Effects Of Eating Meat And Obesity

When compared to diets that include meat, vegetarian eating patterns tend to result in a lower rate of obesity, reduced risk for heart disease and improved longevity, according to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010. Possible reasons include a lower fat intake and fewer calories consumed overall. However, eating meat is not necessarily a precursor to obesity. The effects of eating meat and its relationship to your body weight depend on several factors, including your food choices, your lifestyle and the number of calories you typically consume.

Factors

With the exception of fish -- which is heralded for its omega-3 fatty acid content -- high-fat, animal-based foods are generally a health concern and not only in terms of body weight. Regularly choosing high-fat and heavily processed meats can also increase your risk for other conditions such as heart disease. Even though fat grams are higher in calories -- 9 calories per 1 gram compared to 4 calories in protein and carbohydrates -- high-fat foods are not necessarily the primary factor in overweight and obesity issues. Your body weight still comes down to the number of calories you burn and the number you consume -- regardless of the source of those calories.

Evidence

In a Johns Hopkins study led by Dr. Youfa Wang, researchers analyzed potential connections between meat consumption and obesity. Wang's team found participants who consumed high amounts of meat were “27 percent more likely to be obese” than participants who ate less meat. The connection between meat consumption and obesity is partly attributable to the proportion of meat consumed in relation to fruits, vegetables and whole grains. On average, Americans consume roughly 4.6 servings of meat a day, compared to three servings of fruits and vegetables, according to the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. That's much more protein and much less produce than recommended for a balanced diet.

Effects

The effects of eating high quantities of meat -- particularly fatty cuts and processed meats -- include a higher risk for obesity in general, as well as for diet-related diseases and central obesity, which is characterized by a large waist circumference. Eating more than one serving per week of processed meat can put you at increased risk for heart disease and diabetes, according to the Harvard School of Public Health. Offenders include bacon, sausage, hot dogs, salami and other processed deli meats. Obesity itself puts you at increased risk for diabetes, gallstones, certain types of cancer, heart disease and high blood pressure.

Considerations

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends adults consume the equivalent of 5 to 6 ounces of protein daily. Most Americans get more than this. Eating more fruits and vegetables and aligning your meat consumption with recommendations can help you manage your calories and limit saturated fat in your diet. Meeting your protein requirement with a combination of plant proteins and lean selections of meat can also improve your overall diet quality and benefit your health. MayoClinic.com recommends you include meatless meals in your meal plan at least one or two days per week.