It’s simple to check your own BMI. Simply use an online BMI calculator like ours. Enter your weight and height, and the calculator will provide your BMI result along with a range to help you determine into which category you fall.

Underweight

If your BMI is less than 18.5, you are considered underweight. Being underweight can be just as stressful on your body as being overweight. Some health concerns for underweight people are as follows:

• Weakening of the immune system
•  Higher risk of osteoporosis
•  Infertility

Being seriously underweight can lead to problems with your heart and other organs. Talk to your doctor about healthy ways to add weight, including increasing your caloric intake with healthy foods and strength training to develop lean muscle.

Normal

When your BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9, your weight is considered normal for your height. It is possible to have a normal BMI and have troubles associated with being overweight, including high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes. Eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly to stay within this range. Have regular checkups with your doctor to make sure your cholesterol and insulin levels are good.

Overweight

If your BMI is 25 to 29.9, you are considered overweight. This category can be tricky and is the most difficult to interpret. One of the flaws of BMI measurement is that it only measures total weight. It doesn’t take into account your skeletal structure or your muscle mass. Since muscle is denser than fat, if you are fairly muscular you will weigh more than an average person of your height, even though you may look leaner. Professional athletes often have BMIs in the overweight category although they have hardly any fat on their bodies.

To help determine if you are truly overweight, your doctor will use a caliper to take a body fat reading. If you do in fact fall into this category, it’s time to consider a lifestyle change. Even a moderate amount of extra weight increases your risk for a number of health conditions, including stroke, heart attack and diabetes.

Obese

If your BMI is over 30, you are medically obese. As your BMI rises, your health risks are considerably greater. According to a study co-authored by the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute and published in 2010 in the New England Journal of Medicine, one in three Americans over the age of 20 are obese. Approximately 17 percent of women and 11 percent of men are severely obese, with BMIs over 40.

One of the most frightening results of the study is that people with BMIs of 30 to 35 have a 44 percent increase in their risk of death, compared to people with BMIs in the normal range. People with BMIs between 35 and 40 increase their risk of death by 88 percent. Those with BMIs over 40 have an astonishing 250 percent increased risk of death. According to the study, these numbers remained static, regardless of other risk factors, including alcohol use and activity level.

Why is the increased risk of death so dramatic? A higher-than-30 BMI drastically increases your chances of developing the following serious health conditions:

•  High blood pressure
•  Stroke
•  Heart disease
•  Diabetes
•  Difficulty breathing
•  Certain types of cancer

While many people are aware of these risks, few are aware that a BMI in the obese range means tremendous kidney strain. One study found that nearly 35 percent of kidney disease could be prevented if obesity were not a factor. The same study found that the overweight people had a 40 percent increased risk of kidney disease compared to those with normal BMIs, and obesity meant an 83 percent higher risk.

If you are overweight or obese, work with your doctor to create a weight loss plan focused on a healthy diet and exercise plan. Reducing your BMI will reduce your risk of disease and early death.

Sources:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bmi-calculator/NU00597

http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/news/News/high-bmi-linked-to-higher-risk-of-death

http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/publications/nutritioninsights/insight16.pdf

http://www.renalandurologynews.com/high-bmi-raises-kidney-disease-risk/article/108872/

http://www.nature.com/ki/journal/v73/n1/abs/5002586a.html

When tracking down the sources of excess fat in your diet, the two primary culprits are likely to be dairy foods and meats. Look at these lists for ways you can cut back your fat intake:

Dairy

1.  Whole milk

It can be easier on your family to make the milk switch gradually. Transition down to 2 percent milk. After that, work down to 1 percent and then to skim. It might take some time, but once your family is drinking skim, you will wonder how you ever choked down the whole milk!

2.  Ice cream

There are many great lower-fat options when it comes to ice cream. Most of the major brands have low-fat versions of your favorite flavors. Frozen yogurt is also a great low-fat option. To really cut the fat, try whole fruit sorbets.

3.  Sour cream

Reduced-fat and nonfat versions of sour cream are available, but for cooking, try nonfat plain yogurt.

4.  Cheese

Reduced-fat and reduced-calorie cheeses are available. You may have to experiment to find one that you like. One good option is part-skim mozzarella. You can’t tell the difference and it melts just as well.

