ChristiaNet.com (http://www.christianet.com), the world's largest Christian portal with twelve million monthly page loads, orchestrated a survey asking readers, "What is the biggest contributing factor for obesity?" The majority of 237 respondents seem to generally agree that eating the wrong foods and lack of exercise are major contributors. Many respondents commented that fast foods are a major culprit because they provide a quick way to take care of meals. Another participant made the statement that the service may be quick but food choices are not usually nutritious. "Malnutrition from processed foods contributes greatly to obesity as well as emotional factors," wrote one participant.
Emotional eating due to stress is another path that could lead to weight gain. One respondent wrote, "We no longer have extended family support or services to get through life." Some people find comfort in food. Could emotional eating be due to spiritual hunger instead of physical hunger? Several reader's that participated in the survey commented that many people lack self-worth and are suffering from a spiritual hunger that only God can fill.
Several participants brought up the point that watching too many fast food ads on television can contribute to eating more fast foods and becoming obese. Advertisers have learned that repetition can have rewards and that is why the same commercials play over and over. Generally speaking many responders agreed that one of the reasons people tend to overeat is because they are not eating nutritionally sound food and advertisements often influence those watching to make bad food choices.
Depression and stress can lead to obesity as sufferers reach for anything to make them feel better. The people of a fast-paced society often look for a quick fix and often use the excuse that they don't have the time to do anything else. One participant summed this up very wisely by saying, "Dependence on food instead of God, it makes us happy, it comforts us when we are sad, it calms us down when mad, it entertains when we are bored." Eating every time there is stress in your life might be an indicator that there is something missing in your spiritual life. For more information, visit: http://www.christianet.com/bible/
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ChristiaNet.com (http://www.christianet.com), the world's largest Christian portal with twelve million monthly page loads, receives around one million visitors per month and has 400,000 email subscribers who have access to an online shopping mall, job bank, Biblical and life application resources, free ecards, Christian blogs and friendship communities.
