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During the past 20 years, the obesity rates in the United States have skyrocketed. More than 1/3 of all adults are considered obese which means that their BMI, or body mass index, is 30 or higher. This nation-wide increase in weight correlates with the increase of fast food restaurants over the last 2 decades. It has become so easy to drive through and grab a lunch or dinner at McDonalds or KFC, and our country is experiencing the health consequences. Statistics also show that about 18 million Americans suffer from alcohol addiction and as we all know, alcoholic drinks are not low in calories!

When considering weight gain or loss, one must take their level of alcohol consumption in mind. Aside from the long-term negative effects on the body's nervous system, cardiovascular system and gastrointestinal system, alcohol may also strongly contribute to weight gain. First of all, alcohol has the ability to make you lose your better judgment, so you will reach for the chips or eat the fried food you normally would not even consider. Also, many people find that after a night of heavy drinking, they are inclined to crave a high calorie, high fat breakfast the next morning.

Consumption of alcohol may also lead to obesity because of the way that the body stores fat after an alcoholic beverage is consumed. According to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the body will burn alcohol for fuel before it turns to fat. Therefore, more fat is stored which contributes to weight gain.

Alcohol consumption in moderate or excessive amounts has monstrous affects on total calorie intake. Alcohol contains unbelievable amounts of calories and is easy to overlook due to its liquid form. Drinking alcohol fills the body with empty calories, or calories that do not have any nutritional benefit, that can range from 90 – 120 per serving of wine, 100- 150 in beer, and as much as 400 in a margarita. A 3-ounce martini generally packs 190 calories, while a standard restaurant mojito contains 200 calories per serving. Needless to say, consuming just one glass of an alcoholic drink daily can ultimately add up to increase your total calorie intake drastically. And, having just one drink is often difficult to do, especially if in a social setting. It is crucial to keep in mind the fact that alcohol is a serious potential threat to any weight loss effort.

The negative effects of alcohol abuse including weight gain, are numerous. If you are trying to lose weight, one the best things you can start doing for your immediate health is to stop drinking alcoholic beverages. For more information and support to help you stop this habit, online alcohol classes are the way to go. They are low cost, and extremely easy to take. The classes are completely private and can be taken from your home computer any time of the day or night, so you don’t need to be tied to a strict appointment time. Simply find a class that interests you, enroll and you are on your way to learning about a healthier lifestyle.