Obesity is the major global health problem that usually caused by eating too much and moving too little. The balance between calorie intake and energy expenditure determines a person's weight. Many people who live in Western countries now have jobs that are less physically demanding, so they don't tend to burn as many calories at work. People with obesity may eat more calories before they're full, feel hungry sooner, or overeat due to stress or anxiety.
Obesity is an epidemic in the United States and by 2050, it is estimated that one-third of all Americans will be obese. The causes of obesity are multifactorial and include a number of genetic, environmental and psychological factors.
Obesity has various social consequences that may vary from country to country. For example, obesity in the United States may be seen as a sign of economic prosperity and social prestige, compared to developing countries where obesity means poverty and malnutrition.
Obesity is a serious disease that can be caused by different factors. There are many reasons people can become obese. Some of these causes include genetics, medical conditions, medications and substance use. causes of obesity:
Genetics
Some people claim that there is no point in
trying to lose weight because it runs in my family or it's in my genes. A
person is more likely to be obese if one or both parents are obese. Genetics
also affect the hormones involved in fat regulation. It may be true that
certain genetic traits you inherit from your parents - such as an increased
appetite - can make it difficult to lose weight, but it certainly doesn't make
it impossible.
Physical Inactivity
Lack
of physical activity is another important factor related to obesity. Many
people have jobs that involve sitting at a desk most of the day. They also rely
on their cars instead of walking or cycling. Sedentary people burn fewer
calories than active people. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
(NHANES) shows a strong association between physical inactivity and weight gain
in both sexes. For relaxation, many people watch TV, browse the Internet or
play computer games, and rarely exercise regularly.
Medications
In
some cases, underlying medical conditions can lead to weight gain. These
include, an underactive thyroid gland– where your thyroid gland does not
produce enough hormones and Cushing's syndrome – a rare disorder that causes an
overproduction of steroid hormones. Medications associated with weight gain
include certain antidepressants, anticonvulsants, Tegretol XR, and
valproate. Some diabetes medications, certain hormones such as oral
contraceptives, and most corticosteroids such as prednisone
Social Issues
There is a link between social problems and obesity. Lack of money to buy healthy foods or lack of safe places to walk or exercise can increase the risk of obesity.
Overabundance of processed foods also a major cause of obesity. A person eating these foods is not aware of the fact that these are unhealthy calories.
Another causes of obesity can be stress and depression. Stress can cause high levels of cortisol, which can increase appetite and increase feelings of reward from food consumption. Depression can also affect weight gain because it causes changes in hormones such as serotonin, which in turn affect appetite levels, hormone secretion, metabolism and other things related to weight gain or loss.
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