Obesity is a complex health problem for which there is not a single cure or a single cause. Obesity is influenced by a number of factors. Here are the top 10 causes.
- Lack of energy balance - In most cases, obesity is caused by lack of energy balance. In order to maintain weight, it is important that a person burns the same amount of calorie that he has consumed. However, to be able to lose weight, a person has to burn more calories than he has consumed. It is very important to keep a balance between the amount that has been taken in and the amount that has been taken out. If you have taken in more than you are able to take out, you are at a serious risk of*gaining weight and ending up being obese.
- Lethargy - Today, most of the American population lead an active lifestyle. This is another major cause of obesity in USA. These days, instead of walking to the nearby shop, most people take their cars. Instead of using the stairs, they take the elevator. All these things make people's lifestyle inactive which leads to health problems including obesity.
- Environmental factors - The environment we live in today does not support healthy living. Some examples include lack of affordable gyms, not having enough area for sidewalks, parks, busy work schedules, oversized food portions, lack of healthy food options, etc.
- Family History - Genes play an important role on the weight of a person. As a matter of fact, certain health conditions including obesity tends to run in families. If your family has a history of being overweight, chances are that you may be obese as well.
- Health conditions - Hypothyroidism and polycystic ovarian syndrome can cause obesity.
- Medicines - There are certain types of medicines that can cause obesity. These include antidepressants, seizure medicines, etc.
- Sleep deprivation - If you are deprived of sleep, there are chances of you becoming overweight. According to studies, it has been found that a person who sleeps less prefers eating unhealthy food or foods which are high in carbohydrates and calories. This can lead to overeating and as a result weight gain.
- Stress - Stress causes a number of health problems including being overweight. When people are stressed or angry, they tend to eat more and this can lead to overeating and obesity.
- Quit Smoking - When people quit smoking, their metabolic rate decreases. When this happens, their body is unable to burn calories faster and it can lead to gaining more weight.
- Pregnancy - Many women gain weight during pregnancy and find it difficult to lose weight after giving birth. This can lead to being overweight, especially if you have given birth few times.
