11. The Fatal Causes of Obesity Among Office Workers and an Analysis of Stress-Induced Obesity

Chapter Three

Unraveling the Causes of Obesity Among Office Workers

9-to-5 work + prolonged sitting + business lunches + afternoon tea + social engagements + enjoying gourmet meals on weekends + lack of exercise

Not gaining weight? That's difficult!

The love of beauty is human nature

The weight loss craze has swept the globe, transcending nationality, race, and culture. Many people aspire to the perfect figure of a runway model, leading them to rack their brains and endure hardships to lose weight. What a wonderful life it would be to enjoy delicious food without spending too much time and energy exercising to burn calories!

However, this is ultimately impossible, especially since body shape is related to a person's appearance. Judging from my numerous outpatients, weight loss seems to have become a national movement, spreading wildly, and it is no longer just a woman's prerogative; this is especially true among office workers.

I once encountered a very interesting example. A flight attendant from a well-known airline came to me seeking weight loss advice. This flight attendant was 172 cm tall and weighed only 52 kg. Curious, I asked her, "Miss, your figure is perfect! Is it necessary to lose weight?" The flight attendant hurriedly replied, "Of course it is! Our company expects every flight attendant to have a beautiful figure in their uniform, but I've recently gained 1 kg and can't lose it. If I don't lose weight, I might lose my job!"

Another example illustrates the importance businesses place on employee physique. Once, I visited the owner of a listed company. Upon arriving at their office, I noticed that all the employees had remarkably good figures. Curious, I asked him if they had any screening criteria or requirements regarding physique when hiring. The owner replied, "Actually, many employees are overweight when they first join the company, but I expect them to reach a healthy weight within three months."

According to this boss's management philosophy, whether an employee is hardworking, dedicated, and fully committed can be determined simply by observing their willpower. If an employee can successfully lose weight and adjust their weight within three months, it indicates that they are determined, have willpower, and can control themselves, making them a worthwhile employee for the company to hire.

This shows that obesity has a significant impact on office workers.

However, the obese population in China is still increasing rapidly. According to statistics from the American College of Physicians, 10 years ago, 45% of the US population aged 20 and over was obese; 10 years later, the same group accounted for approximately 55%. In contrast, in Taiwan alone, 10 years ago, the obese population was 28%; 10 years later, the same group accounted for 46%. These figures roughly indicate that the rate of increase in obesity in China is higher than in the United States, and by a factor of 6.

A closer look at the causes of obesity among Chinese people reveals a close connection to their dietary habits. For instance, a typical Chinese family might consume as many as eight different dishes a week, compared to around four in Western households. The dietary combinations are vastly different. Furthermore, Chinese people tend to consume more starchy foods, while Westerners primarily consume high-fat foods. Because of these unique characteristics in Chinese dietary habits and the reasons for obesity, weight loss methods naturally differ.

The Predestined Causes of Obesity Among Office Workers

I often hear many office workers lamenting, "Since I started working, my weight has been steadily increasing, and I've gained a full 8 kilograms today!" Yes! This is indeed the tragedy of office workers! The fixed 9-to-5 life starts with sitting in the office in the morning, having lunch with colleagues at a nearby business lunch, followed by long hours on the phone, then afternoon tea, and social engagements in the evening. After returning home, they sit in front of the TV without moving. On weekends, they travel with family and friends, still trying different cuisines, constantly eating, eating, eating. Even if they are lucky enough not to gain weight, they will definitely find it difficult to maintain their figure due to lack of exercise!

Generally speaking, if you consume more calories than your body needs each day, the excess calories will be converted into fat and stored in your body. Over time, this will lead to obesity. Being overweight increases the burden on various organs, and eventually, it can cause various health problems. For example:

◎Heart burden: It can easily lead to heart disease, high blood pressure, and vascular diseases, such as myocardial infarction and stroke.

◎ Burden on the pancreas, liver, and kidneys: can easily lead to chronic diseases such as diabetes.

◎Bone burden: Easily leads to joint diseases.

It's undeniable that unhealthy obesity is absolutely related to dietary habits. Office workers frequently eat out, and the food served there is generally high in calories. Meanwhile, office workers burn relatively few calories throughout the day, and their metabolism slows down with age. Therefore, many office workers experience weight problems even in their early 30s. This is why office workers make up the majority of my patients.

Besides poor dietary habits, many external factors can also lead to obesity. For example, office workers often lack exercise, resulting in less calorie expenditure and a slower metabolism. This is the real reason why many people complain that they "gain weight even from drinking water." Additionally, the side effects of medications, excessive alcohol consumption, and emotional factors can all contribute to obesity.

Types of obesity among office workers

Since there are so many causes of obesity, if you want to make a firm decision to lose weight, you should find out the real cause and type of obesity.

Stress-related obesity

Due to the busy work schedules and intense competition of modern life, many urban office workers suffer from obesity caused by stress. Therefore, stress-related obesity can be considered a modern-day disease. Clinically, common symptoms include poor appetite during the day, followed by overeating to relieve stress after get off work or on weekends, with a preference for sugary and heavily flavored foods. As a result, many people complain that the busier and more stressed they are, the easier it is to gain weight, sometimes even significantly in a short period of time.

◎Clinical biochemistry test report: Abnormal adrenal gland secretion, slightly elevated blood sugar, and elevated postprandial blood sugar, leading to an increase in the SHOT-SAPT index. The main cause is increased stress, altered adrenaline levels, and abnormal secretion of other hormones, making it easier for starch and fat to accumulate, resulting in obesity.

◎Side Effects and Treatment: Long-term stress-related obesity, besides causing rapid weight gain, can also lead to problems such as excess fat and high blood pressure. Furthermore, endocrine imbalances can cause rough skin. Under prolonged stress, a person may appear older, and in terms of reproductive organs, it can cause infertility and sexual dysfunction. Therefore, treating stress-related obesity while addressing its underlying complications is crucial for effectively achieving weight loss.

Exercise-related obesity

Many professional athletes or people who engage in long-term physical exercise also experience excessive obesity. They are muscular and appear overweight. The reasons for this type of obesity, besides the longer exercise time compared to the average person, include changes in blood sugar and electrolytes after exercise, which easily lead to feelings of thirst and hunger. Under this dual stimulation, they often consume more sugar and water, thus causing obesity.

Edema-type obesity

Because modern people eat fast food frequently, which contains a lot of sodium, and office workers rarely move around, coupled with working in air-conditioned offices where pores are closed and there is little opportunity to sweat, they are prone to edema-type obesity.

Edema-related obesity can be classified into the following types:

Physical edema-related obesity

Office workers who sit for long periods, teachers with special occupations that require prolonged standing, department store clerks, etc., often stand for several hours at a time, which can easily lead to poor venous return. Therefore, the lower body of these people, especially the thighs, buttocks, and calves, is particularly prone to obesity.

Kidney edema

Some patients with edema-type obesity have lower body edema and obesity due to poor kidney function and poor excretion.

Metabolic edema and obesity

This type of edema-related obesity is mainly related to excessive sodium intake. Patients become obese due to water retention caused by consuming too much high-sodium food.

Physiological edema

Women often experience water retention during menstruation and ovulation due to hormonal changes, which can lead to edema-related obesity.

For office workers, a diet high in starch will lead to weight gain much faster than usual. To prevent this, it's essential to address stress reduction, engage in appropriate leisure activities, and ensure sufficient sleep. For existing obesity or significant weight gain, it's best to consult a specialist in obesity to achieve effective and safe weight loss.