Let’s Talk … Why Are We Fat?
April 14, 2007 2:27 PM
By Susan Parsons MD
As Joan Rivers liked to say, “Let’s talk.” Many of us are interested in losing weight. In fact, we have become a Fat Society. Two thirds of adult Americans are overweight. This suggests that there is a big underlying problem, wouldn’t you say?
So, let’s look at some of the factors making us fat.
Our sedentary lifestyle, for one. No longer do we have to chase down our food. We don’t have to build our own house, grow our own vegetables, or chop wood. The only exercise we seem to get is planned exercise. But many of us don’t plan to exercise.
The food we eat is a big problem. Eating the wrong foods feeds our fat. You know the wrong foods … refined grains (white flour is of course the biggest culprit), sugars, and trans fats. Eating processed foods, eating out for many of our meals, and expecting larger portion sizes all contribute to our expanding waistlines.
We are overfed but undernourished.
Another problem … drinking lots of soft drinks. Even diet drinks are now being blamed for the obesity epidemic. But some folks drink sugary soft drinks all day long instead of water. Not only does this add a lot of empty calories. The carbonation may lead to weaker bones and an increased fracture risk.
Stress and lack of sleep. These affect hormones which regulate appetite and foster the development of belly fat. Americans seem particularly prone to sleep-deprivation and a pressure-filled life. Our productive society promotes work over relaxation. Many of us have a hard time finding the time to unwind. We have “too much to do”.
More reliance on medications, many of which interfere with our appetite-regulating mechanisms. Emotional factors play a role, not only in binge eating behaviors, but in just eating the wrong foods. Some of us search out feel-good highs from blood sugar boosting foods like pastries, cakes, and cookies. I know I am guilty of this. That run to Starbucks is just what I need to revive me after a stressfully fatiguing day!
Psychological factors may also interfere with our abilities to focus on developing more healthy habits. If you are overwhelmed with the burdens of life, you may find it hard to develop a proactive attitude or be willing to make changes for the better.
In other words, our modern lifestyle is making us fat. It’s ruining our health. Diabetes is on the rise. One out of five Americans is considered obese. Heart bypass surgery is commonplace. Even many of our children are overweight and are developing lifestyle diseases.
Sleep apnea has become a widespread problem. It is thought to be a contributor to high blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmias, and even sudden death. What is the reason for so many having sleep apnea? Obesity, of course.
Even hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare facilities are investing big bucks in extra large wheelchairs, beds, and carts. MRI machines have been built to accommodate those who weigh over 300 pounds.
Arthritis is also becoming more prevalent. And young and old alike are resorting to joint replacement surgery to relieve the discomfort and disability from this degenerative disease. Wouldn’t weight loss be cheaper and easier?
How has modern medicine responded to these problems? By prescribing more medications or by doing surgery.
Some of the medicines worked for the very obese. Unfortunately, the most effective of these were removed from the market due to implications that they created heart and lung abnormalities. Drugs on the market today are only modestly helpful. And they are not without side effects.
Weight loss surgery is still a last resort and is available only to the morbidly obese. The most effective surgery involves cutting out a large part of the digestive tract. Rather drastic, I would say! Gastric bypass is a permanent event. Having the surgery forever impairs the patient’s ability to absorb vital nutrients from food.
Why do we think it’s better to take a potentially dangerous drug to lose weight than to start eliminating the causes of our fatness? Why would we resort to a life-threatening surgery that removes our insides in order to slim down?
We need to learn to work with Mother Nature rather than fight her. So my advice to you is: Take care of your body. Don’t abuse it with too much of the wrong food. And don’t subject it to unnecessary harm from drugs or surgery unless it is truly a last resort.
It’s time to get in touch with your body. Understand when you are hungry, and when you just need a drink of water or maybe a hug. Learn the basics of nutrition and weight loss. Give your body the nutrients it craves, like fish oil, protein, vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients found in unprocessed plant foods. You will feel better, look better, and live longer.
Move, bend, stretch, strengthen. Find your sleep rhythm. A healthy exercise regimen is the best sleeping pill there is. And don’t shortchange yourself by getting too little sleep.
Tap into the benefits of meditation, yoga, and quiet time. Integrate mind, body, and soul. You will find the inner resources you need for weight loss without a struggle.
