Though it is widely believed that genetics play a major role on obesity and overweight conditions, a recent study has determined that the current data we have available does not support this belief.

The study conducted by American College of Sports Medicine claims that the human genotype has not really changed over the past few decades. Furthermore, the study claims that conditions such as dietary induced thermo genesis, defects in a resting metabolic rate, substrate metabolism, etc., can not be attributed to genetics because the data does not support these findings.

According to the study, it has been a change in global behavior and not genetics which has contributed to the worldwide overweight condition which has prevailed over the past few decades.

Global Obesity Cannot Be Attributed to Excess Food Intake Either

The study proved, through national surveys, that current day caloric intake isn’t really higher than it was a few decades ago. People aren’t really eating more now than they were a few years back. In fact, all of the surveys that were analyzed determined that there has been either a slight decline or a slight increase in total caloric intake but nothing major. This has led the researchers to believe that people have become overweight and obese mainly because they are simply exerting less physical activity.

Declining Physical Activity as the Major Contributor to Obesity and Overweight

Technology has automated most of the activities that previously required physical movement. The need for both home and work related physical activity has dramatically declined. The energy expenditure which was necessary for daily living has been greatly reduced; or so claims the study. This means that people are taking in approximately the same amount of food that they were consuming a few years ago but they are simply not burning it off. All of these unused calories are contributing to obesity.

Solutions for the Overweight and Obese

From the above findings we can honestly say that there are only two possible solutions for global obesity. Current day people realistically need fewer calories than they did a few years back so they must either eat less or supplement the loss of work and home related physical activity with a simple exercise routine. Anyway, jogging in the morning is much nicer then consuming diet pills to fix the problem when it comes to your doorstep. Think about it!

Tagged with: caloric intake • diet pills • Obesity • overweight • physical activity.