Factors That Affect Poor Diet
- There are many factors that contribute to a poor diet.Vector Illustration of Junk Food image by nezezon from Fotolia.com
It's common sense that eating less and moving more are keys to a healthier lifestyle, but Americans are becoming more overweight and obese at a rapid pace. As it turns out, it's really not that simple. Take our hectic schedules, our lack of time and sleep, and for some an inability to get to a grocery store with healthy foods, and you'll see the complexities of why our diets and physical activity regimens come up short. - The number one reason people fail to eat a healthy, balanced diet is because they lack the time to prepare their own meals. Busy professionals have a habit of eating on the go, in the car, and raiding the vending machines to get just enough jolt to work more hours. In addition, by eating out for lunch, and often dinner, we lose control of the ingredients and nutrients in our food, and we consume far more calories than we would if we prepared our own meals.
- There is abundant medical evidence linking poor diet and weight issues with sleep. Researchers say that the amount of sleep you get, as well as the quality of your sleep, may be major contributors to the hormonal activity tied to your appetite. The two hormones at play are leptin and ghrelin. Ghrelin stimulates appetite, while leptin signals the brain when you're full. When you don't get enough sleep, leptin levels spiral down and ghrelin spirals up. This means you won't feel as satisfied after you eat and your appetite will be stimulated so you want more food. Together, these events can set the stage for overeating and weight gain.
- Stress is a normal response to the happenings of daily life. But some people live in a constant state of stress and anxiety due to the demands of their jobs, families and other responsibilities. Cortisol is the body's primary stress hormone. When it's produced, it increases sugar flow into the bloodstream, alters the immune system, and suppresses the digestive system. When this response is on autopilot because of constant stress, expansion of the waistline is inevitable. Chronic elevation of cortisol leads to extra intra-abdominal fat, as well as reduced sex hormones, which can also lead to weight gain. In addition, stress plays into the vicious cycle in which you are likely to get less sleep, which also increases your likelihood of poor dietary practices.
- In many cases, people's budget and community may be hindrances. When people are having a hard time making ends meet, they may purchase lower cost foods and avoid higher priced cuts of lean meats and fresh vegetables. Some communities simply don't have many healthy grocery options. Some neighborhoods are full of corner stores that carry convenience items and lots of junk food.
