Overweight and obesity is a big health problem at present. In all the countries the youth have problem with their weight. Young women have eating disorders or overweight. Young men have problem with his T-Shirt when the weather becomes mild. The health insurances say that almost 30% of the persons treated for weight problems are below 18 years old. The youth must be given the right information so that they know what they do and what is right. I try to explain some of the important general points from today onwards.

What about the food we do eat after 7 p.m. Can they support the weight gain? Many believe this. But, as we know the total calories taken are the deciding one. The metabolism plays no role here. You can eat during day or night. If you take 1500 or 1800 calories they are always the same. It has no direct effect on weight loss or gain.

What really matters is the total calories from the food and drinks you have over the period of a day or a week or a month or longer and how much energy you spend during that period. Excess calories are stored as fat, regardless of whether they are taken before or after 7 p.m. During night we must sleep and during day we work or go to school or do many physical activities. Even if you sleep the body does not stop working. The heart is beating, blood is circulating, lungs are functioning and even the brain is working. Therefore, talking of fast or slow metabolism does not help us here to reduce weight.

But, there are dangers for weight gain if you take the following foods during the night and they include:

• Avoid larger portions in the night
• Avoid fast food. Many feel well to eat fast food such as pizza or burger than steamed vegetables or other usual food.
• A meal in the night is good, but too much of snacks are very bad. The chips and other snacks taking in the night during TV time is the worst and increase the fat content in the body.
• Never avoid meals during day and this makes you to eat unlimited amounts in the night and you take more calories than usual.

Late-night meal has no effect on metabolism and weight gain or loss. However, avoiding big meal and excess snacks is the right strategy to reduce or maintain the weight.