Scientists examined the centuries-old “sin” of gluttony and sloth with several experiments studying genes that prove we are prone to certain behaviors, low serotonin levels that increase the prevalence towards self-pity and lack of motivation towards physical activity, and a lack of leptin secretions that fail to suppress ones appetite often resulting in excessive overeating. However, there are others that strongly believe that we have a choice over gluttonous and slothful behavior and that staying clear of sugars and simple carbohydrates as a result of making healthier food choices will also increase in one’s energy levels. To explain gluttony as a human behavior one cannot negate the characteristics of slothful conduct. A number of scientists have tried to prove that human beings cannot refrain from falling into the temptation of gluttony or sloth, because we are just born with these involuntary traits. Moreover, scientific research has indicted that we humans are predisposed to gluttonous and slothful behavior because of the thrifty gene that developed due to the primitive way of life known as the “hunter-gatherer” society, the chemical imbalance attributable to a decrease in serotonin levels, and a lack of leptin secretions. However, some religious sects, doctors, nutritionists, the health-crazed community, and even a few media circles believe that we have a choice over our emotions and conduct and are willing to discuss the importance of refraining from these addictive behaviors. Gluttony has often been described as a perverted obsession with food and even more so about wanting more despite the consequences. Someone that suffers from gluttony lives to eat instead of the other way around. Unfortunately, glutto... ... middle of paper ... ...the Development and Persistence of Adolescent Obesity. American Academy of Pediatrics , 497-504. 5. Brennan, A. M., & Mantzoros, C. S. (2006). Drug Insight: the role of leptin in human physiology and pathophysiology—emerging clinical applications. Nature Reviews Endocrinology , 318-327. 6. Fried, S. K., Ricci, M. R., Russell, C. D., & Laferrère, B. (2000). Regulation of Leptin Production in Humans. Journal of Nutrition , 3127S-3131S. 7. Ravussin, E., & Bogardus, C. (2000). Energy Balance and Weight Regulation: Genetics Versus Environment. British Journal of Nutrition , S17-S20. 8. Wadden, T. A., Considine, R. V., Foster, G. D., Anderson, D. A., Sarwer, D. B., & Caro, J. S. (1998). Short- and Long-Term Changes in Serum Leptin in Dieting Obese Women: Effects of Caloric Restriction and Weight Loss. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism , 214-218.
American health, specifically our obesity epidemic, has grown into a trending media topic. A quick Google search will bring up thousands of results containing a multitude of opinions and suggested solutions to our nation’s weight gain, authored by anyone ranging from expert food scientists to common, concerned citizens. Amongst the sea of public opinion on obesity, you can find two articles: Escape from the Western Diet by Michael Pollan and The Extraordinary Science of Addictive Junk Food by Michael Moss. Each article presents a different view on where the blame lies in this public health crisis and what we should do to amend the issue. Pollan’s attempt to provide an explanation pales in comparison to Moss’s reasonable discussion and viable
In 1994, Zhang et al discovered the Ob gene and the hormone leptin1. This brought about the idea that obesity might have genetic-related factors and may not simply involve lack of self-control and overeating in the individual. The Ob gene regulates the amount of body fat storage in the body2. When the Ob gene signals, the hormone leptin is secreted from adipocytes1 and it travels to the hypothalamus in the brain2. This signals the hypothalamus to induce a feeling of satiety2. In other words, leptin secretion causes the stomach to feel full and ceases the necessity for eating. Once this discovery was made, the idea of obesity treatment came into play. If a hormone with satiety-inducing effects can be utilized for treatment then obesity may possibly become a null issue. Unfortunately this is an issue that still stands today – 20 years after the discovery of leptin.
In the essay “Her Chee-to Heart”, by Jill McCorkle, she discusses about the various difficulties she has encountered of being a junk-food junkie and the struggles of overcoming the guilty pleasures of junk food. Firstly, one of the many difficulties she encounters are her feelings, which ultimately overwhelm her into continuing to eat various types of junk foods. Her feelings of nostalgic memories when consuming such goods as a child, the enjoyment and the savory tastes it grants her, are constantly mentioned throughout the essay, directly contributing a major factor into her desires of junk food. Furthermore, while she is quite aware of the consequences regarding the health side effects of consuming such foods and what the food is ultimately
Obesity is a product of energy imbalance and it has become a major issue affecting citizens globally, especially in the United States. Over two-thirds of the United States population is excessively overweight and another one-third of the population is inordinately obese. A human requires a precise amount of energy from nutriment in order to maintain life functions. The body will remain consistent to the number of calories the body burns, then again if more calories are consumed than the ones burned, it will no longer remain equal. This imbalance pushes unwanted weight gain and obesity. There is an abundance of factors that lead to not having energy inequality such as eating habits, emotions, environment, income and genetics. In this essay, I intend to discuss how obesity has been growing in the United States and the health concern to this global epidemic (Caballero, 2007).
