How weight loss occurs ????

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What is metabolism?

Metabolism is the process of converting food into energy. We get the energy from the nutrients which are present in the food we eat.

When we eat food, the nutrients are in a complex form they need to be converted into a simpler form so that our body can use it as an energy source.

Metabolism occurs in your body in two forms anabolism and catabolism. Anabolism is the process of building and catabolism is the process of breakdown.

How weight loss occurs

Weight loss occurs when you consistently consume fewer calories than you burn each day. Conversely, weight gain happens when you consistently eat more calories than you burn.

That said, the number of calories you burn each day, which is known as energy expenditure, is a bit more complicated.

energy expenditure is composed of the following three major components

1. BMR (basal metabolic rate ):

Basal metabolic rate is the energy used by your body to do the vital involuntary processes of the body like a heartbeat, kidney function, breathing, etc.

It includes fundamental activities of various hormones, organs such as the brain, heart, liver, kidney, lungs.

BMR is 60- 65% of our total energy expenditure.

2. Metabolic response of food:

Eating requires energy for digestion. as we discussed above that the food we eat is in a complex form that needs to be converted into a simpler form. for this to happen food goes through some process.

When we eat food goes through the process of digestion, absorption, transport, interconversion, oxidation, and deposition of nutrients. this is known as the metabolic process. and this needs energy.

The metabolic process increases heat production and oxygen consumption and is known as dietary induces thermogenesis.

It is 5–10% of our total energy expenditure.

3. Physical activity.

If the number of calories you consume equals the number of calories you burn, you maintain your body weight.

physical activity is the 2nd largest component of the daily expenditure, which includes your daily work and also exercise.

It is 25–30% of our total energy expenditure.

If you want to lose weight, you must create a negative calorie balance by consuming fewer calories than you burn or burning more calories through increased activity.

Factor affecting BMR:

1. Age: BMR is highest during the first 2 years of life, declining gradually during childhood. it slightly increases during adolescence and then gradually declines in adulthood with a greater decline in later ages.
2. Body size: The BMR is closely related to the body surface area as BMR is directly proportional to the surface area.
3. Gender: Women have 6–10% lower BMR than men. It is because men have more lean body mass than women.
4. Body composition: BMR is directly related to lean body mass. people with well-developed muscles like athletes have higher BMR than obese people who have more body fat.
5. Sleep: The BMR in sleep is 5% less than in the basal metabolic rate.
6. Fever: The BMR is rising in fever condition as our body temperature rises. BMR is increased by 7% burning fever.
7. Fever anxiety, nervousness, tension, such emotions tend to eliminate BMR
8. Hormonal imbalance: Hyperthyroidism decreases BMR and Hyperthyroidism increases BMR

Other factors

Several other factors can affect your weight loss rate, including:

• Medications. Many medications, such as antidepressants and other antipsychotics, can promote weight gain or hinder weight loss.
• Medical conditions. Illnesses, including depression and hypothyroidism, a condition in which your thyroid gland produces too few metabolism-regulating hormones, can slow weight loss and encourage weight gain.
• Family history and genes. There is a well-established genetic component associated with people who have overweight or obese, and it may affect weight loss.
• Yo-yo dieting. This pattern of losing and regaining weight can make weight loss increasingly difficult with each attempt, due to a decrease in RMR (resting metabolic rate).

The bottom line

Weight loss occurs when you eat fewer calories than you burn.

Many factors affect your weight loss rate, including your gender, age, starting weight, sleep, and the extent of your calorie deficit.