Obesity is a global epidemic (Garrett, p. 172, 2011). Defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more, obesity has increased by 145 percent between 1980 and 2013 (Stelter, p. 1, 2015). Although many people contribute this to laziness, there is a plethora of reasons contributing to the rising obesity rate (S. Thomas, p. 2, 2008). Socioeconomic status, lack of sleep, leading a sedentary lifestyle (Stelter, p. 1, 2014), personality traits, depression, drug use, food addiction, and genetic factors are a handful of elements that affect one’s odds at becoming obese (Zhang, p. 5154, 2014). The growing rate of obesity in today’s society has become such a concern for scientists and nutritionists alike due to the multiple health risks associated
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For instance, although those who completed the Weight Watchers program lost an average of 26.9 pounds, the average person regained over 60 percent of their weight loss in a five year period (Stroebe, p. 182, 2008). Furthermore, 29 percent of Weight Watchers members reported that they have rejoined the program because the diets Weight Watchers provided them were unsustainable (S. Thomas, p. 3, 2008). Bob Garrett (2011) points out a number of factors that influence a dieter’s inability to lose weight such as misrepresenting their efforts, differences in basal metabolism, and the body’s need to defend against weight loss. Misrepresenting one’s efforts is more common than many people think since it can be done unintentionally. In fact, a study of obese dieters unable to lose weight found that the average person underreported the amount of food they consumed by 47 percent. Additionally, another study regarding basal metabolism established that those with a lower basal metabolism rate (BMR) had more trouble losing weight (p. 176). Furthermore, the body defends against weight loss due to genetic factors as well as the lower levels of energy expenditure associated with dieting (Garrett, p. 176, 2011; Stroebe, p. 185, 2008). However, perhaps the most important contribution to dieting being unsuccessful is the fact that many people view dieting as a quick-fix to their problems as …show more content…
Unfortunately, dieting does not appear to be enough in order to lose or maintain weight (Stoebe, p. 188, 2008; Zhang, p. 5167, 2014). Studies with members of the National Weight Control Registry (NWCR), an organization whose members must have been overweight as well as lost and maintained a weight loss of 29.9 pounds for twelve months, have shown that 89 percent combined diet with exercise to lose weight (Stroebe, p. 188, 2008). Furthermore, when schools controlled their environments by improving diet and exercise programs, the obesity rate for female students dropped from 23.6 percent to 20.3 percent (Stroebe, p. 199, 2008). Exercise frequently remains a neglected component to weight loss because it is perceived as more difficult than dieting, in addition to making people feel uncomfortable or humiliated as they struggle to complete a particular activity (S. Thomas, p. 6, 2008). A case study by Dr. Reinhard Stelter (2015) examined the importance of understanding one’s environment and lifestyle choices when trying to lose weight. Stelter began his research by coaching a woman in her late thirties who had numerous unsuccessful attempts to dieting. Stelter found a number of factors that contributed to this woman’s issues losing weight such as working 60 hours a week,
For instance, although those who completed the Weight Watchers program lost an average of 26.9 pounds, the average person regained over 60 percent of their weight loss in a five year period (Stroebe, p. 182, 2008). Furthermore, 29 percent of Weight Watchers members reported that they have rejoined the program because the diets Weight Watchers provided them were unsustainable (S. Thomas, p. 3, 2008). Bob Garrett (2011) points out a number of factors that influence a dieter’s inability to lose weight such as misrepresenting their efforts, differences in basal metabolism, and the body’s need to defend against weight loss. Misrepresenting one’s efforts is more common than many people think since it can be done unintentionally. In fact, a study of obese dieters unable to lose weight found that the average person underreported the amount of food they consumed by 47 percent. Additionally, another study regarding basal metabolism established that those with a lower basal metabolism rate (BMR) had more trouble losing weight (p. 176). Furthermore, the body defends against weight loss due to genetic factors as well as the lower levels of energy expenditure associated with dieting (Garrett, p. 176, 2011; Stroebe, p. 185, 2008). However, perhaps the most important contribution to dieting being unsuccessful is the fact that many people view dieting as a quick-fix to their problems as …show more content…
Unfortunately, dieting does not appear to be enough in order to lose or maintain weight (Stoebe, p. 188, 2008; Zhang, p. 5167, 2014). Studies with members of the National Weight Control Registry (NWCR), an organization whose members must have been overweight as well as lost and maintained a weight loss of 29.9 pounds for twelve months, have shown that 89 percent combined diet with exercise to lose weight (Stroebe, p. 188, 2008). Furthermore, when schools controlled their environments by improving diet and exercise programs, the obesity rate for female students dropped from 23.6 percent to 20.3 percent (Stroebe, p. 199, 2008). Exercise frequently remains a neglected component to weight loss because it is perceived as more difficult than dieting, in addition to making people feel uncomfortable or humiliated as they struggle to complete a particular activity (S. Thomas, p. 6, 2008). A case study by Dr. Reinhard Stelter (2015) examined the importance of understanding one’s environment and lifestyle choices when trying to lose weight. Stelter began his research by coaching a woman in her late thirties who had numerous unsuccessful attempts to dieting. Stelter found a number of factors that contributed to this woman’s issues losing weight such as working 60 hours a week,