“Deceptively Simple” Solution to Obesity?
The American Heart Association says that the the way to beat obesity is to eat fewer calories and increase calorie burning activity. So why is a simple solution so hard to implement?
- The body naturally wants you to consume energy, so organs send out cues that tell you to eat. When you’re eating, the body then sends cues that tell you to stop. However, recent studies suggest that obese people have a harder time receiving the signals that tell them they’re full.
- Eating healthy is also difficult, with large portion sizes and sugary drinks. The American diet includes a lot of big meals, refined grains, and red meat, and fewer fruits, vegetables, and nuts.
- Obesity has physical and mental costs on the people it affects, but it also has a financial cost to the nation. It is estimated that the cost of obesity is $190 billion a year in weight-related medical bills.
Successful Strategies
- Changing eating habits by keeping a food diary, eating more filling, high-fiber foods, removing tempting foods from the pantry, and avoiding a lot of carbohydrates.
- Diet is more effective for losing weight, while exercise is important for keeping it off.
- It is not just a matter of willpower. Obesity is a disease that may require medical attention and support to recover.
Find more information about the American Obesity Epidemic here.
