Obesity: 5 warning signs you shouldn’t ignore
Knowing and monitoring the warning signs is essential to take preventive measures. We note below some of the signs that may indicate a higher risk of developing obesity.
1. Family history
If there are cases of obesity in the family, especially parents and siblings, there may be a genetic predisposition. This is because certain genes can be associated with a slower metabolism, greater tendency to gain weight and difficulty in losing weight.
Furthermore, eating habits and lifestyle are often shared among members of the same family and passed on to subsequent generations. If the family has unhealthy eating patterns and a sedentary lifestyle, all members may be at risk by learning and modelling behaviour. Being aware of this family history is an important step to start taking preventive action.
2. Sedentary lifestyle
A sedentary lifestyle involves a pattern of behaviour in which a person has little or no regular physical activity. Jobs that require sitting for long periods can help lead to this disease and a reduction in calorie expenditure. Although lack of time may be an obstacle to practise regular physical activity, small changes in your daily routine can make the difference.
3. Unhealthy eating habits
Unhealthy eating habits have a major impact on the development of obesity, and people are often unaware that their diet is unhealthy. The daily consumption of foods that are hyperpalatable, extremely high in sugar and fat, but low in essential nutrients, is very common. The result is weight gain and a higher risk of heart disease.
In addition, skipping meals or keeping irregular eating schedules can lead to impulsive food choices that are often not nutritional, leading to an unbalanced nutrient intake. On the other hand, food can also be a way of handling stress, sadness or other emotions, making people eat more than necessary. Counselling with a nutritionist is valuable to raise food awareness and improve eating habits.
4. Hormonal changes
Hormonal changes can play a significant role in the development of obesity. Hormones help regulate our metabolism, appetite and fat storage and, when they fluctuate, they can compromise body weight.
For example, a resistance to insulin can lead to an accumulation of blood sugar, increasing appetite and fat storage, helping cause obesity. A resistance to leptin can also play an important role, as the body is less able to recognize satiation, which may lead to overeating. Likewise, hypothyroidism is connected to a decrease in metabolism, which can lead to weight gain. Consult your physician to help deal with the impact of hormones on your body weight.
5. Insufficient sleep
Irregular or insufficient sleep can interfere with the hormones that regulate hunger and appetite, thus helping cause obesity. Leptin, which suppresses the appetite, is low when there is a lack of sleep, while ghrelin, which stimulates the appetite, increases and can lead to a higher food intake.
Furthermore, sleep deprivation is associated with an increase in cravings for food that is high in calories, sugar and fat. People who have not slept enough, are tired or under stress tend to choose unhealthy foods. Sleep deprivation also leads to a greater loss of muscle mass and less fat loss.
