Obesity is a prevalent, complex, progressive and relapsing chronic disease, characterized by abnormal or excessive body fat (adiposity), that impairs health.Obesity is a REAL medical condition:

• Inherited in our Genes
• Centered in our Brain
• Influenced by the Environment
• Gets worse over time
• Requires Treatment & Regular Follow-up

There are four factors that affect our weight:

1. Genetics
2. Appetite System and Biology, i.e. neurohormonal
3. Environment
4. Lifestyle

70% of the time, obesity is passed down from our parents. Research studies indicates that the inheritance of obesity is almost same as inheritance of a height of a person i.e. genetically predetermined. These genes of obesity are mostly in the brain. We each have unique sets of genes that determine our appetite systems and our adult weight is regulated via these genes through this appetite system.

There are 3 layers of appetite system, which play a very integral role with each other, they are:
1) Homeostatic system (Hypothalamus)
2) Motivational/Reward system (Amygdala)
3) Executive system (Prefrontal cortex)

This 3-layer Appetite system was evolved during a time when calories were hard to find and our ancestors had to hunt for calories. They had motivation to go and get food for calories/energy needed for their survival.

Our understanding of obesity is that our primitive system has collided with our current day, modern, obesogenic environment, which is full of Ultra processed food, Sugar, Salt, Fat, and is Large portioned, Tasty, Everywhere, Anywhere, Easily accessible, At our doorstep, and Advertised to look healthy.

You have to understand that our genes are programmed to gain weight and defend our highest weight, AND make lots of adipose tissue. Therefore, Obesity is a Battle against one’s Own biology. Our bodies will do anything and everything to prevent weight loss.

That is why weight regain is inevitable after weight loss.

Why? So that we can survive in extreme famine conditions.

These cavemen with the primitive appetite system that is programmed to gain weight so that they can survive in extreme famine conditions, are now roaming around in grocery stores, and in streets full of restaurants, where the food is easily available and approachable. Now, we don’t even have to go out and get food, it is available in our pantry.

So, even though we are not calorie-deficient (negative calorie balance/starvation), because we just had a meal an hour ago, we still would like to have that ‘special donut’, because it is in front of us, tempting us, and our Motivation System is primed to get stimulated by these external cues all around us.

Everyday and every hour, he (caveman) is going after something to eat, whether he is going through a drive through, dine in, celebrations, friends, family, and work.

How many food chains does he see within 5 km of a radius ?

This is our biology against our own environment.

Why? So that we can survive in extreme famine conditions.

These cavemen with the primitive appetite system that is programmed to gain weight so that they can survive in extreme famine conditions, are now roaming around in grocery stores, and in streets full of restaurants, where the food is easily available and approachable. Now, we don’t even have to go out and get food, it is available in our pantry.

So, even though we are not calorie-deficient (negative calorie balance/starvation), because we just had a meal an hour ago, we still would like to have that ‘special donut’, because it is in front of us, tempting us, and our Motivation System is primed to get stimulated by these external cues all around us.

Everyday and every hour, he (caveman) is going after something to eat, whether he is going through a drive through, dine in, celebrations, friends, family, and work.

How many food chains does he see within 5 km of a radius ?

This is our biology against our own environment.

The concept of people living with Obesity that they ‘eat more and move less’ is wrong, and a myth. Only a part of it is due to lifestyle, in fact, modern research says:

“Overeating does not cause Obesity, Obesity causes Overeating.”

The researchers have indicated that we need to ‘re-brand’ exercise because it is not a ‘weight-loss’ tool, but rather, a weight maintenance tool. Studies have shown that physical activity alone is less effective for weight loss than dietary changes alone.

Exercise and diet are important for weight loss, not exercise alone. But, exercise has other benefits, like:

Reduce Cravings & Wanting
Reduce Stress
Improved Mood
Improve Sleep
Improve Energy Level

A Krispy Kream original glazed donut has ~ 200 calories; in order to burn that, a 30-min brisk walk is required. That is why exercise alone is not a good weight-loss tool. And, it is good news for the people living with chronic pain, who unfortunately gave up on losing weight because they think they are unable to exercise, and have put all the blame on exercise.

Learn more about our approach at Mavis Medix