Obesity and being overweight are becoming increasingly common in our society. In addition to bad eating habits, there are reasons why people are getting fatter or finding it difficult to lose weight.

The tendency to be overweight is genetically predisposed. People who have two of the so-called FTO genes are more prone to obesity than those who do not have this gene. It is assumed that there are more of these fat genes that have not yet been discovered. Scientists suspect that the fat genes develop when the mother eats too much fat and sugar during pregnancy. For this reason, expectant mothers are advised to eat a healthy diet and not to gain more than 9 to 13kg during pregnancy.

The number of fat cells in the body develops during childhood. The amount of fat cells you have as an adult no longer changes, even if you lose pounds. Nevertheless, it is of course advisable not to overfeed the existing fat cells. Parents should make sure that their children grow up with a healthy diet and do not become obese.

The number of fat cells in the body cannot be changed, but the metabolism can. A slow-working metabolism gains weight faster and loses fat more slowly. Physical exercise is a good way to stimulate the metabolism.

However, physical predisposition is not the only reason for being overweight. People who are often under stress crave carbohydrate-rich snacks, as these calm the stress hormones. Unfortunately, carbohydrate-rich snacks quickly settle on the hips. The craving for snacks can be reduced through conscious relaxation and relaxation methods. This also includes getting enough sleep. Lack of sleep puts the body under stress and leads to overeating. Regular sleep is an easy way to keep your weight under control.

If you have an overweight partner or many overweight friends, you gain weight more quickly. This makes sense, because people often eat together and adopt each other's eating habits. Having an overweight partner increases the likelihood of becoming overweight yourself by 37%.

Ear infections can damage the taste buds that run through the middle ear. This can reduce the ability to taste sweet or fatty foods, so that the person affected eats even more sweet and fatty foods.

Free radicals are not only responsible for premature ageing, they also weaken the satiety signal to the brain. You fight free radicals with foods rich in antioxidants and avoid fast food. Basically, every diet is based on four basic rules: Carbohydrates in the form of whole grains and fibre, plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, lean protein and low saturated fat.