5.  Whipped cream

Look for whipped cream made with nonfat milk. While not quite the same, it is a good everyday substitute. Watch out for nondairy whipped toppings:  They may still be high in fat; they just use vegetable oils instead of dairy fats.

Meats

1.  Cold cuts

Plenty of good lunchmeat options are available with little to no fat. Look for lighter turkey, ham and chicken options in your grocery’s deli.

2.  Bacon

Swap out bacon with Canadian bacon slices or turkey bacon. Some brands of turkey bacon are quite good and work well, especially in recipes or as bacon bits.

3.  Ground beef

Purchase lean ground beef, preferably with a fat content of less than 10 percent. Ground lean turkey also makes a great substitute when making chili or pasta sauce. Another option is to drain the meat very well when you cook it and rinse it to remove any extra fat.

4.  Breaded fish

Instead of purchasing fish sticks or other baked or fried breaded fish products from the freezer section, purchase fresh fish directly from the fish counter. It tastes better and is a much healthier option. Plus, it’s loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, a very healthy type of fat your body needs.

5.  Beef cuts

To choose lean cuts of beef, there are certain key words on the label to look for:  “Loin” and “round” indicate lean cuts of beef. Look for cuts that are well trimmed, or trim it yourself prior to cooking.

6.  Pork

The words to look for when choosing lean pork cuts are “loin” and “leg.” Like beef, trim the visible fat before you cook.

Other sources of fat

While meat and dairy make up the bulk of American fat consumption, fat can also be found in other foods too. You might not even suspect the other places where fat might be lurking!

1.  Ramen noodles

You’re probably aware of the high salt content in ramen noodles, but did you know that they are also high in fat? This is because before the noodles were fried prior to packaging. Try cooking rice or regular pasta instead.

2.  Granola

This is one of the hidden sources of fat. Many granolas are baked with vegetable oil. Try eating bran or rice cereals instead. Reduced-fat granolas can also be a good option, but be careful as some of these can have higher amounts of sugar.

3.  Baked goods

Watch fat content on items like cookies, crackers and muffins. While a blueberry muffin might sound like a healthy option, you might be surprised by how much fat is hidden inside. Look for reduced-calorie versions, or substitute French rolls, bagels or English muffins. To satisfy a sweet tooth, choose angel-food cake. It’s much lighter than other types of cake and tastes delicious topped with fresh fruit.

4.  Potato chips

If you are craving something salty and crunchy, dodge the chips. Popcorn is a much better option. Pop it using an air-popper and you can control the toppings. Try some grated Parmesan cheese and herbs for a savory, crunchy treat.

5.  Dressings

Look for reduced-fat varieties and avoid creamy dressings. Try sprinkling your salad with flavored vinegar or fresh herbs instead for a burst of flavor with no added fat.

Remember that portion control is also important. Choosing reduced-fat options won’t help if you eat the entire package. Watch labels carefully!

Before Your Workout

If you eat too much just before a workout, you can feel sluggish and not be able to exercise comfortably. However, if you don’t eat frequently enough between workouts, your blood sugar can drop and cause tiredness and light-headedness.  In addition to quantity, the types of food you eat before and after a workout make a difference.  Foods full of protein and complex carbohydrates provide more energy for longer periods than simple sugars do.

Before a hard workout, eat a meal that will help you sustain energy throughout the exercise.  After you exercise, your body needs to refuel itself.  Be sure to eat the best quality foods to sustain your energy level.

Avoid Fiber

Foods high in fiber can take a long time to digest.  Normally, this is a good thing. Fiber provides energy to keep you active throughout the day and is an important part of your regular diet.  Avoid fiber directly before and after a workout however, since it can cause bloating or discomfort that will make exercising difficult.  High-fiber foods also take too long to deliver a shot of energy-replenishing nutrients immediately after a workout.

Focus instead on foods that deliver carbohydrates and protein, and be sure to drink plenty of water.  By eating small, nutrient-packed snacks before and after your workout, you will keep your metabolism steady and enjoy the benefits of exercise without feeling an energy crash.

Foods to Avoid During Exercise

Sugary snacks, such as fruit juice with added sugar, soda, chocolate bars, and other sweets, are loaded not only with sugar but also with empty calories.  Even some so-called energy bars are little more than repackaged candy bars.  When you eat these foods, the sugar metabolizes too quickly in your system and causes your energy level to crash.  You’ll feel hungry shortly afterwards, and you may feel shaky and weak during your workout.

