Why Physiologically Cold weather can Increase Obesity Rates ?

Obesity generally is a major epidemic concern across countries. Obesity generally accounts for a pathophysiological condition at which excessive body fats get accumulated in different parts of the body. Obesity can be hereditary (or genetic) or can induce in short or long-term in many ways ¹. There are six different types of obesity (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Types of obesity

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Being obese or overweight dramatically increases the risk of a variety of illnesses and health problems. Obesity enhances risks of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertensions, heart diseases, stroke and diabetes Mellitus. Certain forms of cancers are the outcomes of being obese or overweight. Extra weight in obese people increases the risk of arthritis and bone fractures. There is a greater possibility of falls during perturbation in obese individuals. Obesity can lead to the mental health and depression too ^{2, 3, 4}.

These aforementioned illnesses are non-fatal difficulties of obesity which cause a high level of economic burdens across the globe ⁵. Obesity is associated with a high risk of morbidity and all-cause mortality in large perspective every year. In fact ,obese individuals are at a higher risk of early death than other underweight or normal body weight counterparts ⁶.

Sedentary life styles can significantly increase the states of being overweight or obese. Obese people are not interested to move much and do not perform any exercise or even leisure - physical activity each day. They are strong TV viewers and consume different types of fast or sweet foods without having any bad feeling about the amount of foods which they actually eat ⁷.

Among different causes of obesity, the ambient temperature such as cold environment is one major factor. Cold weather influences the hormones that are related to hunger and appetite and impacts overall metabolic rates. Cold weather exposures increase the energy expenditures or energy intakes that cause an increased appetite toward overeating to preserve the body energy level. Cold temperature enhances the desire of consuming more sweet foods such as cakes, chocolate and many different types of dessert that could significantly affect weight gain in the short term ^{8, 9}. Cold weather also can cause a kind of sedentary lifestyle for those who do not hold any specific social position. Thus, some people prefer to stay in a cozy and warmer environment in accordance with the condition which they have rather than being outside and to stay more active.

Nonetheless, preventive strategies such as performing some simple exercise like 10-15 minutes moderate walking even at home and governing the energy intakes can be effective approaches to prevent or control obesity. Different types of nuts, fruits and vegetables are good substitutes for sweet foods and notably reduce the desire of using other fast - food products. Controlling the calorie intakes through a balanced diet by increasing the general information about different diets and foods from various social media or other sources like dieticians is another good procedure to prevent obesity at any conditions and in cold ambient in particular.

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