Question

Why is it important to understand that having overweight or obesity is not just a function of eating unhealthy and not exercising enough? What other factors contribute to elevated weight?

Answer 1

Most of the people blame obesity on unhealthy diet and inactivity.In certain cases there are other factors which can cause overweight.Genetics,hormones,medical conditions,chilhood habits all play a major role in obesity.Overeating is caused by many factors like hormones,stress and lack of sleep. The reasons for  obesity are multiple and complex.Certain people are predisposed to gain weight.Most of times people all over the world are misinformed about obesity.Most of companies promote weightloss supplements which are actually harmful to the body.This is why we should understand not only diet and exercise plays a part in obesity.Each person has different basal metabolic rate. We need to learn other causes of obseity and need to change the ways to treat it.We cannot control our hormones but learning how this hormones work can help us to understand what types of interventions may be needed to manage weight.

Factors which contribute to overweight:

1.Genetics: Certain genetic traits are inherited from our parents and sometimes it can make a person losing weight difficult.Some people are genetically susceptible to weight gain.

2.Medical reasons: Certain disease like hypothyroidism,PCOD,Cushings syndrome  can contribute to weight gain.Certain medicines like corticosteriods ,drugs for epilepsy,antidepressants can cause weight gain.

3.Sleep: Sleep is essential for overall health and well being.People who sleep less eat more.Lack of sleep can cause weight gain.

4.Stress: Chronic stress can affect your weight.High level of stress hormone cortisol increases hunger and in turn we overeat .All this makes us fat.

5.Insulin: Insulin plays a role in obesity.In overweight person there is insulin resistance.This elevates insulin in the body and cause weight gain.