These 7 Causes of Obesity May Surprise You
Modern life has seen much progress and development in the field of science, technology, and medicine. Living and connecting with others has become easier. Yet, the number of diseases are surprisingly on the rise. Ill-health often reflects in our weight; we either slim down drastically or we pile on excess pounds. Both are equally harmful for health, no matter the age group being affected.
Obesity has become a global epidemic. Being overweight has many known health complications that we have heard of: heart disease, thyroid issues, liver and kidney failure, and nerve damage. Shockingly, obesity is no longer a condition that only affects adults. An increasing number of children under the age of 10 years are suffering from obesity. The statistics are especially disturbing in developed countries which see both parents working and the child left alone for the better part of the day.
With the number of obesity-related fatalities across the world increasing each year, this is a worrying condition that needs immediate attention. Moreover, as crucial as it is to seek obesity treatment immediately, it is equally necessary to identify the causes of obesity. Genetics, a high fat diet, an increased consumption of processed foods, and a sedentary lifestyle are known causes of excess weight gain. However, they are not the only ones. Here are 7 surprising causes of obesity that might truly shock you.
- Lack of sleep
One of the most common causes of obesity, yet the one that truly takes people by surprise. Cutting back on sleep for a few days is fine but on the long run, it will impact health leading to thyroid disorders or even pre-diabetic health issues. Adequate sleep is a crucial part of your body’s metabolic health and immune system development.
- Chronic stress
Stress often leads to comfort eating. Patients suffering trauma are known to either inadvertently starve themselves or overeat. Both extremes are equally bad. Research shows that chronic stress and psychological illnesses such as depression are more likely to lead to obesity due to their impact on the thyroid gland function.
- Dependence on air-conditioning
Studies have shown that people who live with constant air-conditioning are more likely to turn obese than those who do without. The reason for this is simple. When you live in constantly regulated temperatures, your body does not need to work itself to regulate warmth and burn calories. Sweat may not sound appealing, but it is actually good for health.
- Midnight snacking
Do you find yourself reaching out for something tasty to nibble on at midnight? Chances are you are that you more likely to pick a snack high in sugar and/or salt. People who work late often follow irregular meal patterns which leads to ‘in-between snacking’ to curb hunger pangs. This is one of the major causes of weight gain and obesity in metro cities.
- Certain medications
One of the causes of obesity that takes most by surprise. Anti-depressants, birth control pills, blood thinners, blood pressure pills, and steroids are known offenders in the list of medications that can lead to weight gain. Whenever a doctor puts you on a dose that will last for a couple of months do remember to talk about possible side-effects and how to counter them.
- Living in high polluted areas
It is no secret or surprise that inhaling carbon monoxide and other pollutants is harmful for the body. Air pollution too can cause your body’s metabolism to slow down by attacking your immune system and leaving you prone to weight gain. To make matters worse, most of the food we consume has been grown with a huge amount of chemical based treatment.
- Eating the ‘wrong’ healthy foods
The title might seem contradictory: how can a healthy food be wrong? Fact is that most people consume juices, sports drinks, and energy bars without actually having any knowledge of much calories these foods contain. Unless your work-out regime is so intense that you need these food supplements, they can cause weight gain and are best avoided.
Homeopathy and Obesity Treatment
Homeopathy offers holistic healing solutions to help patients suffering obesity. The treatment methods are non-invasive and free from harmful side-effects. Homeopathic obesity treatment focuses on targeting the root cause of the condition: be it physical or psychological. A healthy diet chart, a regular exercise plan, and metabolism medication help in gradual weight loss and an improvement of BMI scores. Homeopathy always targets permanent results rather than instant ones. If you or a loved one is suffering obesity and related health complications do consult a homeopathy doctor for comprehensive and safe healing methods.
