John Myers
As a rule, three factors are responsible for the development of obesity: predisposition, poor nutrition, and lack of exercise. A certain genetic predisposition can ensure that some people store fat particularly well. This does not mean that these so-called good feed converters will automatically become overweight, but the risk of this is increased.
With or without a predisposition: If you take in more energy in the form of calories than you use over a longer period of time, you will gain weight. The body stores excess energy as fat reserves for emergencies. This is important and useful when times of real need arise. If this does not happen, the fat reserves will increase and obesity will develop. With the energy requirement calculator, you can estimate your daily energy requirements yourself.
A very high-calorie diet with too many ready meals, sweet and greasy snacks, alcohol, fast food and sausage, and meat products is very difficult to compensate for in the long term with sufficient exercise. It is therefore significantly involved in the formation of too many fat deposits.
But even if you don’t eat high-calorie food that often, you can gain weight in the long run. This applies, for example, to people who mainly sit at a desk for work reasons and prefer to spend their free time on the sofa. You hardly move and burn fewer calories. However, if the eating habits are still the same as when you exercised more, gradually increasing fat deposits can become noticeable.
If lack of exercise and poor nutrition can be ruled out as causes, other factors can occasionally lead to obesity. Certain diseases such as hypothyroidism, cortisol disorders, or certain metabolic disorders are often associated with weight gain. Some medications can also cause weight gain as a side effect.
To prevent obesity, a varied, balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables, fresh ingredients, high-quality, lean meat and fish, and whole grain products is advisable. The food pyramid helps you put together a balanced menu. The mix plate provides orientation for putting together individual meals.
You should make sure you get enough exercise. For example, you may walk, cycle, or take the stairs more often. Ideally, find a sport that you enjoy and spend more of your free time moving.
Last but not least, constant stress can also lead to obesity. In this case, take conscious breaks to relax. Certain rituals can also help, such as a walk during your lunch break, a cup of tea after work, or a yoga exercise before bed, which you can use to create small oases of calm.
