Overweight Individuals May Eat Fewer Meals than Many Predict

Posted: Jan 12 in What is Obesity by

It is a common assumption that the only thing overweight individuals need to do to lose weight is eat less. However, researchers discovered that people of average weight actually eat more snacks plus meals during the day as compared to the overweight, though the overweight were generally less active and consumed more calories overall.

This research, combined with other studies, has led scientists to the conclusion that more frequent eating is related to a lower bodyweight, though there is still some confusion as to why this is. Scientists studied one group of people with a body mass index (BMI) of 25-47, which is considered overweight, and compared their eating habits to those of people with a BMI of 19-24.9, which is a healthy range. Other studies have examined the eating habits of people that managed to lose weight and keep it off for five years or more. Both studies concluded that those of average weight ate three meals and two snacks a day, while overweight people ate three meals as well, but only one additional snack. People that have been able to maintain weight loss were also more active and regularly worked out or exerted themselves.

Scientists are still unclear on why eating more is related to a lower BMI, but are optimistic that more studies will be performed to figure out why and how this can affect people struggling to lose weight, including those that have obesity surgery in Naples. One reason that has been suggested is that the more often a person eats the more they prevent hunger pangs that lead to overeating and weight gain. Eating the right kind of food and exercising is just as important as how often a person eats, since three meals and two snacks of healthy food is better for overall health than two meals and no snacks of bad food.

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