After Your Workout

Vegetables, such as carrots and celery, make a great between-meal snack, but to fuel up after a workout you should aim for a higher-calorie choice.  Remember that your body has shed a lot of nutrients and needs to replenish that energy to keep your metabolism high.  If you skip eating after a workout, or eat low-calorie foods, your metabolism might fall into starvation mode and negate all your hard work.

Try to stick with low fat foods, especially after a workout.  After exercise, your body craves protein to rebuild muscles and carbohydrates to raise energy.  Because of the way fat is stored in your body, it does not contribute to replenishing nutrients lost during a workout.

Avoid Salt, Seek Potassium

To be healthy, you must maintain a correct balance of salt and potassium in your diet.  Most foods, especially processed foods, are loaded with sodium as a preservative and flavor enhancer. Even though you lose some salt through perspiration when working out, you probably won’t lose enough to make a positive difference.  Instead, you should focus on consuming more potassium to compensate for a saltier-than-necessary diet.  Eating too much salt can cause water retention, dehydration, and heart disease.

1. Make lifestyle changes.

In order to lose weight you must change your lifestyle. If you’re referring to your journey as a “diet” then I’m afraid you’re just going to put all the weight back on again. By changing your whole lifestyle you are changing and breaking bad habits which will set you on track for long term success. Diets are temporary, lifestyle changes are permanent.

2. Controlled diet and exercise.

It’s true all you need to do is control what you eat and use more energy than you consume to lose those extra pounds. Remember you’re eating with a fork, not a shovel. Slow down so your brain has time to tell your stomach it’s full.

3. Record your progress.

A great way to record your weight loss journey is to take pictures. Being able to see before and after pictures is great motivation.

4. Reach out for support.

Inform you family and friends of your new weight loss journey and let them know you need their support. If you don’t let them know they may sabotage you without even realizing it. Also join a support group, there are hundreds of online communities out there. Most of the people have been in the same situation or are going through the same highs and lows. These groups offer moral support and make the journey a whole lot easier.

5. Set goals, realistic ones.

Find your ideal weight for your body type and set smaller goals along the way to your ultimate one. It’s no use setting crazy, unrealistic goals that are going to be almost impossible to accomplish. Remember slow and steady ultimately wins the race.

6. Read labels.

It’s not fun and makes grocery shopping tedious, but it’s crucial you know what your actually putting in your mouth. Pay close attention to the calorie count, ingredients and serving sizes.

7. Find an activity you enjoy.

Find an exercise activity that isn’t a chore and you actually enjoy. It could be jogging with the dog, sitting on a stationary bike in front of the television or swimming at the local pool. If you’re doing something you enjoy your more likely to stick to it and do it on a regular basis.

8. Zone out whilst exercising.

Invest in a MP3 player and listen to tunes as you exercise, read your favorite magazine or watch television. This will help you zone out from what your actually doing and time will fly by.

9. Don’t make comparisons.

Everyone has a different body shape and everyone will lose weight differently. So don’t get discouraged by comparing your body to others.

10. Get your Z’s.

To efficiently burn fat your body needs a minimum of eight hours sleep per night. Sleep is very important, it allows your body and mind to recharge.

Just remember it’s not going to happen overnight. There is no magic pill that will make you slim in a week, month or even year. But make the right choices, follow these tips and soon you will slowly start feeling and looking healthier. Always remember it’s a lifestyle change that you’re making.

The newest fad diet is the hCG diet and people are head over heels in love with it. It’s as if the miracle diet has finally hit the market. The diet claims to help people lose:

• A pound or two a day
• Up to 30 pounds in a month
• Instant weight loss with no hunger

Too Good to be True?

While it seems as though it’s the best way to lose weight, it may not be all that’s cracked up to be. Sure – you’ll drop weight faster than you could have ever imagined. You won’t even have that craving for food that you have with other diets.

The problem is this – the likelihood that you’ll keep it off is low. You’re only allowed to eat 500 calories a day. Diets that rely on starvation have proven to cause people to regain the weight they lost after they stopped dieting.

Your body goes into starvation mode and when you start eating again, it wants to keep everything you are consuming in case there’s another period of “starvation.” It’s your body’s way to protect you. It doesn’t know that you are dieting and trying to lose and keep off the weight intentionally.

