Factors in Weight Gain
Factors Affecting Calorie Intake
There are many factors that affect calorie intake. For one, a changing environment in our country over the years has broadened food options to include a greater number of foods that are relatively high in fat, sugar and calories. Selecting many of these foods on a regular basis can contribute to significant excess calories.
The frequent consumption of high fat and high calorie fast food increases calorie intake. High sugar beverages such as sodas also add numerous extra calories to a daily intake.
Many people eat larger or multiple portions of food resulting in more calories consumed. They put more food on the plate than is needed and finish eating it even though they have had enough and are not still hungry. People sometimes eat more food just because it is available.
Frequent snacking throughout the day adds extra calories. It is a good thing to have a nutritious snack during the day if hungry and in need of an energy boost. But much snacking is out of habit, stress relief or even because one sees someone else having a snack.
Late night snacking is a habit for many people. This can add hundreds of calories to a daily intake just a few hours before going to bed.
Factors Affecting Caloric Expenditure
Many people have also become more sedentary for a variety of reasons. Technology has created many labor and time saving products such as cars, elevators, dish washers, vacuum cleaners and many others. It is good to have these but the result of using them is fewer calories expended. Cars are usually used for even very short distances instead of walking or riding a bicycle.
Many jobs today require little physical activity and much time is spent at a desk, computer screen or driving in a vehicle.
People often spend more leisure time in sedentary activities such as watching television or on the computer instead of activities requiring more calories such as sports, dancing, gardening and such.
Making Changes
It is a good idea to consult a physician or health care professional prior to starting a weight reduction program. This is particularly important for those with chronic diseases or on medication. Specific dietary and physical activity recommendations should be made for individual needs.
Sometimes people develop habits that cause overeating and sedentary patterns. These habits can lead to weight gain. Habits are developed over time and aren’t usually changed quickly. But over time and with practice more healthful eating and exercise habits can be established.
The keys for a healthful weight loss are to consume some fewer calories than expended and increase physical activity to burn some more calories on a regular basis. Even small changes in eating and exercise habits can accomplish this. The goal for those folks at a healthful weight is to maintain that weight and prevent gaining excess weight.