Weight ManagementWhat Affects Your Weight?Genetic makeup—what you inherit—plays the biggest role When we say "genetic makeup," we're talking about everything you
inherited from your ancestors, from the color of your eyes or the shape of your
toes to the way your brain works and the way your body stores fat. Your genetic makeup has a very big effect on your weight. It
affects: - Your basal metabolic rate. That's
the rate at which your body uses energy (calories) at rest. Some people are
born with higher basic metabolic rates than others. These people naturally burn
more calories than the rest of us.
- Regular physical activity can raise your
metabolic rate.
- Very low-calorie diets will lower your metabolic
rate. A lower metabolic rate makes it easier to gain weight because you don't
burn calories as fast.
- Your body signals.
- Hunger is signaled
by stomach growling and hunger pangs. This signal says, "It's time to
eat."
- Fullness, also called "satiety" (say
"suh-TY-uh-tee"), is signaled by a feeling of being full and satisfied. This
signal says, "It's time to stop eating."
- Appetite is a desire for food, usually linked to the sight,
smell, or thought of food. It is the pleasure you get from food. It's what
makes you look for food that you enjoy. It's also what makes you want dessert
when you're already full.
- Your fat distribution.
- Some people have slim legs, some have
heavy legs. You can't change where your body stores fat.
- Men store
more fat in the belly as they age, and women store more fat in the hips and
thighs.
Nutrition—what and how you eat—also affects your weight The average American meal contains too many
calories. It also contains too much saturated fat,
cholesterol, animal protein, salt, alcohol, and sugar.
It can be hard to make healthy food choices: - Emotions and easy access to fast foods and
snacks are among the many
things that influence our food choices today.
- Lack of time leads many people to eat on an irregular schedule or
skip meals. People who do that have more trouble staying at a healthy weight
than people who eat regular meals.
- Sometimes a food that seems like
a healthier choice may not be. A low-fat cookie may have less fat, but usually
it is high in sugar and has the same number of calories as a regular cookie.
Potato chips that are "cholesterol-free" may still be high in fat and calories.
Physical activity—how much you move—is the third factor affecting your weight Being physically active is an important
part of staying at a healthy weight. - Try to do
moderate activity at least 2½ hours a week. Or try to
do
vigorous activity at least 1¼ hours a week. For
example, you could do moderate exercise for 10 minutes, 3 times a day, at least
5 days a week. Or you could do vigorous activity for 15 minutes a day, 5 days a
week. It's fine to be active in blocks of 10 minutes or more throughout your
day and week.2 Brisk walking is an example of a
moderate activity. Running is an example of vigorous activity.
- Regular activity helps you stay fit. When you're fit, you feel
better and have more energy for work and for your family. When you're fit, you
burn more calories, even when you're resting.
- Even if you are
overweight or obese, you will benefit from being more physically fit. Improving
your fitness is good for your heart, lungs, bones, and joints. And it lowers
your risk for
heart attack,
diabetes,
high blood pressure, and some cancers. If you already
have one or more of these problems, getting more fit may help you control other
health problems and make you feel better.
- Moderate activity is safe
for most people, but it's always a good idea to talk to your doctor before you
start an exercise program.
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| | Author: | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS Cynthia Tank | Last Updated: March 6, 2008 | | Medical Review: | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine Ruth Schneider, MPH, RD - Diet and Nutrition Rhonda O'Brien, MS, RD, CDE - Diabetes Educator | © 1995-2009 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
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