Why are you overweight?

Question

Simply put, overweight people eat more food than they need. So why do some people overeat?

Thanx for all the answers. I understand that some people have medical issues. I was interested to find out if people put their weight issues down to internal factors they could control, or if they handed their weight issues over to external factors which control them. I enjoyed reading ALL the replies.

ps. I am overweight myself because I eat in responce to emotions.

Answer 1

I don't know, I'm 5/7 and weigh 129lbs!

Answer 2

I agree that I do overeat at this point, but I have several other factors that contribute to being overweight.
1 - My thyroid doesn't work, and even though I've been telling my doctor this for 15 years, a "new blood test" only proved me right a couple months ago - the "old blood test" still says I don't have a problem.
2 - My medication is known to cause weight gain and to make you feel hungry all the time. Try not eating when you are hungry. This was extremely hard the first few months until I got used to it, now I can control it so that I don't eat as much.
3 - I can no longer exercise like I use to as I have bone problems in my back and hips. When I do exercise I hurt tremendously. I can not afford a pool, and I can not afford to join a gym. There in no Y that I can go to in my community. I walk for short bursts and that is all I can do.
So I'm overweight, but I do try to walk and not eat too much.
Other people have even more issues that you probably don't know about.
So how come we have to be politically correct about a person's religion, sex, sexual preference, skin color, and even stupidity, but everyone can pick on the fat person and it's OK???

Answer 3

I find this kind of attitude quite ignorant, not all overweight people overeat, nor is it always medical, it can be quite simply eating the wrong thing at the wrong time or slow metabolism. There are quite a lot of skinny people out there that eat crap all the time and are just lucky enough to get away with it, some people are prone to weight gain others arent, there are many reasons for being overweight, and lots of people need to get educated on this and stop being so ignorant.

Answer 4

I am not overweight. Your thesis, simply put, overweight people eat more food than they need may fit in many situations, but it is not an absolute. I was at one time very heavy, we're talking 200+ pounds, and I am 5'6". I ate one small bowl of food per day (less than 700 calories). I tried exercising, and it didn't work. I had a metabolic disorder that had to be treated before I could lose. After that, I lost the weight, and in my doctor's office I met many like me. Don't assume that everyone who is overweight eats too much.

Answer 5

There is a huge range of reasons why people over eat. Alot of these issues affect women more than men. The link between food and emotion can start at a very young age such as being rewarded or comforted with food by their mother. Other reasons people overeat are:
Boredom,
Lonely
Stressed
Guilt
Sad and happy,
as a reward.

I am overweight because i ate for emotional reasons and any of the above can be my trigger.

Answer 6

It can be but isn't always any of the following:

Bad things have happened and in order to increase serotonin and GABA or this can be biological - neurotransmitters/receptors in the brain that alleviate stress. There is also an idea that obese individuals are less sensitive to a protein hormone which regulates appetite and metabolism called Leptin. Furthermore are problems on certain places of the brain e.g the Vagus.

Genetics can also play a part a problem with the thyroid. can effect individuals.Learning- being praised for eating.

Answer 7

High frictose corn syrup is a huge ingredient in most foods anymore, it inhibits factors that tell your body when it is full while also stimulating hunger... a lot of additives do the same, turn off the ability for your body to tell when it is no longer hungry, while turning on hunger.... ever wonder why you can eat a ton at fast food places and still be famished after?

Answer 8

Pretty simple. I eat more than I need to because food is one of life's great pleasures. I don't exercise as much as I need to because I hate getting up early and am too tired at the end of the day. I get plenty of exercise while working but my body is used to it and I need to do more. If an office worker suddenly started doing my job, they would lose weight and gain muscle mass in their arms and legs, guaranteed.

Answer 9

Just a habit really. When I'm bored I just go get something to munch on.
I think its because my fridge and cupboards are always stocked with crisps and chocolates as my family are crispaholics and chocoholics.

Answer 10

I'm not only fat, but I'm getting old. My problem is not how much I eat, but the fact that I have an injury that makes it painful to excercise.

Answer 11

Because I just Lurrrrrrrvvvvve the cake. Dust anybody?