Glossary On Causes

When you take consume more calories than you are able to burn off, you start gaining weight. The body stores these excess calories as fat. Over a period of time, this fat increases if there is no corrective change in the lifestyle and this contributes to obesity.

Additionally, Obesity is also influenced by other factors such as:

• Poor eating habits and food choices: Diets and drinks high in calories, oversized food portions, fast foods, skipping breakfast, etc. are habits detrimental to weight management
• Lack of physical activities / exercise: Sedentary life that is without adequate physical activities is another major contributor to obesity
• Genetic - The amount of fat stored in the body as well its distribution is largely determined by the genetic make up of an individual
• Family history - 0n account of having similar lifestyle and food habits, people from the same family may suffer from obesity of a similar pattern. If one or both of the parents are obese, a child's risk of being obese is significantly increased
• Pregnancy: Weight gain during pregnancy is a normal and essential phenomenon - however some women may find it difficult to lose this excess weight after childbirth
• Certain hormonal problems such as Cushing's syndrome, Hypothyroidism, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOD/PCOS), arthritis, etc. can lead to excess weight gain
• Chronic arthritis or any other chronic pain may indirectly contribute to obesity since physical activities are reduced due to pain and the patient may tend to overeat to psychologically combat the pain
• Certain medications like steroids, antidepressants, seizure medications, certain high blood pressure medicines, etc. may also cause weight gain
• Psychological causes include Bulimia, emotional stress, anxiety, depression, etc. that can lead to overeating thus contributing to obesity