Several key factors have been linked to obesity: Genetics: This has not yet been proven beyond a reasonable doubt, but researchers believe they have found a gene responsible for obesity. Diet: one of the most important factors. Diet involves the type of food, the amount of food eaten, the frequency with which foods are eaten, and the macronutrient ratios of foods eaten. Physical activity level: This is also a very important factor, ranking (no pun intended) just behind diet in order of importance. Increasing activity levels can help increase metabolism and balance certain hormone levels when not taken to extremes (less than 2 hours per day). Metabolism: Metabolism is the rate at which calories are burned during different activities (including rest), it can be affected by diet, activity levels, general health as well as certain medications. Decreased thyroid function: causes hormonal imbalance and affects metabolism. Other diseases: see Chapter 5, many diseases affect the body's ability to properly digest and assimilate food, leading to excessive fat storage. Emotions: a significant component of the problem, can lead to lethargy (inactivity) and overeating, low self-esteem, and a seemingly endless cycle of hopelessness and indifference. Ethnicity/Cultural Behaviors: Cultural and religious traditions often revolve around food and studies have shown that people eat up to 40% more than normal in social settings. An example of this is that most people claim to gain weight during the holidays. Economic Status: Lack of financial resources often leads to purchasing cheap, "nutritionally deficient" foods (a recently coined politically correct term for foods that are BAD for you!).Artificial Food Ingredients:...... middle of paper......essential fatty acids. None of these wonderful benefits remain in white flour. White flour is wheat that has been ground into flour, had all the bran and endosperm removed (the parts with all the health benefits), and then it is chemically treated for that beautiful white color and shelf life. prolonged storage. Of course, they "enrich" it by adding lots of vitamins and minerals... it's not the same as before, however, they get them from rocks which are, of course, much less usable by the organism. Many people develop rashes and other symptoms. allergy symptoms due to consumption of white flour products. It affects your ability to concentrate, contributing to the ADHD epidemic, and adds empty calories to carbohydrates, contributing to weight gain. Honestly, I wonder if you couldn't get more nutrition and flavor from chewing on a cardboard box (don't try this at home!).