Obesity Causes

Obesity Factors and facts

The causes of obesity are not contributed to any one factor. Obesity is a result of many physiological reasons, including:

• Genetics
• Cultural influences
• Lack of physical activity
• Psychological or emotional factors
• Gender and hormones
• Aging
• High calorie intake and fatty diet
• Medical problems

Obesity Causes: Genetics

Our genetic pre-disposition plays a big role in how our bodies assimilate and metabolize food and balance energy. Children who have obese parents are more likely to be obese, so family history can increase chances of obesity by at least 30 percent. Although heredity is a common trait, it does not always destine children of obese parents to be overweight, but it can make you more susceptible. Controlling caloric consumption and foods containing a high amount of fat can make a big difference.
People cannot change their genetic make-up, but everyone can exercise willpower to ensure a slimmer outcome. Be aware of your family history and ask your physician about ways to trim the fat from your diet and you.

If there are cases of obesity in your family. please contact an obesity specialist. He or she can help you treat your obesity problem.

Obesity Causes: Culture

People are raised in different cultures and environments, and what we prepare and eat is a big part of our cultural upbringing. Throughout our upbringing, we learn what to eat from our elders. Some cultures are more prone to obesity than others.

Learning the right eating habits can mean the difference between being slim or being obese.

Our food choices and selections are learned from our upbringing. Family rituals and events are often centered around meals, so the cultural aspect of eating is very relevant to the food selections we make and how likely we are to get obese as we get older and more independent.
Additionally, some cultures incorporate more physical activity in their daily routines than others. This is also a determining factor in the causes for obesity. Cultures that rely on manual labor and physical work are less likely to be obese than cultures that rely on machinery to do the work and sedentary tasks.

Today’s culture believes that “more is better” and it promotes eating habits that contribute to obesity.

Larger portions and foods are more readily available rather than thinking about the importance of choosing foods with the most nutritional value.� The American diet is one of the worst influences, because of the “super-size” mentality and it can be high in fat content. In addition, food is used as a reward system in the USA. As a results, obesity is a raising epidemic in America.
Children are rewarded with sweets and foods containing a lot of high-fructose corn syrup (a leading ingredient in many processed foods) for doing chores and going something good. Very rarely is the actual need, based upon “hunger” as a factor.
The best approach to “eating” is making sure that what you are putting into your body – or telling your children to eat – is healthy and nutritious. By doing this, we will educate our children to choose what is good for them rather than what makes them obese.

Obesity Causes: Physical Inactivity

In an age where everything is convenient and at the tip of our fingers, physical inactivity becomes a larger issue. People are less active, hence the growing issues of obesity. The more physically inactive the person, the more difficulty he or she may have with mobility and activity. In addition, physical inactivity leads to greater health issues with age. It is vital to stay active and healthy.
Lack of exercise leads to many health issues, including: deterioration of the cardio-vascular system, the endocrine and digestive system - in addition to the muscular-skeletal system. Seriously overweight increasingly have difficulty moving. The additional weight causes pain in the lower body: feet, knees and ankles.
Obesity can cause shortness of breath and fatigue. The risks of obesity are no secret, which is why the health and health care industry push diet and exercise on society. It is in your best interest to eat healthy and stay active, throughout your life.

Obesity Causes: Emotional or Psychological Factors

Obesity can happen due to psychological and emotional factors. People often “feed” their emotions with comfort foods when they are upset, under stress.

Food is used as a source to cope with depression, which is why we “medicate” by eating chocolate or sweets when we feel sad or blue. When someone we know is grieving, we may make a pie or offer confections to as a kind gesture. Conversely, food is also used for happier occasions, like celebrations and as a reward system. When we celebrate a new job or birthday, we may go out for a big meal or have a big cake. Food is a significant part of our lives and memories and it “carries a lot of weight.” When food is used to give comfort or makes us feel good, there is a high risk that we can become obese.
Food is also a substitute for friendship and love for many people. Many people eat and gain weight or become obese to replace friends and loved ones, because they feel they can control the outcome. Their favorite foods make them feel good and will not abandon, reject or hurt them. After treatment and weight loss, patients usually recognize their emotional attachments to food, so it becomes less important. Weight loss liberates people and allows them to develop and foster new interests and become more active and varied in their activities.

Obesity Causes: Gender

In general, muscle burns and utilizes more energy than fat, which is why it is optimum to eat healthy foods and exercise to develop muscles – to burn more fat through muscle development and energy usage.
This is the cycle. It is a well known fact that men have more muscle than women, so naturally, men have a lower fat percentage than women, in general. Men burn 10 to 20 percent more calories than women do, so women have a higher propensity to become obese. Physiologically, men develop muscle tissue easier than women and convert fat to muscle easier, so weight loss or obesity for men is different than for women.

Obesity Causes: Aging

It is natural for the body to develop more fat cells and to burn less energy and fat as we age. As we get older, our metabolism slows down due to our depleted muscle mass. In addition, the amount of muscle in our bodies decrease, and fat accounts for a greater percentage of our physical make up and total weight. With less muscle to help burn calories and a lower metabolism, the tendency will be toward weight gain.

Together, these changes may result in obesity if caloric consumption is not reduced. � If your food intake is not adjusted, you will gain weight and become obese.

Obesity Causes: High-Calorie/High Fat Diet

Fat accounts for more than twice the amount of calories as protein or carbohydrates, ounce for ounce. For every four calories in carbohydrates, fat contains nine, which is why a balanced diet containing higher amounts of protein and carbohydrates versus fat, is important.�
Weight gain and obesity can occur with a high fat diet, because fat contains more calories that must be burned to maintain a healthy weight. If one person consumed the same amount of calories in protein and carbohydrates, as a person consuming fat calories, the high-fat diet would result in higher body fat than someone eating a lower fat diet, because fat calories are more difficult to convert and the body tends to store the excess.
The American diet is one that includes many processed and fast foods that are high in fat and less healthy. Obesity is the end-result for many people who have a high fat, high calorie diet, which is why obesity has become a growing issue.

Obesity Causes: Medical Problems

Some illnesses, such as hyperthyroidism, hormonal imbalances, Cushing’s syndrome, depression and some neurological problems may lead to metabolic disorders, but they account for less than two percent of all obesity cases.� Weight gain, however can and does occur from taking drugs such as steroids and some antidepressants. If disease or medical issues are the cause, then this type of obesity is classified as Type-2 or “Secondary” obesity in which case the medical problem would be treated first.