How Weight Gain Can Affect Your Confidence
On broadways and fashion runways where streets are paved with idealistic inclinations towards a perceived body type, regular body types are often marked off against the societal adoption of what beauty truly means.
Recently, the definition of beauty has been added in traits that are strung on a chord of a rather non-virtuous tune, one which produces a discordant note of self-worth appraised through vague yardsticks and trendy standards.
Daily, we are besieged by acclaimed role models on social media oozing masculinity or flaunting alluring figures that supposedly have been retouched by enhanced medical procedures.
A phenomenon that has promoted a craving for certain body shapes, especially amongst the millennials.
From magazine covers to billboards cradling mammoth pictures of endorsed models, many have been awakened to a heightened sense of confidence that is premised on good physical traits.
In the dawn of this reality, what becomes the fate of many who are not endowed with these societally endorsed traits?
Weight gain is an increase in body weight, and this increase can be experienced either in the muscle mass, fat deposits, excess fluids and other external factors.
Most times, weight gain is a word that does not resonate well with many people, particularly those in showbiz or sports, as this tends to reduce their efficiency in their various fields of career.
How does weight gain affect the confidence of a person? Can an abstract quality such as self-worth be evaluated through the lens of a physical attribute such as weight gain?
There are three kinds of body types, and there has been connected to certain psychological traits.
- Endomorphic
- Mesomorphic
- Ectomorphic
Endomorphic
Physical traits – fat, short, difficult to lose weight and soft
Psychological trait – friendly, outgoing, happy, lazy, selfish, and laid back
Mesomorphic
Physical traits – hard body, strong, thick stoned, good posture, narrow waist, muscular and evenly distributed weight
Psychological traits – extroverted, competitive, tough, dynamic, and aggressive
Ectomorphic
Physical traits – skinny, tall, intelligent and self-conscious
Psychological traits – introvert, anxious, calm, and gentle
The analogical inference of a psychological trait from a physical one was suggested by psychologists, although the extent of this theory has not been fully ascertained as this juxtaposition is found in a very small percentage of people.
Gaining an extra pound seems to leave a lot of people unsettled, a fear that stems from factors hinged on health grounds to emotional ones.
Since weight gain has been established to have a profound impact on the physical and emotional stance of several people, it is imperative that we look at the factors that contribute to it.
Factors That Contribute To Weight Gain
Within the purview of this context, weight gain has garnered a lot of views and reviews, given the contradictory stance shared by many people.
Taking a concise look at surveys and statistics conducted using certain parameters, the factors that contribute to weight gain include;
Inherent Traits/Genetics
Genetics plays an important role in this stance because a predominant phenotypic trait present within a family might be passed on to their offspring.
Most genetic factors are shared traits in a family, a deposit of an inherent trait that is threaded through the helix of the chromosome, passed down from one generation to another.
So, if a possible genetic trait of obesity is prevalent in a family lineage, the probability of having offspring with a bigger body mass is certainly high.
Though this is not a factor that plays out in every family, a good number of individuals with a genetic predisposition for obesity have turned out with physical characteristics such as weight gain.
Processed Food/Engineered Junk Food
The calories displayed on the labels of food jars are the most ignored things as most people are rather concerned with content.
The proliferation of processed food has significantly risen due to the fast-paced lifestyle embraced by several people.
These foods are laden with high carbohydrates and salt, a factor that helps in weight gain.
Since highly processed foods are less appetizing and satiating, the tendency to consume more of these meals is considerably high, and this, in turn, produces weight gain.
On the other hand, salt, when consumed in large amounts, can lead to short-term weight gain because salt contributes to fluid retention and thus promotes obesity.
Food Addiction
Food can serve as a means of nourishment and addiction. Excessive indulgence in unhealthy eating patterns has been an easy route to self-denial.
Many people, saddled with the intricacies of life, become immersed in their troubles, allowing themselves to get overwhelmed by the circumstance, and without a solution in view, most of these victims turn to eat as a measure of escape from a perceived life of frustration.
These eating addictions are described in detail below.
Bulimia
Bulimia is an eating disorder, a serious, potentially life-threatening situation that affects people that secretly indulge in binge eating.
