Where is That Weight Coming From?

What’s the Cause of All This Weight GainAccording to the CDC, one of every three adults in the United States is obese. This current crisis goes far beyond a quality-of-life issue and is now a massive health care issue for the more than 78 million Americans going about their daily lives and dealing with obesity.

What’s the Cause of All This Weight Gain?

It hasn’t always been this way, but it is now a large-scale problem, as there has been a drastic increase in obesity in the United States. So where is all the weight coming from?

The fact that weight gain is on the rise throughout the United States and the world is the result of a collection of factors, rather than one sole event. Whether it is high carbohydrate intake, night-time eating, drive-through restaurants, working at a sedentary job, or some other culprit, there’s more to the story than one source of concern.

Common Theories Regarding Obesity

There are quite a few theories about where the weight is coming from. There is a combination of factors that may not be the same for everyone. These are a few of the more common culprits:

  • Increased consumption of sugary foods and drinks
  • Shifting focus to high-fat foods
  • Widespread consumption of convenience and fast foods
  • Overeating: Because junk or processed foods aren’t as nutritiously dense as healthy foods, your body craves more food to get the nutrients it needs. This leads to overeating beyond the comfort food or “tastes good” factor.
  • Eating more processed foods
  • Lower price of “bad” foods compared to the more expensive price of foods that are good for you
  • Working at sedentary jobs and the changing work climate: Americans are moving away from manual labor and, as a result, burning fewer calories on the job today than in the past.
  • Inadequate sleep: Poor sleep can lead to increased food cravings and hunger.
  • Consuming more calories
  • Failing to take off all holiday weight gain

All of these work together to create a perfect storm of events that sets the environment for slow and steady weight gain. Fortunately, weight loss success is possible through lap band bariatric surgery, coupled with a healthy lifestyle that includes eating right and exercising. Combining medical intervention with a healthy lifestyle, individuals who are obese can reduce the risks of developing weight-related diseases and conditions.