Obesity is a pressing problem in the United States with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimating that as many as 72 million Americans could be considered obese with a body mass index score of 30 or greater. The problem with obesity is excess fat storage, which not only affects your external appearance, but also can have serious side effects on your internal health.
Calories
The foods you eat have varying calories depending on the types of micronutrients contained in each component. One gram of protein or carbohydrate contains 4 calories, while 1 gm of fat contains almost twice as many calories with 9. As these nutrients are combined in your foods, they make up a total calorie content.
Calorie Surplus
Depending on how you combine your nutrients within your meals, you can create either a calorie deficit or a calorie surplus. A calorie deficit occurs when you burn more calories through natural body activities -- such as breathing or your heart beat -- or through exercise than you take in. A calorie surplus occurs when you choose foods with higher calorie intake than you burn off throughout the day. These excess calories can be stored in the fat cells of your body.
Fat Storage
Your body stores fat as a survival technique. Each time you create a calorie deficit, your body turns to processes called lipolysis and aerobic respiration to break down stored fat and create energy. For the fat storage process to begin your body must first sense broken down micronutrients like amino acids, glucose and fatty acids in your pancreas. This stimulate the production of a hormone called insulin. Insulin helps the fat cells of your adipose tissue absorb fatty acids, creating fat molecules stored as fat droplets. One of the main places these fat droplets are stored is the adipose tissue around your belly, creating "belly fat."
Dangers
Carrying around excess stored fat, especially on your belly, can put you at a higher risk for several health problems and diseases. For example, excess weight places additional pressure on the bones and joints of your body, contributing to problems with diseases like arthritis and osteoporosis. Excess fat can also increase your risks for diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and even some forms of cancer, suggests MayoClinic.com.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Halting the Epidemic by Making Health Easier: At A Glance 2010
- TeensHealth from Nemours: Figuring Out Fat and Calories
- American Heart Association: Physical Activity
- MayoClinic.com: Aerobic exercise: Top 10 reasons to get physical
- MissouriFamilies.org: How is fat stored in the body?
Member Comments