Obesity is a very complex condition as there are many physiological and psychological dimensions to it. The complications accompanying the disease are multiple and are associated with the increased risk of many other medical conditions. It is thought that we live in an obesogenic environment due to an interaction of environmental, developmental and cultural influences. With the main cause of the disorder thought to be due to a combination of a sedentary lifestyle accompanied by an increased consumption of poor quality food with a high calorie and sugar content. The lack of energy expenditure could be explained by many individuals working a large number of hours, most days of the week in jobs that require minimal physical activity and it is often difficult to accomplish the recommended ...
A common saying goes, “we are what we eat;” but what exactly that makes us eat in the first place? What are the factors that influence our eating behaviors? If the food that we eat defines our personality and being as a whole, it should then be vital to identify the factors that push us to eat certain kinds of food. I think that social psychology has the answer. As broad as this field may seem, yet this science of explaining human behavior takes it reference on the influence of the environment, people, the media, and almost about anything that can contribute to how people think, feel, and act. In this paper, we will explore the factors that influence our eating
...ensity and Energy Costs." The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 79.1 (2004): 6-16. Web. 22 Oct. 2013.
Growing rates of overweight adults and obesity have prompted the comparison between the uncontrolled intake of food and drugs. It has been smart to follow biological concepts from addiction to explore obsessive food seeking; a model is needed to understand how food and drugs differ in their ability to control behavior. Another article will look at the difference and commonalities in the behavioral responses to food and to drugs of abuse, with the goal to identify and new treatments for drug addiction or obesity.
Growing up, I struggled with being overweight, even though I was active. As a young boy growing up on a farm somewhere in Northwest Missouri, I worked very hard doing chores the normal urbanized American would not do. My father would have me do chores every day, yet I was still overweight. Reflecting back to what what could have made me that way; many ideas began to appear in my head, so my research on nutrition began. There were many things that were argued to cause childhood obesity, however the most logical and sensible outcome that came from my research was that environmental, political, cultural, and other such factors were not to blame for my obese childhood, but nutrition was. This statement correlated with my very active childhood. My Father assigned me to do many difficult and strenuous tasks so you could say I worked up an appetite. However, this factor combined with my Mother’s inability to cook a small meal, you can imagine the amount of food I consumed on a daily basis. Not to mention the sheer fact of how much I consumed because the food tasted amazing. Mom would always say: “You have bigger eyes then your stomach”, meaning I would get more then what I needed or what I was able to eat without being uncomfortable. I would get helpings upon helpings of food, and since we did not have the money for the food to be wasted, I was forced to finish my plate. I would get in trouble if I wasted food, which is a big thing for our family.
Eating the pizza instead of the salad seemed like a good idea at the time, but now one is stuck in this sloth like state hours later. It seems letting cravings control what and how to eat is not the best strategy to healthy living. Mary Maxfield, in her article “Food For Thought: Resisting the Moralization of Food” discusses her views on how people should eat. She believes people crave what their bodies need, therefore, people should eat what they crave. Maxfield claims that diet, health, and weight are not correlated with each other, and because of this, people view obesity as unhealthy, thus forcing them to distinguish “right, healthy” foods from the “wrong, unhealthy” choices.
Metcalf, T., & Metcalf, G. (Eds.). (2008). Perspectives on Diseases and Disorders: Obesity. Farmington Hills, MI: Gale Cengage Learning
A current and major growing threat to the worldwide public health is the obesity epidemic. One proposal for certain types of obesity, such as those associated with binge eating disorder is that the individual suffers from a food addiction. A food addiction can be described as compulsive overeating by an individual and their lack of control of their food intake. The purpose of this paper is to describe the neurobiological bases of food addiction and how this relates to the neurobehavioural aspect of overeating and obesity.
Food addiction and obesity Addictive drugs like nicotine, cocaine and heroin, all can rewire the brain to crave the satisfaction that these agents produce. The desire becomes so strong that it starts to take over the body and it no longer becomes for pleasure and it becomes a need for your body. Now likewise, some people argue that some foods have the same power and effects on people that drugs do, where some of these foods can alter the brain in a way that resets the appetite and satisfaction threshold in a way that it’s out of reach, meaning a person can never have enough. Obesity levels these days are semi-dangerous, so some doctors have conducted an experiment that tested the effects of some foods on the brain, where they took 12 obese men after they consumed two milkshakes, with the same amount of calories, protein, fat and carbohydrates, and they were equally sweet. (Sifferlin 2013)
Prentice, A. M., Hennig, B. J., & Fulford, A. J. (2008). Evolutionary origins of the obesity epidemic: natural selection of thrifty genes or genetic drift following predation release & quest. International journal of obesity, 32(11), 1607-1610.
Through various observations and assumptions, there have been conversations on whether or not overconsumption of food is an addiction. However, many have come to the conclusion that food is an addiction if it is overconsume excessively than it is necessary for an individual’s diet. Nevertheless, food addiction can create health issues that can affect an individual’s body. Even though, many individual may have such knowledge of overconsumption of food; however, many may choose to ignore the consequences that comes with food addiction. Becoming a food addict is harmful and dangerous to an individual’s health.