Obesity Factors

I probably don't have to tell you that obesity rates are way out of control in the U.S., but what are some of the factors involved? There are many biological and psychological factors.

Adaptive Thermogenesis

Studies have proven a link to heredity. Some individuals may have their efforts to lose weight overcome by a natural adaptive mechanism called adaptive thermogenesis. This effect causes an individual to produce less energy while on a diet. This doesn't make it impossible for a person to lose weight on a diet. It just slows their progress. No matter your heredity, you shouldn't let it keep you from going on a good healthy diet and exercise program.

Fat Vs Muscle

One important thing to keep in mind in the battle against fat is that the less muscle you have, the more fat you probably will have. Muscle burns fat, so the more muscle you have the more fat you can burn. Unfortunately for women, this makes losing fat sometimes more difficult than it is for men. According to the psychology textbook Psych by Spencer A. Rathus, the average man is 40 percent muscle and 15 percent fat, whereas the average woman is only 23 percent muscle and 25 percent fat. So, for example, if a man and woman were the exact same weight, the woman would have to eat less to maintain her current weight than the man. Which is a good reason for women to lift weights just like men. Women who worry about bulking up are really missing the big picture. Muscle appears leaner than fat, so a person can weigh more, thanks to the heavier mass of muscle compared to fat, but actually appear thinner.

Emotions and Stress

Stress, as well as depression and anxiety, can contribute to obesity, as we tend to eat more under stress. If we let it, stress can have a major impact on our health . The body produces cortisol during times of stress. Cortisol tends to create belly fat. Cortisol and other corticosteroids do have good effects, such as helping protect the body by combating allergic reactions and producing inflammation, but they also can be harmful to the cardiovascular system. Therefore, over time, chronic stress can cause cardiovascular problems like heart conditions.  Eventually, if you stay under one particular stress in your life your body will reach an exhaustion stage. Your muscles will become fatigued, the body is depleted of the resources required for combating stress, and heart rate and respiration slow down. The body begins to reverse itself from the fight or flight response to this lower exhaustion stage, which leads to constriction of blood vessels and alternation of the heart rhythm and can lead to coronary heart disease.

Stress suppresses the immune system by creating steroids in the body. The steroids suppress the functioning of the immune system. There's not much problem when this process happens occasionally, but constant secretion of steroids decreases inflammation and interferes the formation of antibodies resulting in a person becoming vulnerable to infections like the common cold.

Besides cortisol, eating more to cope, and just getting sick all the time can keep you from being active, which causes you more stress, which makes you fatter and the cycle continues on from there. It really pays to relax sometimes.

One of the best ways to cope with stress is exercise. Just walking around a park can take loads of stress off of your body and mind. Those with support systems such as friends and family usually cope better with stress as well. Nobody around? Get a dog, or even join an online community. Research has shown that even communication with others on the internet can help individuals cope with stress to some degree.  More on stress

High Fructose Corn Syrup

Bottom line

To enjoy better health and to lose weight, just relax. Stress will kill you! But don't relax so much you become a couch potato, because in the long run that will not only hurt your health, it will eventually put more stress on your body and mind than most any other outside sources you can imagine. Also, cut back on processed foods, and get rid of the sugar. One soft drink a day is more sugar than you need in a day. Get your sugar in fruits, and even then, don't over do it. Balance your meals with lean meats and vegetables, and have fun. It might save your life.