Many factors are associated with obesity and weight gain. And while some of the overarching ones like genetics, age and gender all play their role in affecting your body fat levels, there are some key other ones too. Read on for 7 Factors Could Be Affecting Your Body Fat Levels.
- Energy in, energy out. While there can be many factors that influence weight loss or weight gain, ultimately it’s the calorific ratio of the food you put into your body versus the energy you exert that results in whether you lose that body fat or not. Movement is key. Try to avoid prolonged or excessive sitting and keep moving throughout the day. Take the stairs instead of the elevator – it all adds up. For exercise, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is a great option for helping to reduce and minimise body fat.
- Increased sugar intake – Sugar can be hidden in a whole lot of foods. Many people think that reaching for that glass of orange juice at breakfast time is a healthy option. And even though yes, orange juice has a lot of good vitamins and minerals like vitamin C, folate and potassium, there are a whole lot of “empty calories” too. In one cup of orange juice can be 21g of sugar – that’s over 5 teaspoons. All of this contributes to your daily calorific intake, adding to those extra inches on your waistline.
- Dehydration – It’s easy to mistake thirst for hunger. The element that your body needs the most at all times is water. And when you’re not getting enough water, your body can easily mistake these signals of dehydration for hunger. Making sure you’re drinking at least 2 litres of water per day will help you to recognise when your body is actually crying out for sustenance and not just some H2O instead.
- Sleep deprivation – When you don’t get enough sleep your body will be tired – that goes without saying. And when it’s tired it will be crying out for more energy. And the quickest form of energy are often the ones which are high in calories; think starchy, high GI carbs and sugary treats. Getting enough quality sleep is important for helping to manage your weight. Read more about How Digestion Affects Your Sleep Quality.
For more information on how you can reach an optimal body fat level for your body type, or to reduce your belly fat, get in touch with one of our Personal Health Educators today. We have a range of weight-loss programs that can help you shed those kilos now, and ensure they stay off in the future too.
