Obesity in Families and Drug-Induced Obesity: Calorie Imbalance is the Real Killer

*Calculation method of skeleton*

**Skeleton coefficient (r) = Height (cm) ÷ Wrist circumference (cm)**

Small skeleton (S) Medium skeleton (M) Large skeleton (L)

**◆The Fate Chain of Obese Families-Genetic Factors**

As the saying goes, "Like begets like," and "Like father, like son." This illustrates the undeniable homogeneity between parents and children. A family history of obesity genes often results in the next generation appearing "chubby," even with a normal diet. Genetic factors contributing to obesity include the distribution and size of fat cells, a lower basal metabolic rate, and abnormal secretion of endocrine systems such as thyroid hormones, growth hormones, and sex hormones.

People who grow up in families with obese members may experience more frustration than others when trying to lose weight. However, as long as they set reasonable goals and plans and proceed gradually, changes will definitely occur. Even losing just 10% of body weight can significantly reduce the incidence and mortality rates of many chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Individuals with congenital obesity should note that if their weight exceeds the standard weight by 20%, they should consult a doctor and undergo a thorough biochemical test before attempting to lose weight. If the test reveals an endocrine issue, the condition should be treated medically first before starting any weight loss plan.

**Disadvantageous Factors That Shape Body Shape-Medications and Diseases**

The so-called "American magic pill"-steroids-should not be taken indiscriminately. However, for certain inflammatory conditions caused by autoimmune diseases, daily administration of steroids is an unavoidable choice. However, because steroids are very effective in suppressing allergies and reducing inflammation, they are often misused.

Some doctors or traditional Chinese medicine practitioners add steroids to their prescriptions for treating colds or arthritis in order to make patients feel that the medicines they prescribe are effective very quickly. After taking the medicine, the symptoms may disappear immediately, but they will often relapse, and the illness will not only not get better, but will become more and more serious.

Long-term use of steroids can affect sodium excretion, leading to water retention and edema. Patients may develop a "moon face" and "buffalo hump," and their weight will naturally increase significantly. For these patients, typical weight loss programs are absolutely unsuitable.

Besides medication, certain endocrine disorders such as hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, abnormal growth hormone secretion, and unstable sex hormone levels can all cause abnormal weight fluctuations. If your obesity is partly caused by medication or illness, you should first control these adverse factors before embarking on a weight loss plan under the guidance of a doctor.

**◆The real killer of your figure-calorie imbalance**

While genetic predisposition, medications, and diseases can all contribute to obesity, over 95% of obesity cases are caused by an imbalance in calorie intake. Calories are the body's energy source; without energy, life cannot exist.

Because even something as small as a breath or a heartbeat requires energy, and the source of human energy is food. However, although energy is a necessary factor for the continuation of life, if you eat too much high-calorie food or have irregular meals that lead to excessive calorie absorption, your body will store the excess energy, which will be reflected in your "weight".

***The relationship between calories and body weight***

Calorie imbalance → Weight gain

Calorie balance → Weight stability

Calorie imbalance → Weight loss

Besides being essential for basic life functions, calories are also the fuel for activity. The intensity of our physical activity is directly proportional to calorie expenditure; therefore, activity level also determines whether the food you eat will be stored as weight. If you don't want excess calories to turn into weight, increasing your physical activity to promote calorie expenditure and achieve calorie balance will help you maintain a stable weight.

In daily life, we should create more opportunities for ourselves to move around, such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Think about it: are you the kind of "lazybones" who will walk instead of running, stand instead of walking, sit instead of standing, and lie down instead of sitting? Rome wasn't built in a day, and obesity is never without reason. Understanding the causes of obesity and addressing them accordingly is the only way to truly cure the disease.

**Decreased metabolic rate – middle-aged obesity**

Many people probably have a similar question in their minds: "When I was young, I could eat two bowls of rice at every meal, and I would eat ice cream and snacks, but I would never gain weight! Now, I can't even eat two bowls of rice, I gain weight just by drinking water. How can this be?"

The principle is actually quite simple: as we age, our metabolic rate decreases, and consequently, our calorie needs also gradually decrease. On average, women require about 5 fewer calories per year of age, while men require about 7 fewer calories per year of age. Therefore, if your food intake and exercise levels remain unchanged, the calories your body can't burn will accumulate as you age, leading to a significant increase in weight-this is the reason behind what's commonly known as "middle-aged weight gain."

In fact, for most people over thirty, not only does weight become increasingly difficult to control, but body fat also seems to tend to accumulate in the abdomen and buttocks. Some people may not change their weight, but their body shape gradually becomes more rounded (women often become pear-shaped, while men become apple-shaped). At this point, maintaining a good figure requires not only restricting diet but also continuous exercise to increase the ratio of lean muscle to fat. As long as the fat percentage doesn't increase and fat doesn't accumulate, the abdomen and buttocks will naturally not "grow."