Weight Loss Monthly Newsletter

August, 2007

With featured articles on weight loss, diet reviews, what the latest weight loss programs are, concerns and information on obesity, and interviews with doctors, dieticians, and weight loss specialists.

A Look at the Causes of Obesity

By Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, DACBN

Obesity is a serious disease characterized by a person having a bodyweight that exceeds normal levels. Unfortunately, it has become quite widespread throughout the United States over the past several years, with approximately 2/3 of the population being considered overweight. But, what are the causes of obesity and why do some people seem more prone to it than others?

Overeating and Dietary Choices

Without a doubt, simple overeating is one of the primary causes of obesity. Eating more food than necessary – particularly food that is high in fat and sugar – leads to excess weight gain because the body cannot process it quickly enough. Foods that are not very filling, yet are high in calories, are also problematic.

A diet rich in simple carbohydrates, such as soft drinks, fructose, sugars, desserts, beer, and wine, also contributes to obesity. Although researchers are not quite sure of why eating carbohydrates can lead to obesity, there is a clear connection between the two. The most commonly accepted theory is that the carbohydrates cause blood glucose levels to rise, which causes the pancreas to release more insulin. As a result, fatty tissues grow larger and weight is gained.

Even the amount of times you eat in a day can influence obesity. In fact, research has shown that individuals with a normal body weight tend to eat more often during the day than those who are obese. Therefore, most researchers believe it is better to eat four or five small meals per day than two or three larger meals in order to prevent obesity.

Sedentary Lifestyle

Failure to get plenty of physical activity is another of the many causes of obesity. The more physically active you are, the more calories you burn. If you eat more calories than you burn through physical activity, you will ultimately become obese as your body stores the extra energy as fat. Conversely, you will lose weight if you burn more calories than you consume.

In order to prevent obesity, it’s best to complete at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise three times per week. Simple steps, such as walking instead of driving whenever possible or using the stairs rather than the elevator, can help prevent obesity.

Genetics

Genetics may lead to another long list of possible causes of obesity. If one or both of your parents are obese, you are more likely to be obese as well. Leptin deficiency, for example, is a hereditary trait. For those individuals suffering from leptin deficiency, the body doesn’t realize when it’s full, and so overeating occurs.

Slow Metabolism

Some individuals have a slower metabolism than others, which can be one of the causes of obesity. In fact, women in general have a slower metabolism than men because they have less muscle, which helps burn calories. Therefore, keeping strong muscles is important for maintaining a high metabolism and burning excess calories.

Emotions

Emotional issues can also lead to obesity. Some people eat in response to their emotions, particularly when they are sad, bored, angry, or feeling stressed out. While there are no more overweight people with psychological disorders than those of normal weight, about 30% of people being treated for obesity do suffer from some sort of emotional problem that triggers an eating disorder.

Lack of Sleep

Failure to get enough sleep each night can also lead to obesity. In fact, some research has shown that the body actually feels hungry more often if deprived of adequate amounts of sleep. In addition, lack of sleep results in a lack of energy. As a result, you may not exercise as much, and may resort to eating ready-made meals that are not healthy for you.

Medication

Certain forms of medication can also be causes of obesity. Antidepressants, diabetes medication, anti-convulsants, and oral contraceptives can lead to obesity when used to control other disorders. Some antihistamines and high blood pressure medications can lead to weight gain as well.

Diseases

Some diseases can also be causes of obesity. Common diseases that can lead to excessive weight gain include insulin resistance, hypothyroidism, Cushing’s syndrome, and polycystic ovary syndrome.

Weight Cycling

Believe it or not, repeated attempts to lose weight can also lead to obesity. This phenomena, which is referred to as weight cycling, is characterized by losing weight and then gaining back more than what was lost in the first place. For this reason, it’s best to avoid fad diets and crash dieting. Rather, you should develop a lifelong plan for healthy eating and exercise that you feel you can stick with.

Kicking the Smoking Habit

Unfortunately, it’s true that some people gain weight after they quit smoking. This is because nicotine is a stimulant and, therefore, gives your metabolism a boost when inhaled into your system. Therefore, it’s best to develop a dietary plan when deciding to kick the habit in order to ensure you don’t give up one bad habit for another.

About the Author

Dr. Edward F. Group III is the founder of Global Healing Center, Inc. He continues to develop, sell and evaluate exclusively high-end natural and organic healthcare products to support a wide range of health conditions. For more information, please visit www.slimirex.com and www.weightlossobesity.com.