Is the obesity epidemic a result of people trying to lose weight?

Is all the Splenda, non-sugars, and reduced fat foods affecting our metabolisms? I am 16 years old, 5'7" and 145 lbs and I can't seem to lose any weight. My mom buys all of the non-fat foods and Splenda and I wonder if it affects my metabolism.I've tried running and crunches and nothing seems to work. Is going on a diet, stopping and starting a new diet bad? Is exercising excessively and then suddenly stopping, and then starting up again bad also?

all the diet stuff your body doesnt know what to do with it. i think if we eat whole foods once again and not use all the chemical sub foods we would be better off. a really good about diet and nutrition is the new book out called ( YOU on a Diet) it is a really good book. and the doctor explains that yes the splenda stuff is messing with our bodys triggering it to store fat it thinks we are starving. go back to eating real food and just less amount

Yes......... later your body will look like an elastic.
You are the same height as I am, and you weigh the same as I did at your age. I did diet and it took starving to get to 134, and everyone told me I looked awful and too thin. I ended up with dark circles under my eyes as well. Be happy with your weight, it actually is a perfect weight for your height and YOU!
nope, obesity is the result of people stuffing their faces and sitting in front of the computer.
excuse me, my pizza just got delivered.....

but seriously, many 'diet' foods and 'fat free' foods are LOADED with calories. are U reading the label for the calories? Youre wondering if these foods have some hidden ability to keep you from losing weight......no. its calories!
Obesity is the result of weight gain, not trying to 'loose' it! Baring a medical condition causing weight gain, people gain because they over eat, eat inappropriately unhealthy foods, and fail to get enough exercise. Probably the two worst in order of greatest effect are overeating, followed by lack of exercise. The junk food we eat can be eaten in moderation if we exercise, but because most of us don't, it's just considered more 'fat food'.

At one point a few years ago, my doctor told me I should loose 20 to 25 pounds. After giving him a detailed accounting of what I eat, after which he said I wasn't eating inappropriately, he said that I should walk at least 20 minutes a day, at a good clip, not a leisurely stroll, and I wouldn't have a weight problem as I age. He was right. I don't do any other exercising but the walking, and I dropped around 27 pounds in about 8 months. I eat exactly what I was eating before and drink beer to boot! For me, it was the lack of physical activity.

You're young, physical things should be something you do quite a bit of. Don't you get a chance to ride a bike, swim or run around during the day? Do something ... anything ... but don't just lay around ... you'll see, you'll drop the weight!
yes becos ur metabolism changes when u change ur diet esp. eating non-fat foods or low in sugar foods because these have many chemicals in it. The less u eat, the more ur body will think that
u only eat less so the result would be slowing of ur food digestion that will cause to have more fats stored in ur body
Yes, the no sugar-no fat foods do mess up your system. Your metabolism slows down, you begin to store fat because your body things you are starvin yourself. The problem could be "you didn't eat enough of the right nutrients" that your body needs, that can causes you to gain weight. If you are serious about a solution or would like more information--go to www.loseweightnow.com/ednal