Your metabolic rate and weight loss regimes, is this a handy excuse, (some research into the subject)?

grahamg

grahamg

Old codger
Location
South of Manchester, UK
Often we hear people blaming their "metabolic rate" for the fact they gained weight or couldn't keep the weight off once they've dieted, but do we all have differing metabolic rates in the first place, or what is really going on, (I've not used this excuse btw, as I accept I'm an overeating glutton generally!).

Quote:
"If your metabolism is "high" (or fast), you will burn more calories at rest and during activity. A high metabolism means you'll need to take in more calories to maintain your weight. That's one reason why some people can eat more than others without gaining weight."

https://www.runnersworld.com/nutrition-weight-loss/a38934155/fast-or-slow-metabolism/

Another site here:

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/oct/30/burn-baby-burn-the-new-science-of-metabolism

Another good site here:
https://www.everydayhealth.com/weight/8-triggers-that-change-your-metabolism.aspx
 

I think we have higher metabolism when we are young and then it slows as we age? No doubt would be very useful if we were still hunter/gatherers, pretty sure my metabolism is so slow I'd only need to gather a couple nuts or insects per day. Never thought of it before but I bet it was old people with slow metabolisms that put an end to all that nomadic running around and started just-stay-in-one-place agricultural lifestyles.
 

People do have genetically differing levels of metabolism and regardless of where we start out, metabolism slows as we age. I was surprised to learn in nutrition grad school that very thin people trying to gain weight have a harder time of it than those trying to lose (that was never my problem lol!) but did find in working as a dietitian that it's true. There are definitely people who do all the right things and remain overweight to some degree, but not morbidly obese.

I never once had a morbid obese patient/client that had a genetic reason for it. Some morbidly obese people do have genetic disorders, but not nearly as many that claim they do. Look up monogenic obesity for more info. I've always wondered about two morbidly obese women in my small town. They were related and just had a different look to them...lank hair, an unhealthy pallor though they spent a normal amount of time outdoors. Other family members had normal health and weights except some of the males in the family had hemophilia. Both women died in their 40s of a sudden onset ovarian cancer so they could've had a severe form of polycystic ovarian syndrome which impacts weight. I never saw either of them professionally so don't know that for sure but they never seemed healthy beyond the obvious obesity.

One fascinating metabolic disorder that I deal with occasionally working in long-term care is a hypermetabolic state that some end-stage dementia patients develop. I've had residents consume over 6,000 calories a day and lose 10-15 pounds a month; they obviously don't live beyond six months once that starts.
 
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AnnieA said:
I never once had a morbid obese patient/client that had a genetic reason for it.
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Having once been there I have a little different view. I think my "genetic" reason for it is that I have a stronger instinct to eat everything I can get my hands on that many others. I suspect that is genetic and back in the caveman era would likely have been a benefit, but not so much today.

As a person with more actual expertise than I, do you think there is anything to it?
 
Alligatorob said:
Having once been there I have a little different view. I think my "genetic" reason for it is that I have a stronger instinct to eat everything I can get my hands on that many others. I suspect that is genetic and back in the caveman era would likely have been a benefit, but not so much today.

As a person with more actual expertise than I, do you think there is anything to it?
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Could be genetic psychologically ...maybe even a holdover from waaaaay back... but it's not metabolic.
 
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It's an interesting subject and surprisingly complex. There do seem to be 'fat families', where everyone in a family is overweight. It could be genetic but more likely caused by their eating habits.
My husband has always been thin and so have all my children, but they all had big appetites. My youngest son has now moved to America and is very overweight. He says it's the American lifestyle, but he is much less active than he used to be.
One thing I would like to know....when we lose weight, why does it seem to go from our face first?
 
If a person loses a lot of weight, I've often wonder how they get rid of all the lose skin, which can cause problems of its own.
 
Gardenlover said:
If a person loses a lot of weight, I've often wonder how they get rid of all the lose skin
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I don't think you can, other than by surgery. There are a few other things you can try but I don't think they work real well.

I carry loose skin from my weight loss, about 2 years now, don't see it getting any better. I just like to remind myself its better loose than full of fat!

Other than aesthetics it causes me no real problems. So I would not consider surgery. Clothes do a good job of concealing mine, LOL! I think we all carry signs of aging and/or scars of youthful foolishness, this is just one of mine.

For some however surgery might be a good option.
 

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