Question

Many consumers focus their selection process on choosing foods that are fat free and/or low in fat. Why has this dietary choice not made much of a difference for most individuals, as indicated by present weight gaining trends in the United States and other parts of the world?

Answer 1

Of course consuming more fat is the major cause of weight gain because the excess fat present in the blood will get deposited in various organs specially in the subcutenous tissue.

but there are various factors plays the role in weight gain

The medical factors such us

I) Underactive thyroid

It means the thyroid gland is not producing enough thyroid hormones, which play a central role in regulating your metabolism."Without enough thyroid hormone, the body's metabolism slows down, which can lead to weight gain,"

2) Diabetic treatment

Weight gain is a common side effect for people who take insulin to manage their diabetes. Insulin helps to control the blood sugar level. Some people with longstanding diabetes tend to eat more than they need to prevent low blood sugar, also known as a "hypo" or hypoglycaemia.

3. Steroid treatment

Steroids, also known as corticosteroids, are used to treat a variety of conditions, including asthma and arthritis. Long-term use of corticosteroid tablets seems to increase appetite in some people, leading to weight gain. "The higher the dose and the longer are on steroids, the more weight are likely to put on,"

4. Cushing's syndrome

Cushing's syndrome is very rare, affecting around 1 in 50,000 people, and is caused by high levels of the hormone cortisol. It can develop as a side effect of long-term steroid treatment (iatogenic Cushing's syndrome) or as a result of a tumur (endogenous Cushing's syndrome).

5. Stress and low mood

People respond differently to stress, anxiety and depressed mood. Some people may lose weight, while others may gain weight.

6. Fluid retention

Fluid retention (edema) causes parts of the body to become swollen, which translates into weight gain. This gain is caused by fluid accumulating in the body.

According to the American Heart Association, a weight gain of more than 2–3 pounds (lb) over 24 hours or 5 lb in a week could be a sign of heart failure.

7. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

"Women with PCOS typically put on weight around their waist. Symptoms can include irregular periods, trouble getting pregnant, excess hair and weight gain.

Non- Medical causes such as

1. Genetics

Obesity has a strong genetic component. Children of obese parents are much more likely to become obese than children of lean parents.

2. Food Availability

Food, especially junk food, is everywhere now. Shops display tempting foods where they are most likely to gain the attention.

3. Misinformation

There are many reasons for this, but the problem largely depends on where people get their information from.Many websites, for example, spread inaccurate or even incorrect information about health and nutrition.

4. Lack of physical activity

In busy people often find less time in spending time to do exercise. and at the same time children are involved more in video games and other computer games. These results in accumulation of excess fat in the body lead to weight gain.

5. Quitting smoking

Some people gain weight initially when they stop smoking tobacco products. Experts believe that this occurs both because nicotine suppresses appetite and because withdrawal symptoms may include stress, which can lead to overeating.

6. Insomnia

Research has shown that a lack of sleep can lead to weight gain. Changes in sleep cycles can affect eating patterns and mood, causing people to overeat.

These are the other factors that can contribute to weight gain in human beings even after choosing fat free diet.