Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Weight Loss Diet

Control of food intake:
Control of food intake is the basis behind successful weight loss.

There are many physiological and Psychological mechanisms which are thought to contribute to the control of our food intake. The following list shows some of the simpler control mechanisms.

1.BODY WEIGHT - Heavier people tend to have a higher food intake which is believed to be due to the increased energy expenditure associated with increased body mass. An individual with naturally more bone mass, muscle mass and general cells create a need for the bulk to be maintained and usually results in a larger person having a stronger appetite.

2.PHYSICAL ACTIVITY - Research has shown that people have a higher food intake when physical activity is increased, however it depends on the type of activity. Someone who has a labour-intensive job - such as in the construction industry - will have an appetite closely linked to their physical expenditure. Someone who works at a computer all day but manages to participate in regular activities in their spare time will regulate appetite and help limit excess food consumption ( another reason why regular exercise is important! ). It is also interesting to note that people who become inactive will gradually lose control over their appetite, this often leads to excess calorie consumption.

3.METABOLISM - People with naturally high metabolic rates often possess a big appetite. Increasing the metabolism through proper technique should not affect food intake much.

4.HORMONES - Some hormones are thought to regulate appetite, the most common known is insulin. Insulin triggers hunger as blood sugar levels fall - its encourages us to eat sugar and stabilise blood sugar levels . This fact is the basis behind the low-carbohydrate diets,however its not so much the insulin that makes an individual overweight its more to do with consuming too much energy.

5.ENVIRONMENTAL TEMPERATURE - A cold climate often makes people eat more and a hot temperature has shown to reduce the appetite.

6.PALATABILITY - Palatability of food will have an effect on appetite and thus food intake. Palatability is usually associated with variety in the diet and research has shown that more variety of food results in increased consumption.

7.PLEASURE - Eating is associated with pleasure, we get pleasure from looking at food, buying it, cooking it and of course eating it. The pleasure stops when it ceases to be enjoyable, ever been so full that the thought of food would make you ill.

8.PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS - Psychological factors can have a major influence on people's food intake.Some of our eating behaviour is associated with emotional needs. Stress for example may drive some people to eat more yet some will eat less under stress. The influence of our mind on food intake is subject to our emotional needs and the value we place on food.

9.SOCIAL INFLUENCES - Social influences can also have an effect on eating habits. People will often eat out of habit, meal-times for example is a daily occasion and all family members will eat even if they are not hungry. Many social events revolve around eating, drinking or both.

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