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Causes of Obesity
The #1 cause of obesity is overeating and little or no physical exercise. Genetics, social, environmental and cultural factors make up a small percentage of the other causes of obesity. Individuals who are overweight due to medical problems constitute only 1% of the overweight or obese population.
When does obesity happen?
You do not wake-up one day and find that you are obese - obesity is a
gradual process. Consuming more calories than your system burns leads
to overweight and eventual obesity because the body stores those extra
calories as fat. Being overweight is a ‘heads-up’ warning,
a time to note and eliminate the unhealthy habits that lead you to accumulate
body fat. If you did not develop a healthy lifestyle as a child, you will
probably have to work at developing one as an adult in order to avoid
obesity.
Genetics
Your genes not only affect the way your body stores fat but also determine
the amount of fat it stores. If one or both parents are overweight or
obese, chances are high that one or more of their off-springs will be
overweight. Likewise, taking genetics into account, there is a higher
rate of diabetes in those families whose members tend to be overweight
or obese.
Despite the fact that a family may be genetically inclined toward obesity, when parents adopt a healthy lifestyle, that is, one that includes good nutrition and physical activities, the children have a better chance of avoiding overweight probabilities.
Social and Environmental Factors
Amongst the various causes of obesity, social and/or environmental factors
play a significant role. Americans eat out more frequently than in the
past, resulting in the consumption of large food portions that typically
contain little nutritional value and high levels of fat. Working parents
are often absent from meals, making fast foods convenient, popular, and
delivered to your door. Today, people tend to walk less and drive more.
Physical activity has been replaced with long hours at the office, and
time spent watching television or surfing the web. Finding time and energy
to teach our children a healthy lifestyle has become a difficult task.
Cultural Factors
A person’s ethnic background can interfere with healthy eating habits.
Some cultures have regular family gatherings that involve copious amounts
of food, making the event an ideal excuse to overeat. Certain cultures
typically cook in fat or lard, while others consume highly salted foods,
both of which contribute to the causes of obesity. On the other hand,
children of immigrant parents who practice a healthy lifestyle often abandon
it in favor of what their American classmates and neighbors are doing.
Other Causes of Obesity
In a few cases, a physician might discover an underlying medical reason
for weight gain or weight loss. Although difficult to diagnose, hypothyroidism,
Cushing’s syndrome and polycystic ovary syndrome can cause unusual
weight gain.
Persons with sleep disorders may gain weight over time, and may end up
suffering from sleep apnea, which interferes with a restful night’s
sleep.
Some medications have label warnings indicating potential weight gain.
Common drugs in this category include antidepressants, psychiatric medication
and drugs prescribed for seizure disorders.
A Word of Advice
Before starting any weight loss or exercise program, it is wise to consult
with your physician in order to set a baseline that will help prevent
any potential complications. A bariatric doctor, which is a professional
specializing in weight issues, can set up a well-suited program for your
weight loss goal, monitor your progress, and provide encouragement.
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