We hear about the dangers of obesity constantly in the media. Having excess weight can put you at risk for diabetes, cancer, and heart issues, just to name a few. This battle with the scale is nothing new, as people have been “dieting” for decades, but a new study shows weight loss may be much harder for the millennial generation than it was for older adults.
There is, apparently, more to it than simply burning more calories than you consume. Researchers from York University studied dietary habits of over 36,000 people between 1971 and 2008, and exercise routines of 14,400 people between 1988 and 2006. They found that a person who consumed the same amount of calories in 2006 as a similar person in 1988 would have a BMI 2.3 points higher. This could have been easily explained if people in 1988 were more active, but they also found that there is 120% increase in physical activity in the millennial generation, making the findings even harder to decipher.
So what is causing this weight gain if it isn’t eating too much or exercising too little? Scientists are only speculating, but some of the things they think may contribute are lack of sleep, medications that cause weight gain (such as antidepressants), environmental pollution, or a diet that has eliminated healthy biomes essential for efficient digestion.
While the answers are uncertain, what is clear is that it is much harder to lose weight than it was in the 80’s. Just putting on that Jane Fonda workout and slipping on those leg warmers isn’t going to cut it for this generation. Weight loss is much more complex and needs to consider more factors than just counting calories and regular exercise.
If you’re trying to lose weight and finding yourself frustrated, Lake Pointe Chiroporactic and Wellness Center may be able to help you. Our goal is to achieve overall wellness for our clients, looking at all the factors involved. We use a variety of tools and resources to design a comprehensive wellness plan that will not only help you lose weight, but take care of other medical issues as well.
If, in fact, you are struggling to lose weight because of other factors that have nothing to do with your diet or exercise, we can help you discover what those barriers are and recommend a way to overcome them. Our clients are like family to us, and we want to see you enjoying a life that experiences wellness in all areas. For more information or to schedule a consultation, contact us.
