Common Reasons for Obesity

Why Am I Fat?

(Reasons of Obesity worth Considering)

Fat is a politically-incorrect adjective. That is what feminist groups keep on saying in lieu with fats as the subject. Yes, it is true that being sexy and beautiful is largely based on every person’s preferences. However, one cannot also ignore the statistics of fat people having health complications like diabetes and hypertension. If you feel insecure about your obesity, it is best to address it with the right ways. Before beginning an exercise or diet program, you may want to examine yourself with the reasons why you are overweight. Finding out the root causes of obesity will help you create effective plans for weight loss in a healthy way.

Bad Fat Genes

Look around you. Examine your parents’ and other family members’ bodies. Are most of them fat? Yes, some people have genes that make them fat. Your hormones or hypothalamus may not be working normally thus producing hormones that invites you to eat more than the regular person. Your family may also have other congenital disease linked to being overweight. It doesn’t mean though that genes should rule your life. See a doctor and let him examine which aspect of your body needs to be corrected.

Lack of Aerobic Activities

If you are a workaholic and are content with sitting in your office swivel chair finishing a task for several hours, then you are a candidate of obesity. Sedentary lifestyle is one of the top reasons which often lead to obesity. Though you are mentally-stressed, your body is not doing any physical exercises that burn fat. Remember, oxygen burn body fats. Your regular breathing is not enough, you need to stretch, take a walk, dance or swim to burn accumulated calories. These days, some offices have mini gyms and workers are allowed to take a break in between shifts to exercise. Take advantage of these periods to sweat it all out. Instead of drinking coffee or eating your favorite snacks, try simple stretching routines with your colleagues.

Depression, Stress and Sleep Deprivation

These are activities that bring negative energy to our system. It is a misconception that stressed and tired people automatically will grow thin. Some reacted to stress and depression negatively. Some love to eat comfort foods like chocolates and sweets when depressed. You should be aware of this behavior. Studies have also shown that sleep deprivation contributes to being overweight. It is in sleeping that our bodies perform tremendous oxygen-carbon dioxide exchange. Without sleep, our body cannot metabolize well.

Other Clinical Diseases

Yes, kidney and cardiovascular problems and thyroid disorders are health problems that should be monitored. Our kidneys help in the metabolism of fats. A dysfunctional kidney will make some people look bloated. A hormonal imbalance in the thyroid glands or a liver dysfunction may also be related to obesity.

Food Choice

Most people held this factor as a culprit of their obesity. We get tempted easily with processed and express foods. We made our busy lifestyles as an excuse not cook fresh, healthy fruits and vegetables. Examine the food you prepare in the table. Are they healthy? Do they contain the right carbohydrates and essential fats that can be metabolized easily? These questions are important to keep your health and your family’s health intact. 

Can Lack of Sleep Lead to Obesity?

Obesity is equivalent to having a weight that is 20% more than the normal and is usually rampant in countries where there is an abundance in food supply and decreased physical activities due to automation. It is a serious threat in someone’s health because it can eventually cause a number of other health complications like heart attack, and even influence the very life expectancy of a person. Aside from that, it is simply undesirable and inconvenient for someone to become overweight. But the conscious overindulgence in food may not be the only underlying cause of this public dilemma.

It has been long known to us through experience that small amount of sleep can leave us feeling tired, thus making us less productive and less attentive the next day. Now, it is found that sleep deprivation can also have a hand in the growing number of overweight people. A simple connection might be, when someone has sleep problems and does not get enough eye shut, he or she tends to have little motivation or energy for exercise.

Having frequent sleeplessness is shown to disrupt metabolism and hormone levels. Adults who get insufficient sleep during the night have hormone levels different than normal. Studies show that those who have deprived sleep has increased ghrelin levels, an appetite stimulant, while leptin levels, needed for appetite control, are reduced. Certain research even shows that short-sleepers tend to have increased appetite because of the decreased leptin production in their bodies. And because the manifestations of sleep, hunger, and fatigue are almost alike, people confuse them sometimes – eating when they’re in fact sleepy.

Also, it has been found that the body’s ability to process blood sugar has been significantly reduced. So to keep blood sugar in normal levels, people who sleep inadequately should make 30% more insulin.

But those studies do not clearly identify if obesity causes sleep deprivation or sleep deprivation is the one really causing obesity. There are statistics showing that people who only sleep below 8 hours have increasing weight patterns while more than 70% of adults who are overweight are found to have some sort of sleep problems. Therefore, it is also possible that obesity can cause sleep problems. Scientific evidence of weight loss due to extending sleep hours should first be available to help resolve this issue.

The good news is, there still things that people can do for improving their sleep and avoiding obesity. One is to avoid processed or fast foods rich in fats or carbohydrates and choose healthier options instead. Nothing beats a diet packed with vegetables, fruits and fish for energy and overall nutrient requirements of the body.

Another trick is to begin a regular exercise habit which will improve one’s sleep quality. At the end of the day, having a balanced energy intake and expenditure is plays a major role in maintaining a fit and healthy body. However, it is not advisable to do your exercise routines a few hours before sleeping for this will render your body more alert, making it hard for you to fall asleep . The recommended hours of sleep for children 3 to 10 years old is 10-13 while those who are already on their teens and adulthood should at least get 8 hours of sleep.