Millennial's weigh more than any generation before. Researchers suggest that circadian rhythm disruption may contribute to this.
Americans
are more overweight than ever, but the latest generation of adults
struggles with their weight even more than their parents and
grandparents. Because being overweight or obese can increase the risk of
a variety of diseases, doctors and researchers from a variety of
disciplines have been trying to identify the causes of this issue as
well as possible solutions.
Can Diet and Exercise Cure All?
Most
people who are trying to weigh less are told that reducing calorie
intake while burning more calories in exercise is the answer. While
these remain very important parts of weight loss, they are not the only
factors involved in today’s obesity epidemic. According to a new study,
millennials who eat the same amounts as their ancestors will still be
heavier.
What
does this mean for modern young adults? Losing weight and keeping it
off is a much more complicated proposition for them. While the same
dieting advice is given to the new generation, scientists scoff.
Jennifer Kuk of York University points out:
“That’s
similar to saying your investment account balance is simply your
deposits subtracting your withdrawals and not accounting for all the
other things that affect your balance like stock market fluctuations,
bank fees or currency exchange rates.”
In fact, millennials are far more active than ever while eating just slightly more than generations before.
New Factors In Weight
There
are a few factors that are changing the way young adults gain weight in
modern times and the rate at which they do so. First, more young adults
are now taking antidepressants, steroids, and other medications that
can lead to weight gain. Second, people now, even when eating the same
amounts of macronutrients, are getting more of these calories from meat
and sugar, both of which may disrupt intestinal bacteria that help
regulate metabolism.
Another
possibly most important factor is that modern people live in an
epidemic of circadian rhythm disruption. Researchers in chronobiology
have found that a lack of sleep leads to hormonal disruptions that can
pack on the pounds. Leptin is a hormone that makes people feel full and
also helps to stoke the metabolism, while the hormone ghrelin has just
the opposite effect. When people do not get adequate sleep, leptin
plummets while ghrelin increases, turning down the metabolism. These
hormones are affected not just by the amount of sleep one gets, but by
the quality and regularity as well.
In
addition, people who don’t maintain a healthy circadian rhythm are more
likely to snack rather than to eat healthy meals. This often means
choosing less nutritious foods that don’t increase metabolism.
How To Lose Weight In Modern Times
Losing
weight is especially challenging for people now, but that does not mean
it cannot be done. In addition to eating the right amount of calories
and getting plenty of exercise, there are a few lifestyle changes people
should consider. First, eat less meat and sugar to allow for a healthy
gastrointestinal tract. Second, use the latest knowledge about circadian
biology to find the daily rhythm that works best for you and your
metabolism. Go to bed at the same time every night, avoid bright light
in the evening, and avoid alcohol, caffeine and other drugs that
interfere with melatonin production.
Losing
weight is more difficult now than ever before due to the challenges of
modern life. Making healthy lifestyle changes is the key to achieving
and maintaining not just a trim figure, but whole body health.