Are you overweight? Have you always been fat? Has losing weight been a struggle for you? If your answer is ‘Yes’ to all these questions, you must also be thinking that your ‘fat’ genes are to blame! While recent research and reports have established a direct contact between genes and weight, would it be fair if every overweight person in India and the world alike began blaming their genes?
While we are busy blaming the genes for our weight problems we overlook our fast paced lifestyles, irregular eating schedules, lack of activity and many other factors that are secretly contributing to the bulge on our waists!
Are genes alone responsible for us being overweight?
Scientists have identified certain mutant genes and hidden genes which are directly linked to a person’s weight. These ‘fat’ genes which are found to be present in some and absent in some are linked to weight but mostly in cases where people have been found suffering from obesity or morbid obesity! Genes have also been linked to ‘childhood obesity’, wherein it was found out lifestyle and diet had little roles to play in the child being obese!
So, if a certain answer had to be given it would be ‘Yes’, genes alone are responsible for us being overweight but only in certain cases.
Are there any factors, other than genes which can be held responsible for our weight issues?
Of course! There is a gamut of factors that are responsible for us being overweight. In today’s world with our fast paced yet sedentary lifestyle and hectic schedules we have been instrumental in creating many factors, which have contributed to our ever expanding waistlines!
Following is a list of some factors which are secret contributors to our weight:
Lack of sleep
Not having a fixed schedule of sleeping can play havoc with the body’s metabolism. Night time is considered as ‘rest time’ by our bodies and it is during the night time that the body releases hormones which are needed to perform basic metabolic functions such as digestion, breaking down and processing of carbohydrates. Lack of sleep also causes the release of Ghrelin, the hunger hormone which builds up an appetite which in turn increases our weight!
Stress
Stress is a hidden contributor to our weighty woes! Whenever we find ourselves under stress, our bodies react by releasing a stress hormone called Cortisol, this hormone causes a marked increase in our appetites and as a result we eat more and thus the subsequent gain in weight! Plus with many of our comfort foods (ice cream, chips, vada pav etc) having a high calorie and high sodium content, just helps add to those pounds!
Medications
Many prescription drugs tend to increase our weight on oral consumption. Prescribed drugs for diabetes and blood pressure especially are known to increase the weight, though the exact reasons are yet to be known. Never stop a medication on the loose assumption that it is increasing your weight, always consult your doctor before taking any such decision or else ask for a change in the prescription.
Hypothyroidism and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
Certain bodily conditions such as Hypothyroidism and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) cause weight gain because of the hormonal imbalances that accompany them. While hypothyroidism slows down your metabolism and PCOS makes you resistant to insulin, thereby facilitating weight gain in both conditions.
Quitting Smoking
Smokers who quit smoking notice an immediate gain in weight! It’s because the nicotine in the cigarette curbs your hunger, a lack of nicotine in the system causes the hunger pangs to return two fold! This results in over eating and an increase in the weight of the individual. Plus, nicotine from the cigarette is known for dulling our taste buds; quitting smoking heals the taste buds and food in general appears much more appetizing and this might prompt an over indulgence in food!
Junk Food
Junk food and fast food is generally deep fried in oil, high in sodium and calorie content and very low in fiber! The oils used in junk food increase our cholesterol and fat, the sodium or the salt content causes water retention and the low fiber or roughage content obstructs the body from excreting the waste, all these factors cause an obvious increase in our weight.
Lack of Exercise
A lack of exercise can cause weight gain. As we grow old, our bodies begin to lose their calorie burning ability, partly because of the metabolism slowing down and partly because of the hormonal changes the body undergoes with age. Physical activity along with exercise is recommended for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour a day for adults to maintain their body weight and also for other health benefits!
What can I do to avoid being overweight?
The answer to this question is two-fold. If you are already over weight, you would be well advised to consult a doctor or a nutritionist/dietician before you decide to join a gym or take on a diet.
If you are on the way to being overweight, first assess your lifestyle and see what changes you have to make. For eg:- If you have a sedentary lifestyle, try incorporating activity in it, by maybe climbing stairs instead of taking the lift, walking daily, joining a gym etc, if you feel a dietary change is required, consult a dietician regarding the same.
Some tips on how to control those ever spiraling kilos:
- Incorporate exercise in your daily schedule, it will keep you fit, control your weight and boost your immune system.
- Avoid junk food. And even if you eat outside, control your portions.
- Maintain a disciplined time for eating food. Say you have lunch at 2 PM every afternoon, then try to stick to that time period everyday for having lunch.
- Avoid stress at work and home, as it can increase your weight.
So the next time you find yourself sitting and complaining about being overweight due to genes, with a burger in your hand, you might want to think again!