All that work you did only eating a turkey sandwich each day will go to waste. You’ll be slim for a few months and right back to where you are now in another few months. It doesn’t seem worth it, does it? Well, here’s some more information on the worth of this diet.

No one can eat only a sandwich and feel satisfied all day. To keep you from foraging for food and feeling famished, the hCG diet involves taking the hormone daily.

hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) is a hormone women produce when they conceive. This hormone suppresses appetite in non-pregnant women and men when taken in high doses. You can take hCG by injection or ingesting liquid drops.

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned the public that using weight loss aids with hCG are illegal and potentially unsafe. While the FDA has yet to find out how the supplements affect health, they continue to research it to advise people the potential health hazards associated with them.

The Centers of Disease Control (CDC) already know the effects of low calorie diet. People have a higher risk for gallstones, hair loss, constipation and many other health issues. When combined with hCG, it’s uncertain how detrimental it could be to health.

Is it Effective?

There’s speculation that the hCG supplements don’t work. Studies have shown that people who simply think they are taking hCG, while really ingesting a placebo, had the same appetite suppression. Therefore, it’s not actually the hormone that staves off hunger, but the thought that it does.

The mind is a powerful motivator and you can do just about anything when you convince yourself of something. Tell yourself you aren’t hungry and you’ll stop feeling starved. Tell yourself that the large slice of chocolate cake is disgusting and you don’t want to eat it and you can calm your craving.

So why is that you can’t lose weight in a healthier manner by simply using your mind and eating less? There’s temptation everywhere that makes it difficult for you to convince yourself without depending on the influence of a supplement like hCG.

The Reality of Dieting

People are desperate to lose weight and they want to do it quickly with the least amount of suffering. hCG has made this a reality for many people. Even with the reports that the diet can lead to serious health condition, many favor looking good over being healthy.

The only thing is that people can achieve the same results as the hCG diet in a healthy way without having the rebound weight gain. Changing your diet so you eat healthier food and increasing your physical activity is the best way to lose weight and keep it off. Your body will learn that it doesn’t need the extra calories and you won’t feel hungry after you’ve changed your eating and activity levels for a few days. You can’t be on a diet forever and to keep diet weight off, you have to be. Change your lifestyle to be the healthy person you want to be for the rest of your life.

When considering your next diet plan, ask yourself the following questions before you begin. Then discuss the dietary changes with your doctor before beginning.

1. Does the diet offer a range of foods?

A diet that revolves around one food or type of food will deprive dieters of a balanced intake of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, minerals, calories and vitamins that a balanced diet demands. Fad diets do not typically contain adequate fruit and vegetables in the quantities that your body needs. A good diet will include fruit, dairy, protein, cereals, vegetables and bread.

2. Is your diet short on carbohydrates? Low carb diets are among the most damaging weight loss methods. People often feel constantly tired while they are on low carb diets, and sometimes report constipation and other symptoms associated with an unbalanced diet.

Low carb dietary regimes could deprive the organs of your body – including your brain - of enough carbohydrates to function properly.  While science does not wholly understand the enduring consequences of low-carb diets, it is a fact that they do not contain the sources of nourishment to sustain enduring health. In addition, those who follow them often suffer side effects such as constipation and fatigue.

With the severe limitations the fad diets place on your eating choices, if there are not enough calories going into your body, it will draw the energy it needs from muscle tissue. The outcome is not only drastic weight loss, but also your appearance suffers due to an absence of muscle. Without muscle, your body will not burn the calories it needs to, so the weight starts to pile back on.

3. Does your diet guarantee a large weight loss in a short time?

The loss of weight that comes as a result of rapid diets is frequently only water, and it returns as quickly as it vanished.

4. Does your diet include an exercise plan?

Fad diets are focused on the positive results of changes to the kind of food you eat, with little or no advice regarding exercise. Neither is there any warning about the possibility of symptoms like diarrhea, low blood pressure and dehydration.

5. Does the diet require that you buy a dietary supplement, pills or a shake?

Some diets are associated with supplementary products that should only be taken under the guidance of a nutritionist. If you do not have this guidance, the supplements will not be an integrated part of a real diet plan and could do more harm than good.

