Overview
Now that you have an idea about the symptoms, what do you think causes obesity or excess body mass in individuals? Is it just the food that we are eating or the lack of activity in day-to-day life? The causes of obesity are diverse and range from personal lifestyle choices to genetic complications.
What Causes Obesity?
It is with no doubt that the food we eat and the lifestyle we lead play a crucial role in the incidence of obesity. In fact, the ease and accessibility of “unhealthy” fast food are one of the key markers of obesity globally.
But, that isn’t just the case. In fact, obesity stems from a variety of causes, including:
Genetic predisposition – Genetics play a crucial role in the body’s metabolism. From the regulation of the appetite to the food’s processing, a lot is influenced by genetics.
Unhealthy diet – Eating a diet rich in low nutrition and high calories is a primary risk factor for obesity.
Sedentary lifestyle – Eating more calories than you burn in a day is a pivotal contributor to obesity and it stems from the lack of exercise.
Side effects – Obesity can be a consequence of multiple diseases and medications.
Social and economic issues – People who have access to low-nutrition and high-calorie foods are at heightened risk of being obese.
Age – Lack of activity and change in metabolic factors as we age also lead to risks of obesity.
When do People get Obese?
There is no “particular” time when people get obese. Obesity is a progressive condition that gets worse over time. So, an individual starts being overweight and then gradually works towards becoming obese.