Obesity and Being Fat: Is It Really My Fault?

By Kat Fuschillo
Writer for FEP International

Is your obesity really your fault? We know that overeating and a poor diet teamed with little or no exercise are the main causes of this condition, but are there other factors involved, that have caused this worldwide problem to grow at such an alarming rate? The answer is the combination of the choices you make, your environment, and your genetic makeup influence the risk of you being obese or overweight. Read on to find out more about obesity and the other causes of this dangerous condition.

Bad diet and health education...

Schools are blamed for not educating young people about food. It's important that young people learn that the foods they eat can make them fat, and how healthy low fat diets could help them live illness free lives and longer.

Your home environment and unhealthy eating habits...

Your parents, your partner and your friends, all have a direct influence on your life, and even your eating habits. Your parents are by far the most influential people in your childhood years, and the food you eat as a child will influence your food choices as an adult. If your parents are overweight, you're far more likely to be overweight or obese in later life. In addition, if those closest to you eat unhealthy and unbalanced diets, this can also have a profound effect on the foods choices you make [1].

The cost of food...

The cost of food continues to rise and health and organic foods are often far more expensive than regular higher fat alternatives. The cost of fatty fast foods are so low, that some people can't afford to buy healthier alternatives. There are far more obesity cases found in the less fortunate and underprivileged areas, due to the lack of money and the cost of food [2-3].

Society...

Things have changed over the last 50 years, and there are now far fewer manual jobs around. Many people work in offices or have jobs that require very little daily physical activity. In addition, most folks have cars and getting around is a lot easier. TV, video games and social networking are some of the most popular past times, whereas before people were more likely to take part in more physical activities. All of these changes have had an effect on our health, and they have increased the level of obesity in the US and around the world [1].

Genetics...

Your individual genetic build up may make you more likely to gain weight than the next person, but there are many steps you can take to help you maintain a healthy weight. It doesn't matter why you're overweight, all that really matters is that you lose weight before you permanently damage your health. Obesity can lead to a number of serious illnesses and conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease that can all be avoided by weight loss.

Make changes and beat your obesity...

Changing your lifestyle isn't difficult. If you simply switch to a healthy low fat diet, control your portion sizes and daily caloric intake (less than ~2000 calories daily for men and less than ~1500 calories daily for women) and exercise each and every day, you'll start losing weight immediately. But, this isn't just a quick fix for your obesity. This is a lifetime commitment that you need to stick to, in order to keep the weight off and remain illness free.

References

1. Causes of obesity –
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Obesity/Pages/Causes.aspx. Accessed Aug 20, 2009.

2. Price of healthy food rises –
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090409/COMMUNITY/904089917?Title=Obesity-rising-as-shoppers-cut-corners-on-food-costs. Accessed Aug 20, 2009.

3. High food costs may boost obesity among poor in U.S. -
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,700225991,00.html. Accessed Aug 20, 2009.

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