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Weighing in the Overweight
Risks or Remaining Overweight

Written by Sky Taylor, Diet Bites

Overweight Kid, Adult Obesity

What are your risks for obesity if you were overweight in your pre-adult life?

If you are currently overweight, do you ever wonder what the odds are of actually losing the unwanted weight?  If so, the following  might help get you on a healthier track, and answer some of those throbbing weight related questions, too.  

Were you overweight in your pre-adult years?

Most kids go through a 'plump' stage in life. For some kids, as the hormones balance out, and as growth ensues, any weight problem takes care of itself.

They may grow taller.

They may take care of excess weight via increased activity as they grow older and become more interested in certain activities such as football, basketball and baseball.

For other kids, rather than experiencing the slimming effect as they grow taller, they continue to gain more and more weight, and that weight follows them into adulthood. Either they weren't active enough to burn off those extra calories which exceeded their recommended energy needs or they simply consumed too much energy for their body to use even when incorporating activity.

The excess energy became stored in those notorious fat cells which in turn plump-up the body.

There is a very unfortunate situation where fat cells are concerned. Once fat cells are multiplied, they never go away. They will shrink, but the supply of fat cells generated in the pre-adult stage of life makes it harder as an adult to maintain weight. It's as if they continually cry out to be replenished.

The individual who has never experienced being overweight is better able and finds it much easier to remain at their recommended weight than the individual who has experienced weight gain. While in part this is due to the increased number of fat cells, it's also related to the eating addiction itself.

Overweight Risks Amid Kid & Adult Years, Pre-Adulthood

If you were overweight in your pre-adult years, it isn't an automatic life sentence to obesity. If you lost the extra pounds when you reached adulthood and are maintaining your weight, simply continue on this healthy course and your risk of becoming overweight virtually drops to zero.

Yes, those shrunken fat cells will continue to cry out - but because of your ability to conquer weight gain, it will not return unless you allow it to do such. You are in control - not your fat cells, not your appetite - you and only you.  

Overweight Kid, Overweight Adult

The same scenario applies to a person who was overweight as a child and who is currently overweight. Once the weight is dropped they remain on a steady, healthier course.

Keep in mind that our weight is just one part of who we are; we can always lose weight and obtain a healthier body. We should never allow our weight to alter our emotions or to use it as a gauge of intelligence or self-worth. Anyone that does adheres to this practice has their own set of unpleasant issues.

If you are an adult and are unable to lose unwanted weight, check out our Fat vs Fit article.  Getting in shape can help turn you into a healthier you while cutting risks.

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