5 Obesity Myths Busted by an Expert

Dr.Prabhat Sinha, 3 mins read

Being obese not only welcomes various diseases (heart diseases, strokes, type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, and digestive problems) but anxiety, too, owing to fat-shaming. Additionally, thoughts that are sometimes even conducive to depression may brew in the mind. Over the years, obesity rates have been going up. Even a study corroborates the same; one out of every four in India falls in the overweight category.

But the problems related to obesity don’t end here. The real issues are the myths spread in society. Some link this disease to poor eating habits and a sedentary lifestyle. Albeit these reasons can cause obesity, there are other factors too. Furthermore, some think that weight loss will fix this issue. Do you also think the same?

Well, this is the half-truth. Abnormally losing weight can lead to many other complications. So, it’s always better to understand the ‘behind-the-scenes’ of myths. Here, we have combined 5 common myths and decoded the real facts about them.

What is Obesity?

Obesity is a condition in which the body accumulates unwanted fat that presents a health risk. It’s not just a cosmetic problem. It also raises medical concerns. People with BMI (Body Mass Index - measure of body fat derived by dividing the body mass by the square of the body height) over 30 falls into the category of obesity.

Types of Obesity

• Class I obesity: BMI 30 to <35 kg/m2
• Class II obesity: BMI 35 to <40 kg/m2
• Class III obesity: BMI 40+ kg/m2

Causes of Obesity

• High-Calorie Diet
• Adding more sugar to the diet
• Eating a lot of processed food
• Psychological factors like boredom, anxiety, loneliness, and depression
• Certain medications like steroids, antidepressants, and anti-seizure medications
• Screen culture - people are spending a lot of their time on mobile or computer screens
• Long desk-bounded work schedule
• Physical inactivity
• Sedentary lifestyle 

Myth 1: Sex Can Burn 300 Kcals

Fact: You may have come across this myth many times. But does sex help burn 300 Kcals? Or does it help reduce weight faster? Well, truth be told, no! This is just a false claim. In reality, you can lose, on average, 1/20th of 300 kcals when you involve in sex.

Myth 2: Obesity Causes Diabetes

Fact: Obesity is often blamed for diabetes. But is this true? So, the answer is no. Albeit obesity is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes, not everyone with obesity develops diabetes. And not all type 2 diabetes patients have obesity. So, this clearly shows that obesity does not always lead to diabetes.

Myth 3: Obese People are Often Considered Lazy

Fact: A desk-bound and inactive lifestyle is a risk factor for obesity, and adopting a proactive lifestyle can bolster weight loss, but many factors other than inactivity pile up to obesity.

As Per Research the steps count of people reduced as their weight increased, but the differences are not significant as predicted. So, people with obesity don’t always mean they are lazy. 

Myth 4: Obesity is a Problem Only for Adults

Fact: These days, many children are overweight. People think that this age is a period of rapid growth. Thus they will lose weight with age. But not all children necessarily outgrow obesity. So, obesity can also have an adverse impact on children.

Myth 5: People with Obesity Have Slower Metabolism

Fact: Some people accuse slower metabolism of obesity. However, there is no study to testify about this. Larger bodies have higher resting metabolic rates because they require more energy to perform various functions. Body composition plays a role in the speed of metabolism, not weight. 

Takeaway!

“Fight obesity, regain confidence.” Obesity has a bad impact on self-confidence, aesthetics, and overall health. But it’s not that there is no weapon to win this war. You can! You need to motivate yourself and adopt a healthy lifestyle to reduce unwanted fat.

Also, Read: Health Effects of Overweight and Obesity