6. Does the diet offer any kind of plan beyond the promised early weight loss?

Real and permanent weight loss is the result of a long-term change in eating habits and alterations in lifestyle. Fad diets do not include a plan for motivating the dieter after the initial loss of weight. If you are not offered assistance with sustaining a healthy weight, where is the point in dieting?

Because every person has a different personality, distinctive habits and a unique metabolism, it is impossible to make blanket recommendations but changes like walking to buy a paper instead of taking the car, drinking water instead of soft drink and juice, or making use of the stairs instead of the elevator will make a positive difference if combined with healthy food choices. This is where regular consultation with a doctor or nutritionist is necessary.

If your diet plan doesn’t offer a realistic diet that you can follow for a life time, the results will be temporary at best and possibly dangerous to your health. Remember this when considering your next diet plan.

Factors Affecting Metabolism

The difference in the rates at which fat burns can be affected by time of life, whether the person watches what they eat, how much exercise they do, whether they drink coffee or alcohol, and many other diet and lifestyle factors. While some products on the market claim to help with burning fat, some simple changes to what you eat and the kind of exercise you do will help to speed up your metabolism without pricey supplements.

Nutrients that Boost Metabolism

Some types of proteins, fats and carbohydrates help to burn fat. Organically fed beef and poultry provide proteins that help increase the metabolic rate. Up to one third of a person’s diet should consist of protein. Fish also helps but tuna and the other large fish could possibly contain heavy metals, so it would be best to stick to anchovies, clams, sea bass, halibut, herring and salmon.

Foods with a low level of carbohydrates also help the body to expend fat. The average diet should only contain about fifty grams of carbohydrates. That is not to say that you would benefit by eating less carbs than that. Carbohydrates help with maintaining energy levels and mental alertness. Somebody attempting to maintain a healthy weight should get their carbohydrates from food that is rich in fiber. This will release the carbs into the system at a reasonable rate without creating a spike in the blood sugar level. Spinach, peaches, nectarines, pears, celery, bell peppers, cherries, strawberries, apples and blueberries are all healthy foods that contain carbohydrates.

Healthy Fats

There are also good fat foods. These incorporate polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats that help the body to absorb vitamins and promote healthy functioning of the immune system. They also help to reduce the risk of heart attacks by lowering cholesterol levels.

Fish such as mackerel, tuna and trout are high in good fats, bearing in mind to limit eating fish that contain mercury to once a week. Black cod, oysters, anchovies and halibut contain monounsaturated fats. There are oils that contain good fats: hemp seed oil, grape seed oil, flax seed and olive oil are all good. Hazelnuts, cashews, peanuts and almonds are sources of good fats. Sesame, pumpkin, chia and sunflower seeds are also rich in good fats.

How Much You Eat Influences Metabolism

While there are certain foods that are good for maintaining a healthy weight, your metabolism can actually be influenced by how much you eat, and when. A good supply of energy is maintained throughout the day by eating six small sized meals three hours apart. It is very important that one of these meals is breakfast because the energy boost it provides will help your metabolism work at a higher rate.

Sleep is a very important factor in speeding up the metabolism, as it helps renew brain cells. Deep sleep induces the manufacture of growth hormone, which helps calories burn faster.

Exercise that accelerates the heart rate, and maintains that rate for some time after is known as cardiovascular – or cardio – exercise. Mild cardio is necessary every day to speed up the metabolism and burn calories. Most people who lead busy lives can easily get this kind of exercise from walking.

The task of speeding up your metabolism isn’t something you can do simply by popping supplements. But several simple life changes, including six small meals, a good amount of sleep, a daily walk, and some adjustments to your diet are the building blocks of a fast metabolism.

When Self Control Breaks Down

Binge eating often starts with the efforts to control over eating. At some point, dieters find themselves unable to sustain the self-control needed to stop overeating. At some point, they give in to the desire to overeat in a big way, partaking in a binge. These short bursts of over-indulging in food result in increased calorie intake, beyond those a person can burn each day.

Binge eating gives its victims temporary peace of mind. Letting down the barriers they put up to resist food urges sets them free from the limitations they have set for themselves. While they eat, they focus on the pleasure of eating, rather than boredom, depression, loneliness or anger that inspires the desire to over eat in the first place. Because these negative feelings are rooted in self-imposed discipline, rebelling brings a brief moment of genuine peace.

