Obesity
Updated Oct. 13th, 2017
A person is considered obese if their weight is twenty percent over the normal weight for their age, sex, build and height. Unfortunately 80 million North Americans fall into this category. Many medical conditions are brought on or worsened by excess weight.
They include: joint problems caused by the need to bear excess weight, circulatory disturbances, depression, diabetes, gallbladder disease, heart disease, hernias, hypertension, infertility, kidney disease, sleep apnea and skin infections.
Yo-yo dieting also leads to obesity by making the body more efficient at storing fat and altering normal appetite signals. Emotional factors, such as grief or stress, can contribute to obesity by the use of food as a coping mechanism.
Medical conditions that lead to obesity include hypothyroidism, diabetes, hypoglycemia, and candida. The use of medications, such as antidepressants, cortisone and oral contraceptives, may cause obesity by increasing appetite or decreasing metabolism. Pregnancy causes weight gain in order to provide nourishment for the fetus and nutrient stores for breastfeeding. It is normal and should not be limited as long as the woman is eating a well-balanced diet. Genetics also plays a role in determining your body type and metabolic rate.
Dietary advice with regard to weight loss is plentiful; just go into your local bookstore. The caloric theory states that: If you take in more calories than your body requires it will store them as fat, if you take in less calories than your body requires it will metabolize energy stores to make up the difference. The key is to alter your caloric intake by only small amounts and increase your metabolism. Skipping meals or starving yourself actually slows the metabolism by telling the body that food is scarce. Exercise is essential in order to stimulate the body to burn fat and build lean tissue.
Other theories believe that you can eat as much as you want as long as the food contains less fat and no simple sugars. The diet should also contain vitamins and minerals that are necessary for fat burning such as vitamin B5, vitamin B6, vitamin E, lecithin and essential fatty acids.
Another theory believes that hidden food allergies can lead to obesity. Irritating food proteins cause small amounts of inflammation, as the body attempts to neutralize the irritants, and can down-regulate metabolism. Eliminating the most common food allergens, milk, wheat, corn, eggs, chocolate, soy and yeast, can be an important part of weight maintenance in some individuals.
The reason that there are multitudes of weight loss theories is because everyone is an individual and what works for some will not work for others. The key is to look at the maintenance of normal weight as a lifestyle change, not just as a diet that will be over in a given amount of time.
This article will explain general healthy eating habits and nutritional supplements that can enhance weight loss. See a health professional to ensure that there are no medical conditions that are causing you to gain weight. Then detoxify the body to make sure it is working to capacity. See the article entitled “detoxification” for more information. Have a positive mental outlook and deal with stress effectively. Start moderate exercise that is maintainable in your daily routine. Remember healthy weight loss is no more than 2-4 lbs weekly.
Water is a very important nutrient because it flushes waste products from the body and prevents dehydration. Drink 2L of filtered water or herbal teas daily. A large part of your food intake should be whole grains and vegetables because they are rich in nutrients, and enzymes, and help to stabilize the blood sugar. Increase your consumption of tofu, legumes, nuts and seeds. Vegetable protein is lower in saturated fat than animal protein. Nuts and seeds are good protein source and contain essential fatty acids. These fats actually increase the metabolism of stored fats. Use unrefined, cold-pressed nut and seed oils made from flax seed, walnut, hemp seed and pumpkin seed. Water-soluble fibre, like pectin, psyllium and inulin, are found in fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Fibre is an appetite suppressant and binds bile to prevent the reabsorption of fats in the intestine.
Healthy eating involves avoiding lots of food that is easily available in our society. Limit your intake of white flour products, processed foods, junk foods, candies, fried foods, hydrogenated fats, simple sugars and alcohol.
I find obesity such an interesting topic, there really is no one size fits all when it comes to why someone may be obese because there are so many factors that can go into it like genetics for example, and it is really usually not due to a lack of self control or a lack of proper diet like society makes it seem! This article was a great reminder of that and how it is so important not to judge someone who may be obese because we really never know what is going on with them. In fact we really shouldn't judge anyone for that matter! :)
Diet has been an objective of mine for a long time (70+ years). My liver is still going strong and packing it away the moment I lose focus. But that has led to some wisdom on the issue.
The best diet I have found is the Optifast or similar low calorie ketogenic diet. It is critical to get the vitamins and minerals (in Optifast) while consuming 800-900 calories. Bulk (fiber) is also important.
The Nestle's diet is a bit pricey so I have been looking to mix up my own based on SlimStyles, multivitamins and whey protein powder. The slimstyles would provide the fiber and taste. Whey powder would boost the protein content and multivitamins for the nutrients.
Hello Ian,
Thank you for sharing what's worked best for you. Protein shakes or all-in-one protein shakes are a great way to get nutrients without the added calories or unhealthy fats, carbs and sugars. You can learn more interesting information about Keto in our article here if you're interested and don't forget to check out our healthy recipes as well:
https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/supplements/keto-a-beginners-guide/
https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/healthy-recipes/
One main reason people can't lose weight when they try is because of insulin resistance. Going with a low carb diet and slowly eliminating sugar from the diet and increasing healthy fats can help with eating less frequently because of the blood sugar-stabilizing. I would say getting blood sugar to stabilize is the key to eating less and therefore losing weight.
Hello Paul,
Indeed, blood sugar stabilization is an integral part of maintaining a healthy weight or losing weight. Another factor could be toxin overload as well. But at the basis, a healthy, whole foods diet and daily exercise is a good place to start. Here's another article with healthy weight loss tips:
https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/health-concerns/weight-loss-tips/
Have a healthy day!
I have struggled my entire life with weight. I have genetic factors, insulin resistance, age, chronic pain and other issues that make it difficult. It's particularly difficult when people just assume it's all my fault, that I don't know what I am suppose to do and that I just eat too much. I find it helpful to read these articles because they reassure me that I am doing the right things - increasing my exercise and decreasing those readily available foods. I also find it very helpful to add proper supplements to my daily diet that support metabolism and decrease cravings. Slow and steady seems to be the ticket and take each day as it comes. Be supportive of the people in your life who are on their weight loss journey.
Hello, Denise,
Thank you for sharing, we enjoy hearing from our 5 star customers like yourself. Indeed, every person is different and requires a different pace and approach. We're glad to hear you enjoyed our article and supplement information. If you'd like to learn more about supplements and tips for weight loss and healthy recipes, check out these articles as well: https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/health-concerns/weight-loss-tips/
https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/healthy-recipes/
Have a healthy day!
Obesity is a widespread health issue characterized by excessive body weight and increased body fat accumulation. This article delves into the causes, health risks, and potential solutions related to obesity. It addresses factors such as sedentary lifestyles, poor dietary habits, genetic predisposition, and socio-economic influences that contribute to obesity. The article emphasizes the detrimental effects of obesity on physical and mental health, including an increased risk of chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers. It advocates for a multifaceted approach to tackling obesity, including lifestyle modifications, balanced nutrition, regular exercise, and, in some cases, medical interventions. By shedding light on this complex issue, the article encourages awareness and proactive measures to combat obesity and promote overall well-being.
Hello, Nathaniel,
Thank you for your comment, it's nice to see you're enjoying our articles and learning about your health. Perhaps you'll also enjoy our Youtube channel as well: https://www.youtube.com/@NTLnutrition
Have a healthy day!