What causes obesity?
Replies
-
There's a lot more instant gratification involved in eating a box of cookies than strapping on those running shoes and working out before/after a long day at work. Self control and discipline ain't easy. Indulgence is, but there are consequences.0
-
I blame food corporations. They lobby just about everything from the food pyramid to eating 3 square meals a day. I think we're up to 5 meals as healthy now right? Breakfast is the most important too right? Ever see those commercials for healthy cereals? Eat, eat, eat! That's all they ever promote. Being obese is now the new acceptable normal.
I don't think the average obese person likes being obese though. I have always hated being overweight. I never changed my eating habits because I did not really think I could change them. People always talk about how hard it is to lose weight and only a small percentage of people keep the weight off. That is not very encouraging or motivating for those who need to lose weight to think they actually can do it. Now I know I have to lose weight. If I don't life will be miserable. I have to change. I don't even care how my body looks. I just want to be a healthy weight and be able to do things again and have my life back.0 -
So many sweeping generalisations, so little time.
The reasons for the obesity epidemic are complex and the fixes for it are going to be a long time coming.
Recent research into hunger hormones, genetics and even the role of viruses indicate there is more to the story than people simply being lazy, not to mention the socioeconomics of obesity.
Moralising about gluttony and blaming individuals shuts down inquiry and curiosity into a multi-factorial, complex problem with no easy answers.
If obesity is genetic than why are my sisters thin and most of my family relatively normal sized and I am the fat one? Out of all my cousins I am the biggest and I am the only younger cousin with a serious weight problem. I know i eat way more than my sisters and I always have. My one sister eats like half or a quarter of her food and then says how full she is. My other sister is so self-disciplined with her eating and activity. She was very good at sports as a child and became a lifeguard as a teenager and runs a lot now.
I don't know? There's quite a bit of research being done on discordant twins in the UK, which suggests some stressful life event during childhood may have an effect on obesity levels. There's also the possibility that the environment in the womb during development can have a negative effect.
The research is far from complete and there's still a lot of questions not answered, but it's very interesting indeed.
A link to the Horizon program where I'm getting my information lol ..
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01dzfgb
Well my sisters and I had pretty much the same life events. They are two and four years younger than me.
My mom did have some bleeding when she was pregnant with me but everything else was healthy. I had no problems at birth. I was a normal 7 lb baby. I was thin and healthy for about 6 years before i started gaining weight when I started school. I really started gaining weight when I moved away from my relatives who I saw very frequently. We would do a lot of things together like go swimming at the beach and ocean and play at each others houses and go to the park. That stopped after we moved away. After that we were much more sedentary, but my sisters did not gain weight. We did do some activities. We were still in sports ( I swam and did soccer and softball) but we definitely were not as active as before. My dad and I got into a unhealthier weight range. That still does not explain why I have gotten as big a I have. I have had a one aunt who was heavier and my mom sad my great grandma was heavier too. I think it is not genetic. It is just bad habits I have and choices I have made to eat way too much and not do things because of embarrassment and shyness. For years I did not want to do things because of my weight. I thought I was too fat to be seen even 30 lbs overweight. I never wanted to pursue relationships because I thought they would not want to get to know me because of my weight and that I had nothing to say of value because I was fat.
My parents were very thin when they were married. My mom was about 115 and my dad was 155. He has been 220-260 for the past 10 years or so. My mom has only gained some weight the past few years. She is about 20 lbs over a healthy BMI. They are both working now to get healthy and encouraging me too as well.
*Shrugs*, As I said, I don't know. Hormones (grhelin, leptin)? Thryoid? Lack of incidental exercise? A combination of all those plus a large helping of bad luck?
There IS a link between genes and obesity, although there's still a lot of questions about how and why that should be.
http://www.cdc.gov/features/obesity/0 -
I do think that there are some significant societal changes that make it very difficult to prevent weiight gain:
1. We have way too many food additives with unknown impact. Feed someone 1800 colories of typically really processed American food, and the same number of calories of whole foods. You will have wildly different heath outcomes over time,
2. We have made it virtually impossible for people to get discretionary activity. How many of you have tried to walk to your daily errands in typical suburbia? Many cities don't even have sidewalks, so there is no safe path to school/work/home/the store even if you live a short distance away. Most cities are designed so the only way to traverse the city is via car.