The joy of binge eating is in the present moment. The victim can worry about excessive weight gain later, because the ice cream tastes good right now. If there are few avenues of self-fulfillment or relief from stress in a person’s life, binge eating can be tempting; especially if it has been shown to give comfort in the past.

Consequences of Binge Eating

There are nasty consequences to binge eating; not only the prospect of gaining weight. Following a spell of binge eating, the victim feels ashamed of the behavior and becomes filled with self-disgust. In spite of these strong feelings, any memory of these after-effects is pushed aside when the temptation to escape stress with binge eating arises next time.

An interesting aspect of binge eating is that not every binge eater becomes depressed about the resulting weight gain, even if it leads to serious obesity. Some simply place no importance on a healthy or attractive figure.

Taming the Binge Beast

Repetitive binge eating often alerts the victim to the problem but is rarely enough to break the cycle. Compulsive binge eating will only stop after the victim recognizes the feelings and thought patterns that trigger the behavior. Breaking the binge eating pattern relies on setting up a series of small but life-changing routines.

One particular style of preparation can help a binge eater break the behavior. This behavioral tactic works with all problems related to self-control. The trick is to find a distraction that takes the mind off of food. Finding another activity that involves repetitive motions can be a big help. Activities such as knitting, crochet, paper folding and other crafts can allow binge eaters to keep their hands busy on other projects instead of reaching for food. The creative aspects of these activities offer outlets for stress that can eliminate the need for binge eating in the first place.

Some simply lack discipline in general and can benefit from regular meal times and set portion sizes. Keeping a lot of food eaten during the day, displayed in a prominent place, such as a refrigerator, can help eaters keep their daily food intake in perspective.

Journaling

When other methods fail, journaling usually prevails. While it requires the greatest time commitment, it is also the most effective at helping binge eaters identify the source of the problem and find other ways to cope with it. Journaling also prevents dieters from fooling themselves about their eating habits.

Dieters should write down what they ate and how they felt just before eating, how hungry they were that day and the daily stressors affect that day. Over time, they can chart these factors on a graph and note similarities in days or times of day when binge behavior occurs. Writing the information down externalizes the events, allowing the dieter to see the events as if they were happening to someone else, making it easier to recognize patters and change behaviors.

It’s True for All Ages

The research shows that weight gain happens to television viewers of all ages, and the results are not skewed toward one gender or the other. Overall, everyone who watches television on a regular basis is almost 1/4 more likely to become obese than people who don’t watch very much television. It is possible that people who develop a TV-watching habit as children increase their chances of gaining excess weight because they are likely to continue the habit throughout their lives. Carrying extra weight can lead to many different illnesses including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

The TV Lifestyle Causes Obesity

So if it’s not the television that adds the pounds, what is it? Most doctors say that it is the lifestyle that goes along with watching TV that leads to a higher chance of becoming fat. When you watch television, your metabolism actually slows down to a level that is lower than when you are sleeping. Your body stops working so hard, which means it stops burning calories. If you spend several hours a day watching television, your body can’t possibly use up all of the food you eat in a normal day, so more of your food is converted to fat.

What You Eat While You Watch Makes a Difference

Another part of the culture of watching TV is snacking. People like to eat while they are engrossed in a TV program. The trouble with TV snacks is that most of them are unhealthy. Potato chips, buttered popcorn and salted peanuts are perfect to munch on while you are busy watching a show. Unfortunately they are also full of empty calories and lots of fat and sodium that can cause you to gain weight quickly. If your favorite TV food is sugary, like chocolate, your weight gain could happen even faster.

TV Ads Encourage You to Eat Unhealthy Foods

The commercials on TV don’t help you keep the weight off. Fast food restaurants and candy bar manufacturers know that you can get a little peckish when you’re sitting in front of the TV, and they take full advantage of it. Research has shown that when kids watch commercials for sugary sweets or fast food, they tend to want those unhealthy foods more often. A commercial that shows a mouth-watering pizza or Big Mac has the same effect on adults. Advertisers spend billions of dollars every year to figure out how to make you want their products. If the product is unhealthy food, you’re more likely to skip the good stuff and head to the nearest drive thru after your favorite show is over.

