In some parts of the world, it’s now the norm rather than the exception to be overweight. This is an evolutionarily novel situation. Up until quite recently in our evolutionary history, virtually nobody was overweight or obese. Not only have we, via the changes we’ve made to our environment, been fattening ourselves up, but we’ve […]
Overweight and obesity
The Evolutionary Underpinnings of the Obesity Epidemic
Obesity is a major problem in many parts of the world. In some nations, such as in the U.S. and Mexico, the ratio of overweight to lean people has actually exceeded 1, meaning that there are more overweight individuals than there are lean ones. This is concerning for a number of reasons, one of which […]
Why Women Easily Gain Weight
Women naturally carry more body fat than men, and they typically also have a harder time maintaining a lean frame. The very slim figure that’s displayed in some women’s magazines is difficult or impossible for most women to obtain. In some cultures, such a figure is considered to be the ideal female form. What’s important […]
Obesogenic Gut Bugs: How Bacteria Can Make Us Fat
The microbiome and the brain are the chief regulators of adiposity and eating behavior in humans. In many respects, the microbiome is even more important than the brain. Obviously, it’s the processes of the brain that ultimately shape our thoughts and behavior. What’s important to recognize though, is that these processes, in turn, are greatly […]
10 Things You Should Know About the Link Between Gut Bacteria and Obesity
I’ve been thinking a lot about the microbiome’s involvement in the pathogenesis of obesity lately. A couple of years ago, I wrote a lengthy paper in which I took an in-depth look at the scientific research pertaining to the link between gut microbes and body fat regulation. Back then, I was convinced that microorganisms play […]
Obesity: A Cause or Consequence of Physical Inactivity?
Physical inactivity makes you fat, right? If you ask a dozen people on the street whether they agree with this supposition, the vast majority, if not everyone, will probably say that they do. If you then go on to ask why individuals who carry around a lot of excess body fat tend to exercise less […]
How Protein Can Help You Lose Weight
Is fat loss at the top of your list of health & fitness goals? If so, then you’re not alone. In the U.S. and many other industrialized nations, more than 50% of the population is today classified as either overweight (BMI 25-30) or obese (BMI >30), which means that if you’re normal weight, you’re actually […]
The No. 1 Underlying Cause of the Obesity Epidemic
The obesity epidemic has quickly become one of the greatest health challenges humans have ever faced. Worldwide obesity rates have steadily climbed over the last several decades, and in many westernized nations, more people are now classified as being either overweight (BMI 25-30) or obese (BMI >30) than normal weight. What is going on? Why […]
Is Exercise for Weight Loss Really Effective?
Physical activity is a natural part of being human, and exercise is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. And as everyone involved in fitness knows, training is also an invaluable tool for shaping and sculpting the body. Progressive resistance training is especially effective when it comes to body recomposition, as it increases lean mass […]
How to Lose Weight Without Going Hungry
“Eat Less, Move More” is poor weight loss advice! If you are the least bit familiar with the laws of thermodynamics, you know that weight loss can only occur if you decrease your energy intake (more accurately, energy that is digested and absorbed) and/or increase your energy expenditure. In other words, you have to create […]