Traci Stein Ph.D., MPH
Posted Dec 20, 2014
Most people know that eating healthier and exercising regularly can facilitate weight loss, and that remaining overweight comes at significant costs to health and self-esteem. Yet, only about 20% of overweight individuals are successful at maintaining weight loss long-term.
First, it’s important to acknowledge that there are a number of physical factors that increase the risk of overweight. Some of these include:
- Prenatal factors (maternal overweight, gestational diabetes, maternal smoking)
- Genes
- Chemical exposure (e.g., phthalates, bisphenol A, the pesticide DDT)
- Hormonal factors (hypothyroidism, PCOS, Cushing’s disease, etc.)
- Certain medications (e.g., some antidepressants, corticosteroids, anti seizure medicines) (which affects insulin and other hormones that impact appetite, eating behaviors, and weight gain)
- Exposure to antibiotics (which alters the quality of one’s gut bacteria)
- “Obesogenic” lifestyle factors (eating too much, making unhealthy food choices, and moving too little)
Although we cannot go back in time and change our prenatal environment or undue previous exposure to chemicals, nor can we change our genes, adopting and sticking with healthy lifestyle behaviors can do a lot to help with weight loss and improve well being. This is where hypnosis can be especially helpful.
