Obesity Causes Explored

There are many possible causes for adult obesity including eating habits, genetic factors, environmental and social factors, and even diseases that can contribute to obesity. This article explores some of those causes for obesity.

Our eating habits can contribute to weight gain especially if we have more than one bad habit that adds to the problem such as eating frequently at fast-food restaurants, eating a lot of snacks that contain high-calorie, high sugar or high-fat content. Eating larger than normal portion sizes or eating second or third helpings.

Scientists believe that there may be a genetic link to obesity that is encouraged by environmental factors such as lifestyle, and the easy availability of abundant food.

There may also be environmental and social factors that contribute to the obesity problem that include lifestyle behaviors such as eating more than your body needs combined with not being physically active and also consuming large meals that contain high-fat foods. We live in a fast-paced society in which we often have very little time for sit-down meals anymore that encourages fast-food lunches and dinners or eating from vending machines because of the convenience these places offer people who are in a hurry to get to work, school, meetings, events or sporting games. When was the last time your family actually sat down together at a table for a meal together?

There may be other social factors such as poverty and lower level of education that scientists say may be linked to obesity. High-calorie processed foods cost less and are also easier to locate and prepare than the healthier alternatives such as fresh fruits and vegetables that must be prepared instead of just heated in a microwave.

There are certain diseases that contribute to the occurrence of obesity such as hypothyroidism, which is a condition in which the thyroid gland fails to produce enough of the thyroid hormone resulting in a lower than normal metabolic rate. The person loses energy and fails to exercise as much as they should. Cushing’s syndrome is another disease that can contribute to obesity and is also a hormonal disorder. Women with polycystic ovary syndrome may also be prone to obesity.

If you suspect that you may be obese it is important to make an appointment with your medical doctor so that obesity can be determined and the cause or causes explored. Once the cause is determined you can make a good treatment plan to reduce your weight and lower your risk for health issues linked to obesity. Print out and bring in this article when you go to the doctor’s office and discuss with your doctor all the possible causes for obesity, hopefully doing so will help springboard your conversation and help to pinpoint some areas in your life that may be contributing to your weight issue.