Obesity Myths
This article has been written by The Science of Obesity and can be found here
You’ve probably been told a whole range of myths about obesity. This misinformation, discrimination and stigma impacts what society thinks about obesity and how it’s treated.No matter your competence, it has its limits.
“If you want to lose weight, you should just exercise more”
When you exercise, you may see some initial weight loss. This weight loss changes the hormones in your body that control weight.
For some people, your body resists this weight loss and slows down your metabolism. Your body is trying to compensate for the lost weight by using less energy to burn calories and making you feel hungry.
Your body is trying to push you back to your higher weight.
You’d expect that your body would get used to the ‘new normal’ body weight. Unfortunately, it doesn’t. Even when you return to your previous body weight, your metabolism is slowed down, making it even harder to lose weight in the future.
Exercise is important for health and should be a core component of weight loss programs. However, exercise on its own may not make a big difference to weight loss.
“Your obesity is just caused by poor choices”
Another obesity myth to debunk is that it’s just caused by one too many chocolate biscuits or taking an extra slice of pizza at dinner.
A complex combination of factors, including your genes, where you live, how you think about the world and the access you have to fresh food and exercise all influence your weight.
Maybe lots of food at home is high in fat and sugar?
Or you spend most of your day working or caring for others and find it hard to find time to exercise.
Perhaps you’ve tried to lose weight before and it hasn’t worked?
Maybe being bigger runs in your family?
Perhaps you feel ashamed and you’re not really sure how to feel better?
We use the term ‘obesogenic environment’ to describe an environment that promotes obesity. Your workplace, neighbourhood, media and the availability of fresh food in your area can all influence your weight.
We’ve been told a whole range of myths about the causes of obesity. In truth, most people have many reasons for their weight. One fact about being overweight that we know for sure: it’s not just from poor choices.
“You don’t have enough willpower to lose weight”
Did you know Australians spent about $452 million on weight loss counselling services, low-calorie foods and dietary supplements in 2019-20?
Most people genuinely want to lose weight, but there are many reasons that’s difficult.
Your genes play a big part. They influence whether a diet is going to work and even your desire to exercise.
It also influences your chance of being a higher weight. Studies of twins raised in separate households have shown that obesity is mostly inherited.
“Obesity is in your family, there’s nothing you can do”
Although genetics influences your chances of developing obesity, it’s not the only part. The environment you live in is also important and as you often live with family, particularly growing up, it can all affect your size.
One study found that although there is a gene that can make you more susceptible to gaining weight, this influence is lower in people who are physically active.
Although you can’t help your genes, there are things you can do. You can make the choice to ask for help to manage your weight.
“There’s too much weight to lose to make any difference”
Even minor lifestyle changes can improve your overall health. Small amounts of weight loss have been shown to reduce risk of death from cancer and cardiovascular disease and can help reduce the risk of diabetes and other obesity-related complications.
“You need to solve this alone”
\Would someone with cancer or heart disease be told they need to find treatment without qualified medical help? Of course not.
Obesity is a chronic disease, and we should treat it that way.
Think of obesity like asthma, which also has genetic, physiological and environmental causes.
If you had asthma, you wouldn’t try to treat it without help from your doctor. You definitely wouldn’t feel guilty for having asthma or asking for help.
Chronic diseases like asthma and obesity require medical care and treatment.
