What Determines Weight Gain or Weight Loss?

Popular belief claims that poor people have a rapid metabolism and people that are overweight have a slow metabolism. Yet this is not always the case. Metabolism alone does not determine your weight.

So, what determines your weight?

The weight is, rather, the difference between the calories absorbed and burned. Take more calories than required, and you gain weight. The less calories you take, the more you lose weight.

What is metabolism?

The metabolism is an engine that burns calories and manages the energy you need.

In short, metabolism is the process by which your body converts calories into energy. During this biochemical process, calories, carbohydrates, fats and proteins are combined with oxygen to release the necessary energy to the body for its operation.

The number of calories your body burns each day is called "total expenditure of energy."

What are the factors that make the total expenditure of energy?

There are 3:

1. The basic need

Even when your body is at rest, it needs a minimum daily energy to ensure the efficient operation of your system including breathing, blood circulation, nervous system and so on. Calories needed for these vital activities of the body form the Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR).

Nearly 70% of calories expended each day is the BMR of a person. The energy needed for these vital activities is fairly constant and can not be changed easily.

2. The food processing

Digestion, absorption, transport and storage of food also involve calories. This equates to 10% of calories expended each day. Most of the energy required to process the food is also relatively fixed.

3. Physical activity

Physical activities like playing tennis, walking, walking the dog or other movements burn calories. You control the amount of calories burned depending on the frequency, duration and intensity of your activities.

It may seem logical to assume that most of the time, overweight is linked to a slow metabolism or a possible sub-activity of the thyroid gland (hypothyroidism). In fact, it is very rare that it is linked to a slow metabolism. And most overweight people are not sick, they do not have hypothyroidism. However, a medical examination may determine whether a medical condition influence your weight.

Not only the above, there may be numerous other reasons for someone to gain weight at an abnormal rate. So, before taking any step to lose weight, you must consult a qualified dietician and follow the directions carefully.

Sources: http://www.herbalife.com/ecm/article/article.jsp?category=energy_fitness&pageId=1146609435984:en_US

http://www.healthdoc.info/articles/alternative/Proven-Natural-Treatment-for-Hypothyroidism-32048.html