Between body weight and metabolism, a widespread misnomer runs amok. Contrary to popular belief, being overweight is unnecessarily correlated to a sluggish metabolism. The condition known as hypothyroidism or an under-active thyroid gland is not always associated with being overweight.

Quite the opposite, excess weight is infrequently related to having a low metabolism. Consequently, the vast majority of individuals who are over weight are not afflicted with the condition of an under-active thyroid gland. Nevertheless, a physician may conduct a comprehensive evaluation to assess a medical condition could be affecting anyone’s weight gain.

Generally, weight gain transpires when there is an imbalance of energy or expended fuel versus the consumption of excessive calories. Losing weight necessitates raising the number of calories burnt via physical activity, the creation of an energy deficit by consuming fewer calories or ideally both.

A Review on the Body’s Caloric Requirements

Four elements affect calorie requirements: gender, age, body size and composition.

-Gender. In general, men have more lean muscle and less body fat than their female counterparts do. As a result, it is the primary reason men have a higher basal metabolic rate and are able to expend more calories than women.

-Body size and composition. In order of the body to function at peak performance, a grand body mass needs more calories to operate than a slighter body mass does. Moreover, muscle utilizes calories faster than fat does. Consequently, more muscle is associated with an elevated basal metabolic rate.

-Age. With age, comes a reduction of lean muscle and fat percentages increase. The metabolism becomes sluggish as the body ages, naturally. In aging individuals coupled with their slowing metabolism, the body’s caloric requirements are reduced.