The simple answer to why anyone is
overweight is more calories consumed
than burned for a long enough time to
build up excess body fat. But what’s the
“why” behind the why? A number of
factors can play a role.
Lifestyle factors.
Eating highcalorie
foods, eating larger
portions, more sedentary jobs, and
increased use of labor-saving
devices can all pack on the pounds.
Genetic factors.
Evidence suggests
that obesity runs in some families,
but the role genes play is unclear.
Scientists believe that obesity is
more likely the result of a complex
interaction between genes and
environment. This means that
although you may have a genetic
predisposition to being overweight,
it’s not fate. Ultimately, your
weight is determined by how you
interact with physical and social
factors.
Psychological factors.
People
sometimes overeat to cope with
problems or to deal with emotions
such as boredom, sadness and
frustration. In some people, a
psychiatric illness called bingeeating
disorder may contribute to
obesity.
Other factors.
These factors may
contribute to weight gain but
generally aren’t enough in and of
themselves to lead to obesity:
Age — As you get older, the
amount of muscle in your body
tends to decrease, lowering
metabolism. In addition, people
tend to be less active as they get
older. Both result in fewer calories
burned.
Stopping smoking — Many
smokers gain some weight after
stopping smoking, but the benefits
of stopping smoking outweigh
whatever health risks may result
from the weight gain.
Pregnancy — Some women may
gain more weight than
recommended during a pregnancy
and may retain it afterward.
Medications and illnesses —
Corticosteroids, tricyclic
antidepressants, anticonvulsants,
insulin and hormones may cause
weight gain. Sometimes, alternative
medications can be used. Only
rarely can obesity can be traced to
an endocrine disorder, such as low
thyroid function or Cushing’s
syndrome. Medical conditions can
sometimes interfere with activity,
making weight gain more likely.
