The Root Causes of Obesity

Obesity is defined as the excessive accumulation of fat that causes numerous negative health impacts. Specifically, obesity has been shown to contribute to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, and depression. So, what are the root causes of obesity, and how can we address them?

1. Unhealthy Diet

An unhealthy diet is one of the primary causes of overweight and obesity, stemming from the consumption of more calories than the body needs daily. Obesity occurs when excess calories are not burned, leading to the accumulation of fat. An unhealthy diet contributes to obesity for several reasons:

• High-sugar foods: Sugary drinks, sodas, and pastries are high in sugar, leading to excess calorie intake. Sugar is quickly metabolized into energy, and if not used, it is stored as fat.
• Foods high in unhealthy fats: Fast food, fried items, and processed foods contain large amounts of saturated and trans fats, which increase the risk of fat accumulation.
• Large portion sizes: Overeating without controlling daily portion sizes leads to consuming more calories than the body requires.
• Lack of fiber: Fiber helps create a feeling of fullness and controls appetite. Diets lacking in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains often cause people to overeat.
• Low protein intake: Protein helps maintain muscle mass and prolongs the feeling of fullness. A diet low in protein can result in frequent snacking, leading to weight gain.
• Skipping breakfast: Skipping breakfast can increase hunger later, leading to overeating in subsequent meals and an excess calorie intake.

2. Lack of Physical Activity

A sedentary lifestyle is one of the main causes of obesity, as it prevents the body from burning the energy consumed daily. When caloric intake exceeds the body’s energy expenditure, the surplus calories are converted into fat and stored. Lack of physical activity contributes to obesity for the following reasons:

• Energy is not expended: The body uses fewer calories to maintain basic functions like breathing, digestion, and circulation when you’re inactive, resulting in unburned calories being stored as fat.
• Excess energy is stored: Every time you eat, the body absorbs energy from food. Without regular physical activity, this energy isn’t used, and the surplus is stored as fat.
• Decreased metabolic rate: Physical activity boosts metabolism. When you don’t exercise, your metabolism slows, making it harder to burn calories, even when eating less.
• Loss of muscle mass: Physical activity, especially strength training, helps maintain and build muscle. Muscle burns more calories than fat, so when muscle mass decreases due to inactivity, the body burns fewer calories, even at rest.
• Accumulation of visceral fat: Inactivity can lead to the buildup of visceral fat, the fat stored around internal organs. This type of fat increases the risk of chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and hypertension.

3. Genetic Factors

Genetics play a significant role in the cause of obesity by influencing metabolism, energy consumption, and storage in the body. Obesity influenced by genetics makes some individuals more prone to weight gain than others, even with a similar diet and physical activity level. Genetic factors contribute to the root of obesity in the following ways:

• Slow metabolism: Some people have genes that slow down metabolism, making it difficult for the body to burn energy efficiently. This leads to unused calories being easily stored as fat.
• Energy storage capacity: Genetics may cause some individuals’ bodies to store energy as fat instead of using it immediately for daily activities.
• Fat distribution: Genetics determine where fat is stored. Some people are predisposed to accumulate fat in the abdomen, hips, or thighs, which increases the risk of obesity and related diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular issues.
• Influence on food preferences: Research shows genetics can affect food preferences, causing some people to crave sugary, high-fat, or high-calorie foods.
• Impact on eating behavior: Genetics can influence how the body responds to food stimuli and feelings of enjoyment, causing some people to overeat.

4. Environmental and Social Factors

Environmental and social factors play a key role in causing obesity because they directly affect lifestyle, eating habits, and physical activity levels. These factors strongly influence what people eat, how they move, and even how they access health information. Environmental and social elements contribute to the root causes of obesity in the following ways:

• Prevalence of processed foods: In modern environments, processed foods, fast food, and foods high in sugar, saturated fats, and salt are ubiquitous. These foods are not only convenient but often cheaper than fresh options, leading many people to consume them frequently, causing weight gain due to excessive calorie intake.
• Sedentary lifestyle: Many people spend most of their day sitting in front of computers, phones, or TVs, especially in office work and educational environments. This sedentary lifestyle reduces calorie burning, leading to fat accumulation and weight gain.
• Busy lifestyle: In today’s society, people are increasingly busy with work and other responsibilities. This leaves less time to prepare healthy meals, resulting in a reliance on fast or processed foods, which tend to be high in calories and low in nutrients.
• Lack of time for physical activity: Busy work schedules and long working hours prevent many people from engaging in regular physical activity, reducing metabolism and leading to weight gain.

5. Hormonal Imbalances

Hormonal imbalances can cause obesity, as hormones play a vital role in regulating metabolism, hunger, and fat storage. When the hormone system is out of balance, several mechanisms may lead to weight gain and obesity, including:

• Insulin: Insulin regulates blood sugar levels. Insulin resistance causes the body to produce more insulin, leading to increased fat storage and weight gain.
• Thyroid hormones: The thyroid gland releases hormones that regulate metabolism. Hypothyroidism results in less energy being burned, leading to fat accumulation and weight gain.
• Leptin and ghrelin: Leptin signals to the brain that the body is full, while ghrelin signals hunger. An imbalance in these hormones can lead to overeating and weight gain.
• Estrogen: Estrogen levels in women fluctuate during the menstrual cycle, perimenopause, or menopause. A decrease in estrogen, particularly during menopause, slows metabolism and leads to fat accumulation in the abdominal area.

