The relationship between eating and obesity: Why are some people able to eat whatever they want without gaining weight?

The truth about weight gain coming from what we eat

2.1 The relationship between diet and obesity

2.1.1 Will eating more make me fat?

There are always some people around us who seem to gain weight even from drinking water, while others are the complete opposite. Their slender figures seem to be natural; they eat just as much as others, but they just don't get fat! So, "friendships can easily fall apart."

(1) Different innate constitution

It must be acknowledged that a person's physique is significantly influenced by parental genetics. Thin people, due to parental inheritance or a balanced diet from childhood, tend to have higher metabolic rates and burn more energy. Many real-world examples demonstrate that people who exercise frequently from a young age have higher muscle mass, higher basal metabolic rates, and burn more energy. Even when lying still in bed, people with high basal metabolic rates burn a significant amount of calories. Exercise can help increase basal metabolic rate and improve overall health.

(2) Different digestive abilities

Some people can eat a lot and never gain weight. The biggest physiological reason is probably a weak gastrointestinal system, where the digestive and absorption systems cannot function properly. Food is excreted before it is digested, so naturally, weight gain is impossible. If you belong to this type, don't be secretly pleased. Such people have a weaker constitution and lower immunity, and are actually in a sub-healthy state. It is recommended to first regulate the spleen and stomach by eating easily digestible and absorbable foods.

(3) Different dietary structures

Some people eat a lot of vegetables and fruits, but their calorie intake isn't necessarily high because these foods are relatively low in calories. Others eat very little, but if you ask them what they ate, the answer is often cake, pizza, ice cream... so the calorie intake is naturally high. Different dietary structures provide different nutrients and calories to the body. For example, the same weight of cake and steamed bun, the cake has 1.5 times the calories of the steamed bun. Furthermore, cooking methods also affect weight loss progress. We generally recommend that dieters use boiling or steaming methods to prepare food. For the same weight of vegetables, boiling is much healthier than stir-frying; stir-frying increases the calorie content of the dish by about 10 times.

(4) Different lifestyle habits

While you're complaining about gaining weight even from drinking water, your friends might be sweating it out at the gym; while you're waiting for the elevator, your friends might be climbing the stairs. Take a close look at your slim friends-aren't they moving a little more than you every day? Modern office workers sit in front of computers all day with very little physical activity, so they should make the most of their free time to move around. This not only prevents obesity but also boosts energy and keeps you looking young. Maintaining a moderate amount of exercise every day is the best way to stay in shape.

Daily energy requirements (kcal/kg) for different population groups:

Population, physical activity level (mild), physical activity level (moderate), physical activity level (severe);

For children aged 6-7, the following numbers are provided: boys 1400, girls 1250; boys 1600, girls 1450; boys 1800, girls 1650.

For children aged 7-8, the rates are: boys 1500, girls 1350; boys 1700, girls 1550; boys 1900, girls 1750.

For children aged 8-9, the following numbers are provided: boys 1650, girls 1450; boys 1850, girls 1700; boys 2100, girls 1900.

For children aged 9-10, the rates are: boys 1750, girls 1550, boys 2000, girls 1800, and boys 2250, girls 2000.

For children aged 10-11, the following numbers are provided: boys 1800, girls 1650; boys 2050, girls 1900; boys 2300, girls 2150.

For children aged 11-14, the rates are: boys 2050 and girls 1800; boys 2350 and girls 2050; boys 2600 and girls 2300.

For ages 14-18, the rates are: 2500 for boys and 2000 for girls; 2850 for boys and 2300 for girls; 3200 for boys and 2550 for girls.

For men aged 18-50, the pay is 2250 for men and 1800 for women; 2600 for men and 2100 for women; 3000 for men and 2400 for women.

For men aged 50-65, the rates are: 2100 for men and 1750 for women; 2450 for men and 2050 for women; 2800 for men and 2350 for women.

For men aged 65-80, the figures are 2050 for men and 1700 for women, and 2350 for men and 1950 for women.

For those over 80 years old, the rates are 1900 for men and 1500 for women, and 2200 for men and 1750 for women.

Note: The formula for calculating basal metabolic rate recommended in the book "Chinese Dietary Reference Intakes" is as follows.

For men: 18-44 years old, the percentage is (15.3m + 679) 95%; for men aged 45-59 years old, the percentage is (11.6m + 879) 95%.

For women: 95% for ages 18-44 (14.7m + 496); 95% for ages 45-59 (8.7m + 829).

1 kcal = 4.184 kJ m: body weight, kg

This explains why many people find it strange that some people can eat whatever they want and not gain weight, while others gain weight even when they eat very little. Here, I want to remind those who think they can eat anything without gaining weight that as we age, our metabolism gradually slows down. If you consistently consume high-calorie foods and neglect exercise, you will definitely gain fat.