Unspoken Factors of Weight Gain

I recently watched a video on Instagram comparing the lives of Vietnamese citizens and Malaysian citizens. Vietnamese are the skinniest population in South East Asia and Malaysians, the most obese population. The rates of overweight & obesity in both these countries are 2% vs. 54%.

The reasons are simple, choices of food and poor physical activity. In Vietnam, people had more fresh vegetables and in Malaysia, it’s rich, creamy and sweet food. People in Vietnam are also more active while Malaysia is not the most conducive place to even walk.

With all the factors mentioned, here are some factors that also contribute to weight gain but not spoken off much.

1. Use of technology

If one wants to switch on the TV or fan, they had to go to the switch and turn it on. Nowadays, it can be turned on with the help of remote or a few buttons or your handphone. Also, cars have become automated and all one needs to do is to sit and press the accelerator or brake. No more shifting gears or balancing between the crutch and gear like manual cars.

2. Takeaways are at the fingertips

Since the boom of e-marts and food deliveries, many people just order takeaways from their phone and eat to their hearts content. A long time back, one had to go to the restaurants and wait for some time just to get a takeaway.

3. Lifestyle Changes in Kids

A lot of children are not getting the same type of exercise as the previous generation. They are being driven to and from school and spending more time on their phones, tablets, computers and TV. A lot of them are not even aware of what parks are as parents find parks to be muddy and dirty.

4. Marketing

Foods that are marketed are always high in calories, sugar, salt and fats. The ads are so tantalizing that many start craving these foods just by watching the ads.

5. Genetics and Family Influence

The genes inherited from parents affects the amount of body fat one stores and where it is distributed over the body. Genetics also may play a role in the size of our appetite and how efficiently our body metabolises food into energy and how our body burns fat during exercise.

Obesity tends to run in families and it’s not solely because of genetics. Many times, the cause of obesity is due to family members sharing similar eating and activity habits.

6. Snacking and Liquid Calories

Many do not realize that snacks are high in calories. A small serving of snacks are rich in sugar, oil and salt and all this can pack high calories. This also applies to drinks such as alcohol and carbonated beverages.

7. Certain diseases and medications

For some, obesity can be traced to medical conditions such as hypothyroidism, Cushing syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome and other conditions. Medical problems such as arthritis can also can lead to decreased physical activity resulting in weight gain.

Medications such as steroids, antidepressants, anti-seizure medications, diabetes medicines, antipsychotic medicines and certain beta blockers can cause weight gain as well.

8. Sleeping

Not getting enough sleep or sleeping too much will result in hormone changes that can cause one to feel sluggish or crave for foods high in calories and carbohydrates which ultimately leads to weight gain.

9. Stress

Many external factors that affect mood and well-being may contribute to obesity. People often seek for comfort foods which calorie-dense during stressful situations.

Other factors regarding the boom of obesity that is currently being researched are gut microbiome populations in the gut and their involvement in metabolism. It is said that different gut microbiomes digest food differently. Nevertheless, one thing we can all agree is that obesity diminishes the overall quality of life. Hence, watch your weight and watch your health.

Reference:

1. World Health Organisation. Obesity and Overweight.