They consume large amounts of food without control, ingesting whatever food particle that satisfies their craving and, afterwards, seek ways to get rid of the food through purgative means.
Symptoms Of Bulimia
- Victims are living in constant fear of gaining weight
- A consistent episode of eating abnormally large amounts of food in one portion
- Uncontrolled eating desire during bingeing
- Constantly saddled with physical appearances such as body shape and weight.
Anorexia
This is another eating disorder that emanates from abnormally low body weight. The victims are engulfed in constant fear of gaining weight and a distorted perception of weight.
Anorexia is borne out of a high premium placed on techniques used in controlling body weight and shape.
The people suffering from anorexia employ extreme measures to cut down on their weight gain, a process that has live- threatening impacts.
Symptoms
- A high tendency toward the control of calorie intake
- Victims indulge in measures that prompt vomiting after eating by abusing diet aids, laxatives, enemas, or diuretics.
- They often indulge in rigorous exercise routines to reduce their weight gain and fit into their desired physical shape.
Depression
The lack of enthusiasm and drive for things has been the major underlying factor for depression.
It is an emotional state of despair, one that is characterized by persistent sadness and a lack of interest in activities that were previously rewarding.
This mental state can trigger unhealthy eating patterns and an imbued sense of anxiety. Depression, as a mental disorder, affects more than 264 million people worldwide.
A statistic that is shared by a huge percentage across the globe is an estimate that further reiterates the impact of this ailment on the emotional health of people.
Symptoms
- A heightened feeling of tearfulness, sadness, hopelessness, and despair.
- A progressive decline in motivation and interest in normal activities such as hobbies, passions, and career.
- Distorted sleep patterns, insomnia and sleep disturbances.
- Tiredness and lack of energy, and loss of passion for carrying out tasks
- A decreased appetite, weight loss or increased cravings for food and weight gain
- Agitation, anxiety, or restlessness
- Lack of coordination and cognitive failure
- A feeling of worthlessness or guilt and a lack of self-confidence.
- A pervasive feeling of suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts or suicide
- Unexpected health challenges and physical issues.
Now that the causes of weight gain have been ascertained, how do we connect the context of weight gain and self-confidence? What are the similarities between these two terms? Is it just a conjecture that is formed based on speculative assumptions?
It is an undeniable fact that weight gain has an emotional bearing on the image perception of millions of people, especially in this period of glorified self-worth that is being rocked by the cradle of social media fervour across the world.
In this stance, let us consider the effect of weight gain on a person’s confidence.
How Weight Gain Can Affect Your Confidence
In life, the desire to pursue dreams and accomplish great feats lies solely on a personal determination harped on the level of self-confidence surging through a person.
These attributes are the attestation to the doggedness that drives a man of purpose, an innate desire which fans the embers of self-confidence nestled within them.
So, when physical attributes such as obesity and weight gain overwhelm a sense of purpose and determination, sapping the drive for motivation and self-confidence, what becomes of an individual thrown on the waves of these troubled waters?
Research and clinical studies have shown that an increase in weight gain can have an impact on;
Physical Health
From the feeling of low self-esteem to a decline in motivation for activities, a gradual process which precludes a decline in physical health.
Most obese people tend to indulge in binge eating, building up calories, gaining more weight, and getting more exposed to issues that affect their health.
Emotional Health
Statistics have shown that the prevalence of depressive symptoms in obese women is about 21.2%, a factor that is hugely prompted by the perceived societal standard for beauty.
Furthermore, this situation makes the victims become less confident, emotionally unstable, and socially inactive.
Psychological Health
A progressive decline in physical health coupled with a distorted emotional stance could lead to a breakdown in psychological health.
When depression and mental instability set in, the victim is susceptible to more adverse health conditions.
Conclusion
Confidence, though an abstract quality, is a necessary push for the accomplishment of many things and, as such, should not be hinged on a physical quality as fleeting as obesity.
Whether you are rocking a slim figure or endowed with more body mass, your self-worth should not be mirrored through the eyes of endorsed societal yardsticks.
Instead, it should be a reflection of a personality appraised in your stance and affirmed in the most positive way.
Also find out how to find my career passion.
