The impact of modern living environment and unhealthy habits on obesity
Studies have found that only children or the youngest child in a family are more prone to obesity. The main reasons are the misconception that the fatter the infant, the better, leading to overfeeding from the breastfeeding period; excessive pampering of children, fostering bad habits such as too many snacks, especially sweets; unnecessary nutritional supplements stimulating appetite and increasing food intake; and a lack of necessary physical exercise. It is now widely accepted that overnutrition in children is a major cause of childhood and adult obesity. Excessive calorie intake is mostly related to poor eating habits, and many obese individuals share a common characteristic: a very strong appetite.
Their appetite is no longer solely for satisfying basic physiological needs; their calorie intake far exceeds their expenditure, and the excess calories are deposited in their bodies as fat, leading to obesity. Poor dietary habits are a contributing factor. In recent years, obesity has shown a year-on-year increasing trend. Studies have shown this to be related to the shift in dietary structure from traditional high-sugar, high-fiber diets to high-calorie, high-fat diets. It is generally believed that high-fat, high-calorie diets, coupled with insufficient consumption of vegetables, barley, and whole grains, can promote obesity and are one of the important environmental factors contributing to the increased incidence of obesity. A fondness for snacks and sweets is an independent risk factor for simple obesity.
In addition, a picky diet or a narrow dietary range can lead to a deficiency in several nutrients related to fat breakdown (mainly vitamins B1, B2, and niacin), restricting the biochemical process of fat breakdown and heat production, thus causing fat accumulation and weight gain. Furthermore, eating while reading, wolfing down food, overeating without chewing slowly, irregular mealtimes, and overeating at dinner can also promote obesity. This is due to the generalization of excitation in the cerebral cortex and gastrointestinal dysfunction, preventing the timely feedback of satiety. Therefore, eating smaller, more frequent meals, chewing slowly, and creating a pleasant eating atmosphere can help control obesity.
Insufficient exercise and obesity: During exercise, skeletal muscles convert only about 25% of chemical energy into mechanical work, while the remaining 75% is dissipated as heat. Therefore, exercise can deplete a significant amount of energy reserves. Besides consuming a large amount of energy during exercise, exercise also increases the resting metabolic rate (RMR). Experimental and epidemiological studies have shown that, in both adults and children, those who do not exercise are more likely to be obese or overweight, while those who actively participate in physical activity are generally leaner or lighter. Insufficient exercise not only reduces simple energy expenditure but also directly leads to decreased glucose tolerance due to increased insulin resistance, both of which contribute to obesity.
Exercise therapy combined with dietary control often has a good therapeutic effect on obesity, which also illustrates that insufficient exercise is an important factor leading to obesity. Alcohol consumption and obesity: Although the relationship between alcohol consumption and obesity is not yet fully understood, we often observe that people who drink alcohol frequently, especially beer, are more prone to obesity. Previously, nutritionists believed that most people have a monitoring device in their bodies that regulates calorie intake based on the body's energy needs. However, research by Canadian scholars shows that this monitoring device does not respond to the energy provided by alcohol or fat; therefore, even when people eat high-fat foods and drink alcohol, their appetite is not suppressed.
Two studies by Canadian researchers included one involving 351 men with an average age of 44 and 350 women with an average age of 42. The study found a significant correlation between daily alcohol consumption and total daily calorie intake, with alcohol increasing protein intake and decreasing carbohydrate consumption. Another study conducted four two-day eating trials on eight participants with an average age of 36. Four different diets were offered, which participants could choose from and were allowed to eat as much as they wanted. The results showed that those who consumed high-fat foods and alcohol had the highest daily calorie intake, while those who consumed low-fat foods and non-alcoholic beer had the lowest daily calorie intake.
Therefore, drinking alcohol not only does not suppress appetite, but also leads to increased calorie intake. However, some studies have reached different conclusions. For example, research by Coldity et al. at Harvard University showed a negative correlation between alcohol consumption and BMI in women, and also a negative correlation between alcohol consumption and total carbohydrate intake. Therefore, the role of alcohol in fat metabolism and energy balance requires further investigation.