Obesity caused by nutritional deficiencies, unhealthy diet, and lack of physical activity

Nutritional deficiencies can also cause obesity.

Recent articles have reported that some people's obesity is not caused by overnutrition, but rather by a lack of nutrients in their daily diet that enable the body to convert fat tissue into energy. These nutrients include vitamins B₁, B₆, and niacin. The conversion of fat tissue into energy requires the participation of these nutrients, allowing energy to be released from the body. For example, vitamin B₁ (also known as thiamine) plays a crucial role in the body by forming cocarboxylases, participating in carbohydrate metabolism, and enabling carbohydrates to undergo complex biochemical reactions to ultimately produce carbon dioxide, water, and energy. If vitamin B₁ is insufficient, carbohydrate metabolism cannot proceed effectively. Vitamin B₁ is abundant in grains, legumes, animal organs, meat, and eggs. In addition, some inorganic salts and trace elements are also related to carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism; deficiencies can also lead to disorders in these processes. These include phosphorus, zinc, and selenium, all of which must be obtained from food. Therefore, dieting for weight loss is not simply about eating less, but about eating a balanced diet in a controlled and scientific manner.

Water is an essential nutrient for the human body. Some experts believe that insufficient water intake prevents the body from fully metabolizing fat tissue. When a person doesn't drink enough water, the body will retain water as compensation, like a sponge, leading to weight gain.

An unhealthy diet can cause obesity.

Simple obesity is mainly caused by relative or absolute overeating, leading to excessive fat accumulation in the body. Excessive calorie intake is primarily due to an unhealthy diet.

(1) Unscientific dietary structure. Protein, fat, carbohydrates (including starchy foods), vitamins, and minerals are all essential substances for maintaining human life and bodily functions, and none should be neglected. Some people prefer greasy meat, some like sweets, and some are addicted to alcohol, which leads to an excessive intake of foods that can be converted into fat in the body.

(2) Unscientific dietary intake. Nowadays, people rarely plan their food intake according to their daily needs. They eat as much as they can. It doesn't matter for people with small appetites or poor absorption, but for people with large appetites and good absorption, the calories they consume exceed their needs and will inevitably be converted into fat and stored in the body.

(3) Unscientific dietary habits. A hasty breakfast, a mediocre lunch, and a poor dinner can easily lead to weight gain. Eating too much or too well at night makes it easier for the body to absorb nutrients. People who eat slowly, chat while eating, or drink alcohol during meals are more likely to overeat and overdrink without realizing it. Snacking and having a meal before bed both increase calorie intake.

Therefore, the primary means of weight loss is to adjust and control one's diet so that the intake is just enough to meet the expenditure.

Lack of physical activity can easily lead to obesity.

Obesity is caused by calorie intake exceeding calorie expenditure. Calorie expenditure serves two purposes: the normal functioning of bodily tissues and organs, and the needs of physical activity. There are fewer obese individuals among manual laborers and athletes because they engage in high levels of physical activity daily. Ordinary people cannot maintain such a high level of activity in their daily lives and work, necessitating increased physical exercise to burn calories and achieve a balance between calorie intake and expenditure. Conversely, an imbalance leads to weight gain.

However, have you noticed that in the early mornings, the majority of those exercising on the streets are elderly people with gray hair, while there are few middle-aged or young people exercising? Of course, given China's current situation-underdeveloped transportation, commuting by bus or bicycle, and the long journeys-it's indeed tiring; the work week is 5 days a week, 8 hours a day, unlike some developed countries where people work 6 or 7 hours a day, and families with better economic conditions can go on weekend trips; China's social services are also underdeveloped, and housework is heavy, with three meals a day keeping you busy; and there aren't enough public sports facilities in China. But these shouldn't be reasons to refuse exercise. Change the habits of sleeping in late in the morning, playing cards at noon, and watching TV in the evening, and spend 30-60 minutes each day engaging in some physical activity, depending on your circumstances.

Physical exercise is not just for weight loss; more importantly, it enhances the vitality of internal organs, promotes metabolism, develops muscles, revitalizes the spirit, and strengthens the body.

The relationship between endocrine factors and obesity

The human body contains two types of glands: exocrine glands and endocrine glands. Exocrine glands, such as sweat glands and salivary glands, secrete their substances through ducts into the body surface or cavities. Endocrine glands, on the other hand, lack ducts; their secretions enter directly into capillaries and are transported to various tissues and cells via the bloodstream. The main endocrine glands in the body include the pituitary gland, thyroid gland, parathyroid glands, adrenal glands, pancreas, and gonads. These glands are distributed throughout the body and have close connections and regulatory functions, collectively known as the endocrine system. The substances secreted by each endocrine gland have a significant impact on and regulate the body's metabolism, growth and development, reproduction, and the functions of other organs. Disorders of the endocrine system or abnormal secretion from any gland can lead to disease.

So, what is the relationship between the endocrine system and obesity?

(1) Insulin. Insulin promotes fat synthesis and inhibits fat breakdown. If the insulin level is too high or if excessive sugar intake causes glucose breakdown to stimulate the pancreas and lead to high insulin secretion, it can stimulate fat synthesis and cause obesity. In addition, because obese people have large fat deposits, their cell membranes have fewer insulin receptors, making them less sensitive to insulin. This, in turn, promotes increased insulin secretion, forming a vicious cycle and easily inducing the development of diabetes.

(2) Sex hormones. Sex hormones secreted by the gonads are also related to fat metabolism and synthesis. Women who have given birth, postmenopausal women, and those who take oral contraceptives for a long time are more prone to obesity. Hypogonadism can lead to obesity in both men and women.

(3) Growth hormone. In normal individuals, the pituitary gland secretes more growth hormone during hunger, drawing on fat from adipose tissue to meet energy needs. However, obese individuals respond less to hunger and thus utilize less fat from their adipose tissue. Growth hormone secretion returns to normal in obese individuals once their weight decreases to a normal level.