Introduction

Obesity has emerged as a significant issue in today’s age. According to the latest research, more than 1 billion people suffer from obesity worldwide. Hence, it is essential to understand what causes it and how to manage it.

What is Obesity?

Obesity is the excessive fat deposition that can damage your health. It is a chronic disease caused by many factors, such as an unhealthy lifestyle.
Various studies have shown that obesity and stress related to it can affect hormones and metabolism. That is why it often opens doors to several other diseases as well. These diseases include high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels, etc.
You can understand this concept easily by studying about BMI. Adults who have a Body Mass Index (BMI) between 25 and 29.9 are considered overweight.
If BMI is higher than 30 then the person is obese. However, if BMI exceeds 40 then the person is classified as severely or morbidly obese.

Adverse Effects of Obesity on Health

Being overweight can cause some serious health concerns. These health issues are:
● Cardiovascular diseases or heart issues.
● Type 2 diabetes.
● Osteoarthritis.
● Breathing problems and asthma.
● Musculoskeletal disorders (muscles, bones, tendons, ligaments, joints, and cartilage).
● Kidney, breast, gallbladder, pancreatic, and liver cancer.
● High chances of infertility in women and difficulty with pregnancy.

Let us look at the major factors that can lead to being overweight.

Main Factors That Can Cause Obesity

1. Excess Food Consumption & Overeating

Most people gain weight because of a lack of calorie management. They consume more than required, which results in obesity. Once they have gained excessive calories, they do not bother to burn them.
Overeating can potentially lead to excess weight as body stores use some calories for energy and the rest are stored as fat.

2. Genetically Transferred

According to research, genetics is another factor that plays a significant role in getting obese. Genes also may contribute to a person’s vulnerability to weight gain.
Some people tend to gain weight quickly as compared to others. This can be due to many reasons, such as weak metabolism or the body’s weak signals to the brain for fullness and satiety.

3. Certain Health Conditions

Sometimes, due to hormonal problems, your body suffers from obesity. These diseases include underactive thyroid, Cushing syndrome, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

4. Stress, Emotional Pressure, and Poor Sleep

Stress and mental pressure sometimes increase hunger in many people. They start eating more than usual to cope with the stress.
Similarly, lack of adequate sleep is associated with increased cortisol levels, linked with obesity.

5. Unhealthy Lifestyle Choices

Consuming fatty and junk food has become a norm today. These unhealthy diet choices are linked with increased health risks.
Physical activities have become obsolete. Many people are unable to exercise because of busy schedules. Resultantly, they do not burn the calories they consume which are stored as fats, causing weight gain.

6. Medication

Medicine-related weight gain is quite common. Antidepressants and seizure medicines add up to weight and cause difficulty in losing it.

7. Unusual Sleeping Habits

Some studies have shown the effect of sleep on obesity: the less you sleep, the more likely it is for you to gain weight. Hormones released during sleep help control hunger. Since you are not sleeping properly, it might be the reason for gaining weight.

Conclusion

Managing obesity is significant for a healthy lifestyle. The causes of this health condition can range from genetics to certain medications.
Other important factors that can contribute to it are lack of sleep, stress, and overeating.
Therefore, you need to adopt a healthy lifestyle by controlling excess food consumption, stopping eating under stress, and supporting healthy eating habits to help reduce obesity.
Make sure to stay physically active and consult with a professional healthcare advisor if you are taking medicines leading to weight gain.

FAQs

1. What are the 5 causes of obesity?

The leading causes of obesity include excess food consumption, genetics, certain health conditions, stress, emotional pressure, poor sleep, unhealthy lifestyles, and some medicines.

2. What is the understanding of obesity?

The excessive fat deposition that can damage your health is obesity. It is a chronic disease that often results from an unhealthy lifestyle.

3. How do you manage or treat obesity?

To manage obesity, a healthy, reduced-calorie diet should be eaten and exercise regularly. You can also consult medical professionals for diet plans or to discuss the medications you are taking.

4. What are its root causes?

Unhealthy eating behaviour, lack of physical activity, and disturbed sleeping habits are the root causes of obesity.

References

www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight#:~:text=Overview,the%20risk%20of%20certain%20cancers.
www.hsph.harvard.edu/obesity-prevention-source/obesity-consequences/health-effects/#:~:text=Obesity%20increases%20the%20risk%20of,changes%20in%20hormones%20and%20metabolism.
www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contentid=DM300&contenttypeid=56#:~:text=If%20you%20need%20to%20take,such%20as%20depression%20and%20schizophrenia.
www.forbes.com/health/weight-loss/obesity-statistics/#:~:text=The%20same%20data%20set%20suggests,million%20children%2C%20according%20to%20WHO.
www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/overweight-and-obesity/cause