I would love to hear comments from you. What are your biggest barriers to weight loss? What are the contributors in your life to a body that is less than healthy?
Comments
My biggest barrier to weight loss is not putting it as a priority. I get lazy and don't spend the little bit of time it takes to plan out my food choices ahead of time. The second barrier for me is lack of perseverance. I dieted quite a bit when I was in my 20's and 30's, so now, when I really need to, I'm tired of it!
Posted by Mary | April 15, 2007 8:13 PM
Mary,
I understand. Commitment to a weight loss program is always the hardest part. I suggest that you focus on one behavioral change at a time, and practice that change until it becomes a habit. Then it doesn’t feel like work any more. Then move on to the next one. Some of the easiest and most important behaviors to work on are exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, and taking a vitamin and fish oil every day. And if you need help planning meals, try one of the online diet programs we feature. They make meal planning a lot easier. Hope this helps.
Posted by Dr. Parsons | April 15, 2007 8:38 PM
I strongly agree, Dr. Parsons, with all you wrote above regarding the many reasons why most Americans are overweight; and, I am developing quite a passion for nutrition, fitness, and health altogether.
I think you are right - we need to do our best to rid our bodies of all the "crap" (technical term) that we put in them that I honestly don't think our bodies were ever made to handle (trans fats, hydrogenated oils, artificial ingredients, etc.) It's like we need to get back to how our bodies were made to work and what foods and activities are best for optimum health. Unfortunately, my biggest barrier is how difficult it is to get good, organic, nutrient/antioxidant-rich foods. The only stores that have large supplies of them are an hour away from me, and they cost quite a bit more than other groceries. I enjoy exercising immensely, but like so many people, finding the time is always the challenge.
Here's a random question: Ever heard of the product Juice Plus?? I heard about it lately, and wondered what you knew about it.
Posted by Brittany | April 15, 2007 9:37 PM
Thanks for your comments, Brittany. I agree that “crap” (technical term) as well as “junk” (medical term) are not the proper fuel for your body. I also think that organic is a good idea, but may be too expensive for many or just not available. It’s important to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables even if they are conventionally grown. Freshness may be just as or even more important than organic. Watch for local farmer’s markets to get the freshest produce; even if they are not organic farms, these gardeners may have used a lot less pesticide use than the big farms.
As for Juice Plus … They have been around a long time, and the product is sold through a multi-level marketing company. I have never used their products or know much about them. The idea of taking concentrated fruit and vegetable powders is a good idea. However, Wikipedia raises questions about the actual antioxidant power of the product and suggests that they may use deceptive advertising. If you are interested in taking concentrated vitamins and fruits, consider the NSI Synergy Multivitamin Version 10 that I recommend. It has a patented concentrate of fruits and one of vegetables that should be of better quality. Also consider greens products, juicing your own fresh vegetables, fresh wheat grass juice (you can get it frozen at Whole Foods), and chlorella capsules.
Posted by Dr. Parsons | April 16, 2007 3:38 AM
I think not being consistant is my barrier. It's either with eating or not exercising reguarly. However, my breakfast and lunch are always health M-F. And I work out at a minimum of 4 days a week. I know its unrealistic that I will make it to the gym every day, but I try to go often. Question: how much do genes play into weight loss? My sister and are both struggeling with difficutly sheding a few pounds, and wonder if genes/age (I am 35 she is 37) are factors. thanks!
Posted by michelle | April 25, 2007 11:49 AM
Michelle,
Thanks for your comment. It sounds like you are doing most things right. In terms of genes, we’re all different, with different shapes and body chemistry. Some of us may be more prone to having problems with insulin, for instance. Some studies have suggested that those who have a family history of diabetes, or have insulin resistance and high triglycerides, will lose weight more effectively with low carb diets. Many of us may be blessed with “thrifty” genes which helped our ancestors survive a famine but tend to make us gain weight when faced with the modern diet. Your genes do play a role, and a metabolic type diet may address those concerns. (Jillian Michael’s program gives you a short quiz to help decide which type you are.) However, there are so many other factors that affect your weight that it is hard to separate out the gene effect. Environmental factors such as diet and exercise are more important than genes for most of us, and we can actually control those.
Hope this helps.
Posted by Dr. Parsons | April 25, 2007 9:06 PM