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There are so many reasons why people put on weight that it is almost impossible to list them all. The basic and undeniable cause of weight gain has to be eating more than is necessary for a healthy nutritional balance within any particular lifestyle. If we eat more than we need for life and to sustain health, without enough physical activity to burn off the surplus intake of calories, then we put on weight. Those are the basic scientific facts of WHAT makes us put on weight; the WHY is rather more complex. Here are a few of those reasons, some of which might strike a chord. Everyone is different, but there are certain universal causes as to why people put on weight.

1. Comfort Eating: Now we are all subject to stress in modern life. One of the ways to alleviate stress is to regress to a happier time, where somebody who loved us took care of our needs. That care almost always involved food. But the food we needed to grow as a child is maybe too much for an adult. Cakes, biscuits, mashed potatoes, sweet sauces, rich gravies; all bring back memories of happier times. That child would run off the calories. The stressed adult does not always have that opportunity, and so reaches for comfort foods and puts on weight.

2. Pregnancy: "Well, I'm eating for two!" is the cry of many a pregnant woman, who takes the opportunity to eat what and when she likes. A little indulgence that grows into a habit that soon piles on unwanted pounds. Though women do have some excuse here, as laying down fat on hips was a good thing for our cave-women ancestors who gave birth in "stony" circumstances. We are operating from race memory, but today, we know we have no need to do this extra eating. As the extra pounds will testify.

3. Loneliness: Food is often used as a compensation. When a person has little else in their life, preparing and eating food is a pleasure that can be enjoyed without the need for others. This links with comfort eating, but serves a deeper psychological need. Giving yourself a delicious meal shows that you are worth loving. Often, too much food is the norm, as this is an appetite difficult to satisfy and the weight goes on accordingly.

4. Not Enough Exercise: Back to the first point made, where if we eat too many calories without enough physical activity, we get fat. This is a major reason for why people put on weight.

5. Junk and Fast Foods: This is so easy to understand, as in busy lives, buying salt and sugar-laden foods is part of life. It tastes good, it makes life simpler for most of us and it is addictive. Big portions, tasty accompaniments, extra fries - oh we love them! And we eat too much of them.

6. Eating Habits: Bad ones, I mean. Not eating a balanced diet with the right combinations of protein, vegetables, carbohydrates and fats is one bad habit. Next, comes not eating breakfast, then snacking through the morning on sweet or fatty foods to make up for it. Not sitting down and paying attention to what we eat, not savoring the food properly, is yet another bad eating habit. Finally, not eating when hungry, but just because the food is there at a certain time, and we eat it, is one sure way of putting on weight.

Food is lovely, the tastes and textures are so pleasurable, the memories it brings are full of traditions and comfort. But when food intake becomes uncontrolled, or a substitute for what is missing in our lives, then we surely will put on weight. The best way is to really enjoy food by being selective and disciplined. Add this to sensible exercise and there is less chance that you will put on weight. Moderation and pleasure in equal measure, that is the best way.

Learn more about this author, Dolores Moore.
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