. This does not have to be done all in one go, however can be broken down into smaller sized periods. For example, you could work out for 30 minutes a day for five days a week. If you’re obese and trying to slim down, you may need to do more workout than this. It might help to start slowly and slowly increase the quantity of exercise you do weekly.
4. Genetics
Some people claim there’s no point aiming to lose weight because “it runs in my family” or “it’s in my genes”. While there are some unusual hereditary conditions that can cause obesity, such as Prader-Willi syndrome, there’s no reason that most people can’t lose weight. It may hold true that specific genetic characteristics inherited from your parents– such as having a big appetite – might make slimming down more difficult, but it definitely doesn’t make it impossible. In many cases, obesity is more to do with environmental elements, such as bad eating practices learned during childhood.
5. Medical Factors
In some cases, underlying medical conditions might contribute to weight gain. These include:
- an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism) – where your thyroid gland does not produce sufficient hormones
- Cushing’s syndrome– an uncommon disorder that causes the over-production of steroid hormonal agents
Nevertheless, if conditions such as these are properly identified and dealt with, they must present less of a barrier to weight loss. Certain medicines, consisting of some corticosteroids, medications for epilepsy and diabetes, and some medications used to treat mental disorder – including antidepressants and medications for schizophrenia – can add to weight gain. Weight gain can sometimes be a side effect of stopping smoking cigarettes.
