-
According to USA Today, 62 percent of adults and 34 percent of children in the United States are overweight -- figures that have doubled since the 1970s.
Weight gain usually occurs because a person is taking in more calories than he is burning. Alcohol binges, late-night snacking, deccadent desserts and lack of exercise are sure ways to have a waxing waistline, a bulging bottom and thunder thighs. Instead, focus on healthy meals, small portion sizes and plenty of exercise. Everyone needs to splurg every once in awhile, just make sure "once in awhile" doesn't mean a daily basis.
But gaining weight isn't always about caloric intake. When a body is under stress, whether from circumstances or lack of sleep, it kicks into "survival mode" by slowing its metabolism and storing fat more efficiently. Some prescription drugs that treat depression, migraines and diabetes can also cause the numbers on the scale to creep higher. Medical conditions such as hypothyroidism and Cushing's syndrome can also result in weight gain. To drop pounds in any of these circumstances, consult your physician.
As the body ages, its metabolism slows down, so it is natural to gain some weight as you get older, particularly women when they reach menopause. However, some of the excess pounds can be shed by exercising more and increasing lean muscle mass. - Carrying around excess baggage can be detrimental to your health. Gaining excessive amounts of weight can cause high blood pressure, deterioration of joints, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, strokes, gallbladder disease, sleep apnea, respiratory problems and can increase the chance of breast and colon cancer. Due to these health risks, those who are obese have shorter life spans than those who are not.
-
All bodies are different. One definitive weight is not appropriate for everyone. So, the number that appears on your scale is not always the best way to judge whether or not you are overweight. Instead, calculate your body mass index, a method that factors in both weight and height. See Resources for more details.
If your body mass index falls between 18.5 and 24.9, you are not overweight. If it is between 25 and 29.9, you are overweight. Anything over 30 is considered obese; above 40 is considered severely obese. - Weight gain isn't always a bad thing. As you exercise, your muscles become larger. Because muscle weighs more than fat, you may be losing fat yet gaining muscle. You can't "target" the fat on certain areas of your body; you can only work out and strengthen specific muscles to get more definition.
- Fad diets don't work. The weight you've lost will pile on in full force once you stop following the strict regulations. Losing weight and keeping it off requires lifestyle changes. Assess your eating and exercise habits. What needs improvement? Start small, but make the changes permanent. It may take a little while to get visible results, but you will stop gaining weight and maintain a balanced lifestyle and a healthy weight.
