Author Topic: Causes of obesity. (Read 340 times)

miko2d · « **on:** March 13, 2002, 04:53:47 PM »

We had a lively discussion a few weeks ago on the causes of obesity among americans which evolved into discussion of obesity in general.

Some stated that every calory over those expended gets converted into fat while others preferred explanation that people have genetically-determined weight (de)stabilised by variations in metabolic efficiency - extra food just does not get digested in those with appropriate genes.

For those still interested, there is a new development in research apparently supporting genetic hypothesis.

Sweet Genes

miko

CyranoAH · « **Reply #1 on:** March 13, 2002, 05:00:28 PM »

I say nutrition and eating habits are very important in Obesity... Spain, for example, is famous for cooking with olive oil (fat), and eating ham and other pork-based products rich in fat... and from what I hear in those statistics that some international organizations make from time to time, we are not on the top of the list...

Taking your time to digest plays an important role too. It has been proved that a good digestion makes the body convert less carbon hydrates into fat.

Just my .02 €

Daniel

Raubvogel · « **Reply #2 on:** March 13, 2002, 06:01:36 PM »

It's not necessarily just fat that makes you fat. You can eat normal, as long as you eat reasonably sized portions. The problem that Americans run into is they think every meal needs to be Super-Sized and followed by a quart of ice cream. If you eat decent sized portions and exercise at least somewhat regularly, you can still eat pretty much anything you want.

SirLoin · « **Reply #3 on:** March 13, 2002, 06:07:25 PM »

The origins of obesity can be traced to one event...Your wedding night...50lbs of wedding cake and it's all downhill from there...

StSanta · « **Reply #4 on:** March 14, 2002, 01:02:14 AM »

It's a combination of nature and nurture, I think.

The genetic 'spread-out', so to speak, is similar, at least within people of the same 'race'. Yet some nations (most notably the US) have a much larger percentage of obese people.

Obese people like to blame genes, and in some cases, that's justified. In most, it's about taking in more energy than you burn. And of course, a matter of what kind of energy, in the form of food, one gets.

straffo · « **Reply #5 on:** March 14, 2002, 02:30:01 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by CyranoAH
I say nutrition and eating habits are very important in Obesity... Spain, for example, is famous for cooking with olive oil (fat), and eating ham and other pork-based products rich in fat... and from what I hear in those statistics that some international organizations make from time to time, we are not on the top of the list...

Taking your time to digest plays an important role too. It has been proved that a good digestion makes the body convert less carbon hydrates into fat.

Just my .02 €

Daniel

You forgot wine

Junk food and bad habits lead to obesity ...

Eat just 3 or 4 times a day with a complete dish not 4 Junk food times per hours and poof no more obesity

Curval · « **Reply #6 on:** March 14, 2002, 07:48:23 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by straffo

You forgot wine

Junk food and bad habits lead to obesity ...

Eat just 3 or 4 times a day with a complete dish not 4 Junk food times per hours and poof no more obesity

Gotta agree with the "wine" comment.

French food is extremely rich and full of calories...but you don't see too many obese French people...

It's because they drink lots of red wine.

It's good for you..helps lower cholesterol and fat.

Of course too much of anything is bad.......

Ripsnort · « **Reply #7 on:** March 14, 2002, 08:00:49 AM »

I have my theories, but they're sarcastic in nature, and have to do with the Welfare mother obesity theory.

Eagler · « **Reply #8 on:** March 14, 2002, 08:50:25 AM »

It's all Ronald McDonald's fault!

I say we sue him

fast food, ZERO exercise and entertainment via computer, television & video games (non active) gets our young fat in their youth and that is the way most of them are staying .... they'd rather play baseball on PS2 than get in the street and sweat.

Notice how the "Healthy" charts in your doctors office keeps upping to reflect the average size? I think you can be 5'9" and be 190 pounds and still be in the "heathly range".

Also heard recently the average womens size is a size 12 !

Sorry that's alittle more bounce per ounce than this ole boy can handle

straffo · « **Reply #9 on:** March 14, 2002, 09:50:22 AM »

I got to disagree with you curval we do drink wine it's true but we almost never eat between dish (repas in french).

I've to say that after a typical french meal if you are still hungry ... you have a serious problem

Wine is not a solution to a problem but more a way of life

And I rarely open more than 1 bottle per month.

miko2d · « **Reply #10 on:** March 14, 2002, 09:50:49 AM »

Watching calories and eating right only appies to people with genetic predisposition to obesity. If those people emulated the diet and lifestyle of the ancestors in which those genes evolved - grubs and roots and berries, they would have no weight problem.
Unfortunately the craving for fat, sugar and salt as well as tendency to preserve energy by not moving were also evolved as adaptive traits.

On the positive side, anyone stands a good chance of sparing his/her children a lot of grief by marrying right. With the advances in genetics it may not even be necessary to examine the family albums, biographies and medical histories of prospective spouse's ancestors - a blood test for genetic mapping will suffice.

miko