3. Our processed food is designed to be addictive, not nutritious.
Even though people have to take ownership of their health, and indulging in healthy behaviors, there are roadblocks at every turn.0 -
I do think that there are some significant societal changes that make it very difficult to prevent weiight gain:
1. We have way too many food additives with unknown impact. Feed someone 1800 colories of typically really processed American food, and the same number of calories of whole foods. You will have wildly different heath outcomes over time,
2. We have made it virtually impossible for people to get discretionary activity. How many of you have tried to walk to your daily errands in typical suburbia? Many cities don't even have sidewalks, so there is no safe path to school/work/home/the store even if you live a short distance away. Most cities are designed so the only way to traverse the city is via car.
3. Our processed food is designed to be addictive, not nutritious.
Even though people have to take ownership of their health, and indulging in healthy behaviors, there are roadblocks at every turn.
good answer. high 5.0 -
So many sweeping generalisations, so little time.
The reasons for the obesity epidemic are complex and the fixes for it are going to be a long time coming.
Recent research into hunger hormones, genetics and even the role of viruses indicate there is more to the story than people simply being lazy, not to mention the socioeconomics of obesity.
Moralising about gluttony and blaming individuals shuts down inquiry and curiosity into a multi-factorial, complex problem with no easy answers.
If obesity is genetic than why are my sisters thin and most of my family relatively normal sized and I am the fat one? Out of all my cousins I am the biggest and I am the only younger cousin with a serious weight problem. I know i eat way more than my sisters and I always have. My one sister eats like half or a quarter of her food and then says how full she is. My other sister is so self-disciplined with her eating and activity. She was very good at sports as a child and became a lifeguard as a teenager and runs a lot now.
I don't know? There's quite a bit of research being done on discordant twins in the UK, which suggests some stressful life event during childhood may have an effect on obesity levels. There's also the possibility that the environment in the womb during development can have a negative effect.
The research is far from complete and there's still a lot of questions not answered, but it's very interesting indeed.
A link to the Horizon program where I'm getting my information lol ..
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01dzfgb
Well my sisters and I had pretty much the same life events. They are two and four years younger than me.
My mom did have some bleeding when she was pregnant with me but everything else was healthy. I had no problems at birth. I was a normal 7 lb baby. I was thin and healthy for about 6 years before i started gaining weight when I started school. I really started gaining weight when I moved away from my relatives who I saw very frequently. We would do a lot of things together like go swimming at the beach and ocean and play at each others houses and go to the park. That stopped after we moved away. After that we were much more sedentary, but my sisters did not gain weight. We did do some activities. We were still in sports ( I swam and did soccer and softball) but we definitely were not as active as before. My dad and I got into a unhealthier weight range. That still does not explain why I have gotten as big a I have. I have had a one aunt who was heavier and my mom sad my great grandma was heavier too. I think it is not genetic. It is just bad habits I have and choices I have made to eat way too much and not do things because of embarrassment and shyness. For years I did not want to do things because of my weight. I thought I was too fat to be seen even 30 lbs overweight. I never wanted to pursue relationships because I thought they would not want to get to know me because of my weight and that I had nothing to say of value because I was fat.
My parents were very thin when they were married. My mom was about 115 and my dad was 155. He has been 220-260 for the past 10 years or so. My mom has only gained some weight the past few years. She is about 20 lbs over a healthy BMI. They are both working now to get healthy and encouraging me too as well.
*Shrugs*, As I said, I don't know. Hormones (grhelin, leptin)? Thryoid? Lack of incidental exercise? A combination of all those plus a large helping of bad luck?
There IS a link between genes and obesity, although there's still a lot of questions about how and why that should be.
http://www.cdc.gov/features/obesity/
I have had my hormones and thyroid checked. They are all fine surprisingly.
I think the whole gene idea is only useful to researchers and scientists who may be able to treat those genes in the future to prevent obesity. For the average person pre-discovery it only seems to give an excuse to be fat. I lose weight when I eat low calorie and exercise. I have felt great lately and not even really tempted to overeat or binge. I try to get a balanced diet with carbs, fat, fiber and protein and it has been working. I have treats every other day. I have been losing steadily 2 lbs a week. Doesn't this display that if genes are involved they can at least be deterred if you change your habits?0 -
Yup, Ask Dr Google, perhaps?0
-
Yup, Ask Dr Google, perhaps?
genius.0 -
-excusesToo much food, not enough movement.