6. Comorbidities

Comorbidities can cause obesity due to various factors, including metabolic changes, limited mobility, and impacts on eating habits. Some conditions may directly or indirectly lead to weight gain and obesity, such as:

• Hypothyroidism: The thyroid gland produces hormones that regulate metabolism. When the thyroid is underactive, metabolism slows down, causing the body to burn less energy and store excess fat.
• Cushing’s Syndrome: This condition occurs when the adrenal glands produce too much cortisol, leading to fat accumulation, especially in the abdomen, neck, and face.
• Insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes: When the body becomes resistant to insulin, the pancreas must produce more insulin to maintain blood sugar levels. High insulin levels can cause fat storage, leading to weight gain.
• Arthritis: Joint conditions cause pain and limit mobility, making it difficult for patients to engage in physical activities. Reduced movement leads to lower daily energy consumption, causing fat accumulation.
• Spinal or bone injuries: People with severe injuries may lose mobility for long periods, reducing energy expenditure and leading to fat accumulation.
• Depression: Depression can affect eating habits, leading to overeating or uncontrolled eating, particularly foods high in sugar and fat. Depression medications may also cause weight gain.
• Anxiety and stress: Chronic stress increases cortisol levels, leading to fat storage and weight gain, particularly around the abdomen.

7. Prolonged Stress

Prolonged stress can cause obesity by affecting both psychological and physiological aspects, particularly through changes in hormones and eating behaviors. Here are the main mechanisms explaining how chronic stress can lead to weight gain and obesity:

• Increased cortisol levels: Cortisol is the primary hormone released during stress, helping the body cope with short-term stressful situations. However, when stress is prolonged, cortisol levels remain elevated for extended periods, stimulating fat storage in the abdomen, reducing energy expenditure, and increasing appetite.
• Changes in eating behavior: Under stress, many people tend to eat to alleviate anxiety or negative feelings. High-calorie foods like sweets and fast food are often chosen because they provide quick comfort.
• Reduced physical activity: Prolonged stress often leaves people feeling exhausted, lacking energy, and losing motivation to exercise. A lack of physical activity reduces daily calorie expenditure, contributing to weight gain.

8. Sleep Deprivation

Sleep deprivation is one of the causes of obesity as it affects metabolism, hormone regulation, and eating behavior. Here are the main reasons explaining how sleep deprivation is at the root of obesity:

• Increased appetite: Sleep deprivation not only increases hunger but also causes cravings for high-calorie foods like fast food, sweets, and carb-heavy meals. Sleep deprivation affects brain areas related to satisfaction and food cravings, making unhealthy food choices more likely.
• Metabolic changes: Sleep deprivation slows down metabolism. When you don’t get enough sleep, the body cannot efficiently use energy, leading to more fat storage. Calorie burning at rest is also affected when you’re sleep-deprived.
• Reduced energy expenditure: When sleep-deprived, you often feel tired and lack energy, resulting in reduced physical activity. This lowers daily calorie consumption and increases the likelihood of fat accumulation.
• Impact on glucose processing: Sleep deprivation affects the body’s ability to use glucose, causing insulin resistance. Insulin resistance leads to fat accumulation and increases the risk of type 2 diabetes.
• Increased nighttime eating: Those who are sleep-deprived often tend to eat more at night. Eating outside the body’s biological rhythm can increase excess calorie intake, leading to fat accumulation and disrupting metabolism.

9. Unhealthy Lifestyle

An unhealthy lifestyle is one of the root causes of obesity as it directly affects factors such as diet, physical activity, and daily habits. Below are the reasons why an unhealthy lifestyle is one of the main contributors to obesity:

• Consumption of sugary drinks and alcohol: Soft drinks and sugary beverages provide the body with many empty calories without making you feel full, leading to excessive energy intake. Meanwhile, alcohol not only contains many calories but also affects metabolism, increasing appetite and reducing the body’s ability to burn energy.
• Electronic device usage habits: Spending long hours on computers, phones, or watching TV reduces physical activity. The habit of prolonged sitting without movement increases the risk of fat accumulation and obesity.
• Neglecting mental health: An unhealthy lifestyle is often associated with a lack of attention to mental health. Depression, anxiety, or emotional imbalances can lead to uncontrolled eating and physical inactivity.

This article has helped us understand the root causes of obesity or the deeper reasons behind obesity. Understanding these causes will help patients find appropriate solutions to ensure effective treatment. More importantly, we need to take proactive steps to maintain our health early on to control weight, live healthily, and enjoy longevity.

Source: worldobesity.org, nutritionsource.hsph.harvard.edu,  jeffersonhealth.org