How metabolic rate changes calorie intake

How metabolic rate changes calorie intake

Metabolism refers to all those processes in the body that convert or use energy (National Institute of Health, NIH) like breathing, body temperature, digesting food and more similar actions. Metabolic rate also known as basal metabolic rate is the amount of energy expended in a given period of time. Calorie intake is the food that we eat and just like a car burns gas to run, our body burns the food we eat (Breedlove &Watson, 2013). The metabolic rate changes with calorie intake and fluctuates with over or under nutrition. This is the reason for resistance that may build to weight loss or gain (Breedlove & Watson, 2013). Some research has shown that calorie reduced diets causes a reduction in metabolic rate that leads to ‘prevention’ of weight loss. Though there is no clear basis understood yet, but a reduction in calories has shown longevity of life as found by Koubova & Guarente (2003). They argue that some past research points towards ‘molecular pathways’ that effect aging, but a concrete basis is still unknown.

Four influences on body weight

a)      Genetics

The role of genetics is crucial in obesity and dual with reference to effects of culture, mutations on body weight (Barsh et al, 2000). Bouchard (1997) found in his study on male twins that specific genes and ‘molecular markers’ are involved in usually observable human fat population. It is common observation that people who are obese have parents who have struggled with obesity as well. This may be due to unhealthy eating habits and lifestyle that individuals learns from early childhood.  

b)      Age

Age plays a part in obesity as metabolic rate slows down due to slowed oxygen intake, nucleotide substitution and changes in muscle tendencies (Martin & Palumbi, 1993). Researchers have well established that as a person’s age increases, the ability to lose weight decreases. There are also some specific body changes that happen with age. Bodily changes during adolescence, pregnancy or as a result of Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that can influence body weight.

c)       Gender

According to Krotkiewski et al (1983) there is difference in tissue distribution between men and women. This difference may impact the fat distribution difference as well among men and women. Factors like weight gain during menopause, PMS bloating and post pregnancy weight gain are exclusive to women as well.

d)      Psychological health

An emotional eater is one who either eats more than normal or less than normal as a response to an emotional setback or emotional trauma. A person’s psychological health can affect their eating habits, their motivation to exercise (highly important to avoid weight gain) or their physical health.

Cultural influences on eating disorders

According to Brown (1991) human obesity is best understood when studied in context of biological and cultural development. He emphasizes that examination of effects of cross culture dynamics is the key to understanding the prevalence of obesity in the modern day.

I come from a culture where the idea of a ‘joint family system’ is very common. This means older parents either reside with their children or first, second and third generations all live together. Eating as a family is crucial to this kind of a family system. Similar is the case in Asian, Hispanic and Middle Eastern cultures as well. In some families it is a matter if etiquettes to eat and even appreciate with is being cooked, served by an elder of the family. As unfair it seems, it is considered rather impolite to have food separately cooked despite issues like obesity or weight gain. It is not unusual to find older generation women like grandmothers cooking food which is not very high on a healthy standard. This can happened due to a generation gap or unawareness that exists in their generation. I think this is a clear example of how a culture can influence eating disorders.

References

Barsh, G. S., Farooqi, I. S., & O'Rahilly, S. (2000). Genetics of body-weight regulation. Nature, 404(6778), 644-651.

Bouchard, C. (1997). Genetic determinants of regional fat distribution. Human reproduction, 12(suppl 1), 1-5.

Krotkiewski, M., Björntorp, P., Sjöström, L., & Smith, U. (1983). Impact of obesity on metabolism in men and women. Importance of regional adipose tissue distribution. Journal of Clinical Investigation, 72(3), 1150.

Koubova, J., & Guarente, L. (2003). How does calorie restriction work?. Genes & development, 17(3), 313-321.

Brown, P. J. (1991). Culture and the evolution of obesity. Human Nature, 2(1), 31-57.

Martin, A. P., & Palumbi, S. R. (1993). Body size, metabolic rate, generation time, and the molecular clock. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 90(9), 4087-4091.

Meaning of Metabolism, National Institute of Health (NIH). Retrieved from  http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002257.htm