The Most Significant Causes of Weight Gain and Obesity

Insulin Responses

Insulin can be an obesity trigger as it is responsible for regulating energy storage in an individual’s body. In fact, research shows there is a significant association between the Westernized diet, metabolic syndrome, and the body’s insulin response. Diets high in processed foods increase an individual’s insulin levels, which signals fat cells to store calories as fat instead of releasing it for immediate use as fuel. The best way for individuals to stabilize their insulin levels for the long-term is to replace processed or refined carbohydrates with fruits, vegetables, and unprocessed whole grains.

Slanted Marketing

The typical Westernized diet is chiefly built on a perceived notion that food should be quick, cheap, and easily accessible. Junk food companies are especially good at marketing toward children as they are easily influenced by bright colors and false connections between food and fun times. Children often then pester their parents about buying these foods, and while parents can say no, children do have significant power over the choice as well in many instances. Many food marketers spend lots of money to make misleading claims in an attempt to get the consumer to purchase their product. Healthy options such as fruits, vegetables, and organic foods are less desirable because they are more expensive and less advertised.