And laziness. Lots of laziness.
I understand the laziness aspect, but playing devil`s advocate, a lot of people lead busy lives working or looking after the children..so how do they find the time to move?
I know lots of people with kids and they make time to move..either get up at four am in the morning and go the gym, run, etc..or have a home gym and work out from home..work out on lunch break at work ..etc etc..if you want to find an excuse to not move then you easily can ..
-lack of planning0 -
I do think that there are some significant societal changes that make it very difficult to prevent weiight gain:
1. We have way too many food additives with unknown impact. Feed someone 1800 colories of typically really processed American food, and the same number of calories of whole foods. You will have wildly different heath outcomes over time,
2. We have made it virtually impossible for people to get discretionary activity. How many of you have tried to walk to your daily errands in typical suburbia? Many cities don't even have sidewalks, so there is no safe path to school/work/home/the store even if you live a short distance away. Most cities are designed so the only way to traverse the city is via car.
3. Our processed food is designed to be addictive, not nutritious.
Even though people have to take ownership of their health, and indulging in healthy behaviors, there are roadblocks at every turn.
My take away from this is that processed food is bad. Well that and not eating nearly as much processed food this experience has taught me that I feel a lot better if I don't eat overly processed food. However, if two people stick to 1800 calories and that is their TDEE neither is going to gain weight no matter how much processed crap one eats and no matter how little the other eats. But, the one eating processed crap is probably going to be constantly hungry and will most likely be the one to end up going over that 1800 calorie TDEE over time.
Where I live doesn't have sidewalks in a lot of places. But, I don't really care I own the streets and if people driving don't like it they can lobby for sidewalks so I'm not walking in the middle of the street. I seriously don't care if someone driving thinks I am in the way. I'm not the eejit that designed this city without sidewalks.0 -
I am sure it is different for other people but for me it was too many calories. I ate and drank more calories than my body needed and it held onto those extra calories in the form of fat. Now that I am eating too few calories it is using up those fat stores. It has not been an easy adjustment but it was a necessary one. I wish I was one of those eat more to lose more fat people but that hasn't worked for me unfortunately.0
-
Excessive High Acid foods!
ETA: My Aunt used to ask Me, "How did you gain weight, you eat a THIRD of what I eat". I did NOT eat a lot of calories but what and when I did eat it was High Acid Foods and that PACKED on the pounds quickly, like...Fried foods, meat, starches, sugar laden treats, dairy products. This stuff seems Obscene to Me now.0 -
Lack of personal responsibility0
-
It doesn't help that thirty some years ago we the people allowed our head of the national household to let the food industry forget about real food. It has gone downhill ever since. One in three is now obese. By 2050 one in three will be full blown diabetic.0
-
Excessive High Acid foods!
ETA: My Aunt used to ask Me, "How did you gain weight, you eat a THIRD of what I eat". I did NOT eat a lot of calories but what and when I did eat it was High Acid Foods and that PACKED on the pounds quickly, like...Fried foods, meat, starches, sugar laden treats, dairy products. This stuff seems Obscene to Me now.
so too much acid rather than just too much caloric intake? interesting......0 -
Lack of motivation and a sense of entitlement...eg (ive been to the gym today...let me have that cream cake)
And the fact it takes time to lose the weight, if it was easy we would all be the ideal weight. Most people just lack the moral fiber to achieve something that isent a quick win0 -
It doesn't help that thirty some years ago we the people allowed our head of the national household to let the food industry forget about real food. It has gone downhill ever since. One in three is now obese. By 2050 one in three will be full blown diabetic.
dont worry, by 2030 the machines will have risen up to overthrow humanity with entire countries rising out of the earth on hydraulic legs to engage in the final decisive apocalyptic battle over the planets resources. its all there. in the bible. so chill. its all good.
and i agree with you.
0 -
I heard a few months ago, from a french doctor, that overweight came from...our brain.
He said that, actually, it wasn't because "fat people" were "lazy people" and that was not because they are not "strong enough" to restrict themselves. Not at all. He said that it wasn't their fault, but their brain fault. And you just cannot fight your brain, that's just impossible.
