Scientists claim overeating is not primary cause of obesity

Lifestyle -- September 24, 2021 WNCTIMES by Marjorie Farrington

So, reading the headline, the thinking may be, Ok! I love this, it's not my eating, or should I say, overeating!

Oh, but wait, if it's not eating too much, what is it? 

Well, quotes from the article Scientists claim that overeating is not the primary cause of obesity "weight gain occurs because individuals consume more energy than they expend."

That sounds like I may have to work at this weight thing! 

Read the following and it really makes sense:

*The carbohydrate-insulin model makes a bold claim: overeating doesn't cause obesity; the process of getting fat causes overeating. *The current obesity epidemic is due, in part, to hormonal responses to changes in food quality: in particular, high-glycemic load foods, which fundamentally change metabolism. *Focusing on what we eat rather than how much we eat is a better strategy for weight management. According to the authors, 'conceptualizing obesity as a disorder of energy balance restates a principle of physics without considering the biological mechanisms underlying weight gain.'

*Public health messaging exhorting people to eat less and exercise more has failed to stem rising rates of obesity and obesity-related diseases. *The energy balance model, which says weight gain is caused by consuming more energy than we expend, "restates a principle of physics without considering the biological mechanisms driving weight gain." *The carbohydrate-insulin model makes a bold claim: overeating doesn't cause obesity; the process of getting fat causes overeating. *The current obesity epidemic is due, in part, to hormonal responses to changes in food quality: in particular, high-glycemic load foods, which fundamentally change metabolism. *Focusing on what we eat rather than how much we eat is a better strategy for weight management."

**Since obesity is on the rise, over 40% of adults in the U.S. the messaging of eat less and exercise more is not working, it makes sense to look at what we eat. We are mor at risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and even certain cancers.

One more quote from the article The USDA's Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020 -- 2025 further tells us that losing weight "requires adults to reduce the number of calories they get from foods and beverages and increase the amount expended through physical activity."

Let's face it, we love fast food, we love dining out, might me time to think about where we eat, too. I know when we go out to eat, doesn't matter "fast food" or "take out" or "eat in" at a restaurant, I don't make the right choices. Temptation takes over or I think I've ordered what's healthy, but my weight tells another story.

Since we're all at home more, we've been eating more at home. I have to keep the snacks that I say to myself, I will limit but I don't, so I can't have them in the house.

I also like to use a smaller plate or bowl for meals or snack. I read somewhere that it'll trick your mind, I just know, for me, it works.

To find out more and read the full article click here

Story Source:

Materials provided by American Society for Nutrition. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.

Journal Reference:

David S Ludwig, Louis J Aronne, Arne Astrup, Rafael de Cabo, Lewis C Cantley, Mark I Friedman, Steven B Heymsfield, James D Johnson, Janet C King, Ronald M Krauss, Daniel E Lieberman, Gary Taubes, Jeff S Volek, Eric C Westman, Walter C Willett, William S Yancy, Cara B Ebbeling. The carbohydrate-insulin model: a physiological perspective on the obesity pandemic. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2021; DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/nqab270

Cite This Page:

MLA
APA
Chicago
American Society for Nutrition. "Scientists claim that overeating is not the primary cause of obesity." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 13 September 2021. .

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210913135729.htm

Source:
American Society for Nutrition