Obesity - Causes (2024)

FAQs

What is the main cause of obesity? ›

Obesity is generally caused by eating too much and moving too little. If you consume high amounts of energy, particularly fat and sugars, but don't burn off the energy through exercise and physical activity, much of the surplus energy will be stored by the body as fat.

Obesity is commonly defined as having too much body mass. A BMI of 30 or higher is the usual benchmark for obesity in adults. A BMI of 40 or higher is considered severe (formerly “morbid”) obesity. Childhood obesity is measured against growth charts.

What's become the typical Western diet-frequent, large meals high in refined grains, red meat, unhealthy fats, and sugary drinks-plays one of the largest roles in obesity.

Obesity increases the risk of several debilitating, and deadly diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, and some cancers. It does this through a variety of pathways, some as straightforward as the mechanical stress of carrying extra pounds and some involving complex changes in hormones and metabolism.

People ages 60 and older are more likely to be obese than younger adults, according to the most recent data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. And the problem also affects children. Approximately 20%, of U.S. children and adolescents ages 2 to 19 are obese.

Reducing calories and practicing healthier eating habits are key to overcoming obesity. Although you may lose weight quickly at first, steady weight loss over the long term is considered the safest way to lose weight. It's also the best way to keep weight off permanently. There is no best weight-loss diet.

Yes. Obesity, with its overwhelming prevalence of 1 in 6 adults in the U.S., is now recognized as a chronic disease by several organizations, including the American Medical Association.

According to BMI, general population is classified in five categories: underweight (BMI < 18.5 kg/m²), normal weight (BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m²), class I obesity - overweight (BMI 25.0-29.9 kg/m²), class II obesity - obesity (BMI 30.0-39.9 kg/m²), class III obesity - extreme obesity (BMI > 40 kg/m²).

People who regularly eat and drink more calories than they burn each day are more likely to gain extra weight, including belly fat. Getting older also makes a difference. People lose muscle as they age. And the problem is worse for those who are not physically active.

What are 3 major reasons why obesity is on the rise? ›

Cause for concern

Hunnes' statement by summarizing that the major causes behind the climbing rates of obesity include the disappearance of fresh food markets, control of food chains by supermarkets, and the increasing mass production of processed foods in many countries.

The prevalence of extreme obesity also increased during 1976–1980 and 2007–2008, and approximately 6% of U.S. adults now have a BMI of 40 kg/m2 or higher. The United States is not alone in experiencing an obesity epidemic.

Is it possible to be overweight and healthy? Silvana Pannain, MD: Yes, you can be overweight and metabolically healthy. At the same time, we know that obesity is a disease that affects the body in many different ways. Thirteen types of cancer and 200 other health conditions are related to obesity.

Obesity is a classic example of prevention being better than cure. Once you become obese, your body's own search for homeostasis makes it harder for you to lose weight long-term. And a healthy diet is more effective at helping us manage our body weight than yo yo dieting once we've already become overweight.

Bias and Outdated Views Are Keeping Many Doctors from Treating Obesity Effectively. New research finds that bias about the root cause of obesity affects how healthcare professionals recommend treatment for people who are living with this chronic disease.

Several factors can play a role in gaining and retaining excess weight. These include diet, lack of exercise, environmental factors, and genetics. Some of these factors are discussed briefly in the following section.

Lack of exercise is also a major culprit in the obesity epidemic. It's been decades since most Americans worked in fields and on factory floors, a far greater majority of us are sitting throughout our workday. This means less exercise each day.

Is it possible to be overweight and healthy? Silvana Pannain, MD: Yes, you can be overweight and metabolically healthy. At the same time, we know that obesity is a disease that affects the body in many different ways. Thirteen types of cancer and 200 other health conditions are related to obesity.