Obesity

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Sedentary Lifestyle

32.     Another main cause for gaining weight is the low level of habitual physical activity i.e. sedentary lifestyle in the urban population compared to their rural counterparts. Easy access to various mechanical / electrical gadgets, watching too much T.V. and sitting in front of the computer and play station makes physical activity to burn fat almost negligible which results in the promotion of obesity.

 Lack of Demanding Exercise

33.     Without regular exercise one becomes lazy and lethargic which results in burning less calories and weight gain. Lack of moderate intensive exercise including some weight training reduces the build up of muscle mass which slows down resting metabolic rate – so you will burn less calories even when you are asleep. Benefits of exercise are immeasurable, including keeping body weight under control.

 Eating for Appetite but not for Hunger

34.     Hunger is the body’s physical response to the need for fuel for energy. Hunger is a feeling you are born with. Symptoms of hunger, which are relieved by eating, include hunger pangs, weakness, dizziness, nausea, and loss of concentration. Appetite is quite different from hunger. It is your desire to eat based on the pleasure you get from eating certain foods with appealing taste, texture or aroma.

35.     When hunger and appetite work together, you have a nice healthy balance. But if you let appetite drive your eating behaviour, you eat even when you are not feeling hungry which results in weight gain and obesity. To strike a right balance between hunger and appetite, you need to understand when and why you eat. You should make your food selections based on sound nutritional practices.

Excessive Indulgence in Food

36.     It has been observed that in obese persons, the initial cues for being healthfully fed for hunger are very weak while the cues for appetite like aroma, taste, etc. are very strong. As a result of this, obese people seem to have an insatiable desire for food and they generally overeat, thereby perpetuating obesity.