The body is designed to maintain homeostasis--balance. Sitting in the office, unhealthy eating habits and minimal trips to the gym are the norm for most Americans. As this behavior continues, weight gain is inevitable. Awareness of the common causes of weight gain is an essential step toward the maintenance of a healthy lifestyle.
Skipping Meals
Busy workdays, countless meetings and deadlines put meal breaks on the back burner. Skipping meals can lead to overeating in the evening, haphazard snacking on fatty foods and a reduction in your body's ability to metabolize--burn--the food.
Emotional Eating
Eating to cope with stress and emotional pain are common. Comfort foods tend to include chocolate, cookies, ice cream and other fatty foods. A 2005 study published in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" revealed that individuals with higher levels of depression and limited coping skills were less likely to succeed at weight loss maintenance.
Frequent Fast Food Consumption
Fast food is an inexpensive and convenient option for last-minute meals. Think about the nutritional content of any meal you eat out. When the choice is made based on taste, it is likely that you'll consume excessive calories, fat, sugar and carbohydrates.
Inactivity
Calories are burned during physical activity. Limited physical activity creates a caloric surplus in which the body consumes more than it burns; this is the formula for weight gain.
Lack of Prioritization
When fitness is not a priority it is less likely that you will make trips to the gym or show dietary restraint. An examination of the National Weight Control Registry, the largest study of individuals successful at long-term maintenance of weight loss, revealed that nearly every member of the registry used a combination of diet and exercise to both lose weight and maintain weight loss.
Peer Pressure
Dining out with friends can be an enjoyable experience, but indulging in unhealthy foods several days each week will sabotage your weight-loss efforts. Dining out with friends and family members who have unhealthy eating habits will lead to bad choices when your willpower to eat a healthy meal is feeble.
Lack of Support
A lack of social support will reduce motivation to live healthfully and the self-confidence to succeed. A 2009 issue of "Preventing Chronic Disease" explained that familial social support is a key factor for promoting and sustaining health behavior.
Procrastination
Acknowledging the need to lose weight is the first step--the second step is taking action. Many people have a goal of losing weight, but you must be proactive toward reaching them. Schedule time to work out, identify healthy food alternatives and moderate the consumption of unhealthy foods.
Lack of Motivation
A 2005 analysis of participants in the National Weight Loss Registry revealed that the presence of a "triggering event" gave participants the motivation to successfully lose weight. Medical triggers were the most common while "reaching an all time high in weight" and seeing an "unflattering picture" or "reflection of themselves in the mirror" served as the primary motivational sources. When there is no desire to live healthy, unhealthy habits become the norm.
Lack of Awareness
When life is overwhelming, you may become consumed with your day-to-day activities and lose sight of your health. Unhealthy eating habits and limited physical activity become the norm.
References
- "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition"; A Descriptive Study of Individuals Successful at Long-Term Maintenance of Substantial Weight Loss; M. Klem et al; Issue 66; 1997
- "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition"; Long-term Weight Loss Maintenance; R. Wing, S. Phelan; Issue 82; 2005
- "Preventing Chronic Disease"; Using the Family to Combat Childhood and Adult Obesity; K. Gruber et al; July 2009
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