The More TV You Watch, the More Ads You’ll See

Reinforcement is an ingenious advertising tool. You might be able to resist the chocolate sundae ad the first time you see it. You may even be able to put it out of your mind after you see it two or three times. Eventually, though, the advertisers will begin to wear out your ability to resist their products. The longer you sit in front of the TV, the more ads you are going to be subjected to. Watching more commercials only makes you more likely to eat something that is probably not good for you.

Eating While You Watch Is Dangerous

Even if you tend to eat healthy snacks while you watch TV, you probably eat more than you should. Television distracts you from what you’re eating so you eventually lose track of how many times your hand has gone from the bowl to your mouth. If the show you’re watching is especially interesting, you might eat without realizing it from the moment the show starts until the excitement is over.

TV Is a Time-Eater

Have you ever said that you don’t have time to exercise? What if you took that time away from the two or more hours that you spend sitting on the couch watching television? Time management can be difficult when you set aside a large part of your day for the TV. You might decide to eat something fast and easy instead of something healthier that takes longer to prepare because you don’t want to miss something on TV. Research shows that regular television watchers tend to eat frozen food or fast food more often because they feel they don’t have time to cook. Yet they have plenty of time for watching television.

http://www.insteadoftv.com/does-tv-make-you-fat.html

http://www.ahealthblog.com/food-advertising-on-tv-influences-unhealthy-food-choice-in-children.html

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110919113636.htm

Researchers also found that overweight teenagers tend to participate in more damaging behavior than normal-weight kids. The overweight teens use tobacco, alcohol and drugs far more than their peers who don’t have weight trouble. Part of the reason for the increased substance abuse could tie into the fact that these kids want to lose weight but don’t really understand how to do it in a way that works.

Video Games Keeping Kids on the Couch

Overweight boys who mentioned they would like to lose weight failed to connect between the idea of physical activity and how it impacts weight gain. Most of the boys in a recent study said they played video games at least three hours every day and did very little physical exercise. The link between watching television and obesity has long been understood by doctors, and the same link could translate to video game use. These boys could have seen positive weight loss if they had simply put down the controllers and exercised for half hour every day. The trouble was that they didn’t seem to realize their gaming was adding to their frustration with their weight.

Physical Activity Canceled Out by Drinking Soda

Many of the girls who answered questionnaires said they did exercise at least half an hour every day. The problem was that these same girls said they drank at least one 12-ounce soda every day as well. The girls didn’t seem to have a strong understanding of the relationship between soda and their waistlines. If they knew that drinking one can of soda gave them back more calories than they used up on a half-hour walk, they might have chosen their beverages more carefully.

Taking Diets to Extremes

Some teens approach dieting in a way that may harm more than it helps. In general, a healthy teenager’s metabolism is designed to burn off the calories taken in through a healthy diet. Teens who really want to lose weight can achieve their goals by exercising a little more and changing the kinds of foods they eat. Unfortunately, most teens are looking for a silver bullet that will help them lose weight fast. Fad diets and diet pills are far more attractive than exercising and watching their diets.

Teens who become obsessed with weight loss can also harm themselves by exercising too much or cutting too many calories out of their diets. The human body needs a certain mix of vitamins and nutrients in order to function properly, especially when it is still growing. If teenagers decide to lose weight by eating only a specific kind of food or going on a liquid diet without a doctor’s supervision, they can make themselves sick and still fail at losing weight. Fad diets might work in the first week or two, but their long lasting effects tend to cause more problems than the extra weight will cause.

Tobacco Use Higher Among Obese Teens

Researchers also found a disheartening link between obese teenagers and cigarette or chewing tobacco use. The percentage of smoking teens that are overweight is substantially higher than the percentage of normal-weight teens who smoke. Researchers speculate that the increased number of overweight smokers may have something to do with teenagers’ self-esteem when they think they are fat or undesirable. Smoking can become an addictive coping mechanism.

Drinking and Drug Use More Common

Although overweight teenagers were not as likely to have had illicit sex, they were far more likely to have engaged in sex after consuming alcohol or other drugs. Again, self-esteem may play a role in this self-destructive behavior. Overweight teens who were sexually active were twice as likely to have had sex after they were drinking or using drugs as their normal-weight peers. Drinking and drug use can shut out the warning signals and leave overweight teens open to negative consequences.

Sources

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111101095310.htm

http://healthland.time.com/2011/04/25/obese-teens-are-more-likely-to-smoke-have-riskier-sex/

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2011/04/25/peds.2010-2742.abstract