Just as common diseases have documented risk factors, so does weight gain and obesity. Take a close look at the following list of 10 risk factors that might have made your previous weight loss attempts more difficult.
1. Bearing 3 or more children
2. Being overweight as a child or adolescent: It has been noted that the three critical periods of the development of obesity are the prenatal period, between the ages of 5 and 7 and adolescence.
3. Having one or more overweight or obese parent: 80% of children with two obese parents, themselves, become obese.
4. Being a fast food junkie: If you?re eating fast food, you are most likely eating foods with high caloric and fat content. If you eat fast food more than two times a week, your chances of obesity increases by 50%.
5. Beginning menstruation before age 11: Studies show that girls who begin menstruation before age 11, will weigh between 9-11 pounds more than women who started their periods after age 14.
6. You quit smoking within the last year: Individuals tend to gain weight within the first six months that they quit smoking, but generally began to lose weight after this period.
7. Primary weight gain during pregnancy which occurs in the first trimester: In the first trimester, weight gain in excess of 5 to 7 pounds goes to the mom?s fat stores and not to the baby.
8. Gaining more than 35 pounds during pregnancy: For women who gain more than 35 pounds during pregnancy, there is a tendency to hold on to five or more pounds.
9. Eating extra large portions of fat-free or low fat foods:
10. A lifestyle devoid of physical activity
If any of these risk factors are true for you, than you may be at greater risk for weight gain. If this is the case, you must simply work a bit harder at controlling your weight. Creating and committing to an exercise plan, controlling your portion sizes and dealing with any underlying issues that cause you to eat even when you?re not hungry can help you overcome these risk factors and enable you to live at your ideal weight.