Actually he was quite interesting. He said that our alimentation, today, was full of **** (sorry to say it like this, but it's the truth): full of additives, preservatives, fixatives, coloring, industrial sugar, etc. And that all those things are just not natural at all, and create a kind of dependency, directly in our brain. You can try to restrict your food alimentation and you can try to fight with your brain, try to say "no I'm not hungry", "no I don't need this, I'm strong enough to stop that", but actually your brain says to you that it wants that. And it'll do everything to break you and to obtain its...well...drugs. You can try to fight a certain time, but your brain will obtain what it wants, everytime. That's the moment when we "can't resist to temptation". Actually that doesn't mean that we are weak, but that we are responding to a natural instinct, asked by our own brain.
The solution, for him, was not to calculate calories or to restrict yourself, it was to learn how to eat without all those industrial drugs into your food. He gave solution to combinate aliments together to obtain simply healthy meals.
I think that it's an interesting point of view. Because it's too easy to say that overweight people are lazy people and that they're not strong enough. Seriously, most of them are doing their best, they're fighing with themselves everyday. No one can say that they are lazy or weak. That's insane. And condescending.0 -
Hypnotoad0
-
To NIKILIS
Chill man - different acid.
Ha Ha0 -
Hypnotoad
heheheheheh.
0 -
I will eat sensibly and exercise more
I will eat sensibly and exercise more
I will eat sensibly and exercise more
sorry hypnotoad got me.....0 -
Lots of variations of too much food and not enough exercise, too much sugar and conspiracy theories about corporations wanting to get us fat and keep us ill.
What about Government guidelines? I'm 6'1" and 222 lbs. I'm in this to lose fat but gain lean muscle. Apparently with a 35" waist, 47" chest and body fat percentage around 17% (and lowering all the time), I'm 4 lbs short of morbidly obese! I was weighed and my height noted and that was it! :explode:
No calipers or any other test to calculate actual body fat percentage - just a case of get on the scales and "Oh look - you fit in this bracket, you're morbidly obese". Amazingly, during a routine check up, my GP agreed that I looked fit and healthy and am not overweight - how can I be with a 35"waist and visible abs? - but still added me into the "Almost Morbidly Obese" bracket for his facts and figures because that's what the numbers he had to work with said he had to enter! So - common sense and living breathing proof in front of your eyes don't matter. Just a height and a weight.
When I stopped laughing I left the surgery and went to the gym to continue becoming even more Morbidly Obese.
I look down and I can see my feet. Heck, I look down and I can see all my other "attributes" without leaning forwards! I ain't fat and ain't no government know nothing bozo with a pencil and paper gonna tell me different! I can use a mirror, my belt my trouser waistline and common sense. If the belt don't fit, my trouser waistline is too tight and i look fat - three guesses! it's not rocket science.
Rant over now.:happy:0 -
Food..... plenty of tastey and frankly very morish *if i dont eat it i will die*
I love all the bad things, Steak (ribeye) Roast Duck, Pork crackling, Black Pudding, Bacon, Roast lamb..
I love them all in portions that defy my stomachs capacity level.
Man vs food aint got nothing on how much steak i can tuck away into my 5'4 frame.
Ribs, chicken wings, Cheesburgers.....
Sadly though, 14yrs of having what i want when i want has landed me her 82lb's over weight
Dont get me wrong, i love all the 'healthy foods' too, i love salads and fruit.... but if my choice was to loose weight eating the top selection or the latter..... im gonna opt for the frickin ribeye!
But, its not my choice.... i have to eat healthy!
*as a side note, would happily murder a person of choosing for a love fat ribeye right now
^ this is your answer...zero control ..
Steak is not bad for you if you eat it in moderation...
Yes, i lacked control/willpower so on an so forth.
I know this, hence why iv got to a point where iv said '*kitten* it, i need to change' which is what i am doing..
Which i why i put my reasoning, particular circumstance forward....0 -
Too much food, not enough movement.
And laziness. Lots of laziness.
Exactly, I thought it was obvious! Maybe I'm wrong..
You're not wrong... and it is obvious :laugh:0
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 393.4K Introduce Yourself
- 43.8K Getting Started
- 260.2K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.9K Food and Nutrition
- 47.4K Recipes
- 232.5K Fitness and Exercise
- 426 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.5K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153K Motivation and Support
- 8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.3K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.7K MyFitnessPal Information
- 24 News and Announcements
- 1.1K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.6K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions