Facts You Need to Know About Obesity
Is my weight keeping me from living life to the fullest?
It is not uncommon for adults to add a few extra pounds as they grow older. But too much weight can keep you from living the life you'd enjoy most. When you become less active and carry extra weight, you may find it more difficult to play with your kids or grandkids the way you'd really like to. Golf, tennis, and biking start looking more like punishment than hobbies.
Being overweight or obese can cause you to suffer socially, too. You may feel less physically attractive which can hurt your intimate relationships. Your career can suffer. You may become less outgoing and find it difficult to travel by plane, to sit in a theater, or to dine comfortably in a restaurant booth. If you can identify with any of these situations, we are here to help.
Weight can rob you of opportunities and lead to serious health problems. Every year in the United States, approximately 400,000 adults die from conditions related to excess body weight.
What is causing my weight problem?
The causes for obesity can vary from person to person. For most people, the main culprit is eating more calories than you burn. When you don’t burn all the calories that you consume, your body stores them for later, and it stores this unused energy as fat.
Here are some of the factors that contribute to excess weight:
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Genetics. If one or both of your parents are overweight or obese, then you too may suffer from obesity. Genetics can also affect the hormones that regulate fat.
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Overeating and eating too often. Eating too much food or eating too often can lead to weight gain, especially if the food you eat is high in fat content.
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Physical inactivity. Sedentary people burn fewer calories than active people. This is true for both men and women.
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Medications. Some medications are associated with weight gain.
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Psychological factors. Emotions can influence eating habits. Boredom, stress anger, sadness are emotions that cause some people to eat. It has been estimated that 30 percent of those who seek help with weight issues have experienced binge eating behaviors.
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Medical conditions. Hypothyroidism, insulin resistance, polycystic ovarian syndrome and Cushing’s disease can contribute to excess weight gain.
