Which of the following are reasons for weight increase apart from diet and exercise
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Many factors influence body weight-genes, though the
effect is small, and heredity is not destiny; prenatal and early life influences; poor diets; too much
television watching; too little physical activity and
sleep; and our food and
physical activity environment. The causes of obesity are as varied as the people it affects. At its most basic, of course, obesity results when someone regularly takes in more calories than needed. The body stores these excess calories as body fat, and
over time the extra pounds add up. Eat fewer calories than the body burns, weight goes down. This equation can be deceptively simple, though, because it doesn’t account for the multitude of factors that affect what we eat, how much we exercise, and how our bodies process all this energy. A complex web surrounds a basic problem. What are some of the factors that increase the risk of obesity? Heredity plays a role in obesity but generally to a much lesser
degree than many people might believe. Rather than being obesity’s sole cause, genes seem to increase the risk of weight gain and interact with other risk factors in the environment, such as unhealthy diets and inactive lifestyles. And healthy lifestyles can counteract these genetic effects. Early life is important, too. Pregnant mothers who smoke or who are overweight may have children who are more likely to grow up to be obese adults. Excessive weight gain during infancy also raises the risk of adult obesity, while being breastfed may lower the risk. Unhealthy DietsWhat’s become the typical Western diet-frequent, large meals high in refined grains, red meat, unhealthy fats, and sugary drinks-plays one of the largest roles in obesity. Foods that are lacking in the Western diet-whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and nuts-seem to help with weight control, and also help prevent chronic disease. Too Much Television, Too Little Activity, and Too Little SleepTelevision watching is a strong obesity risk factor, in part because exposure to food and beverage advertising can influence what people eat. Physical activity can protect against weight gain, but globally, people just aren’t doing enough of it. Lack of sleep-another hallmark of the Western lifestyle-is also emerging as a risk factor for obesity. Toxic Environment-Food and Physical ActivityAs key as individual choices are when it comes to health, no one person behaves in a vacuum. The physical and social environment in which people live plays a huge role in the food and activity choices they make. And, unfortunately, in the U.S. and increasingly around the globe, this environment has become toxic to healthy living: The incessant and unavoidable marketing of unhealthy foods and sugary drinks. The lack of safe areas for exercising. The junk food sold at school, at work, and at the corner store. Add it up, and it’s tough for individuals to make the healthy choices that are so important to a good quality of life and a healthy weight. Obesity and its causes have, in many ways, become woven into the fabric of our society. To successfully disentangle them will take a multifaceted approach that not only gives individuals the skills to make healthier choices but also sets in place policy and infrastructure that support those choices. Read more: Obesity prevention A variety of factors such as behavior, environment, genetics, and sleep patterns may have an effect in causing people to have overweight and obesity. EnvironmentPeople may make decisions based on their environment or community. For example, a person may choose not to walk to the store or to work because of a lack of sidewalks. Communities, homes, and workplaces can all influence people’s health decisions. Because of this influence, it is important to create environments in these locations that make it easier to engage in physical activity and to eat a healthy diet. Places in your area may support physical activities, from parks, trails, and sidewalks to recreation and fitness centers. Even malls provide opportunities for fitness walking. Understanding environmental opportunities and barriers that we face in our pursuit for a healthy lifestyle may provide some of the knowledge necessary to promote healthy living. This information may also provide ideas for advocacy and civic participation. For more information on how you can support a positive environment for physical activity in your community, visit: Community Physical Activity Strategies. GeneticsGenetics can directly cause obesity in specific disorders such as Bardet-Biedl syndrome and Prader-Willi syndrome. However genes do not always predict future health. Genes and behavior may both be needed for a person to be overweight. In some cases, multiple genes may increase one’s susceptibility for obesity and require outside factors such as abundant food supply or little physical activity. For more information, visit
Obesity and Genetics: A Public Health Perspective. Diseases and DrugsSome illnesses may lead to obesity or weight gain. These may include Cushing’s disease and polycystic ovary syndrome. Drugs such as steroids and some antidepressants may also cause weight gain. A doctor is the best source to tell you
whether illnesses, medications, or psychological factors are contributing to weight gain or making weight loss hard. Why am I gaining weight despite exercising and eating a healthy diet?5 Reasons for Weight Gain Despite Exercising and Eating a Healthy Diet 1. Your Body Is Not a Machin e. It has its own rhythm and your weight will fluctuate within a certain range. This is... 2. Carbohydrates Bind to Water. Did you eat something high in carbs last night? Carbs bind to water in the ...
What factors help you lose weight?The two factors that help you lose weight are exercise and diet. The more you exercise, the more muscle you’ll build. Think of your muscles as the ovens where calories are burned.
What are the 7 things that affect weight gain?7 Things That Affect Your Weight (Besides Diet and Exercise) 1 Sleep. The correlation between sleep and weight gain occurs for a handful of reasons. 2 Stress. As if stress weren’t pesky enough, many people are unaware that it has a sneaky effect on... 3 Age. Chances are, you’ve heard about or experienced a slight weight gain as you get older.
Why does my weight fluctuate?Diet plays a major part in daily weight fluctuation, but other factors can also contribute to the scale moving up and down. Expending energy by burning calories can result in weight loss.
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