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Obesity Causes: What is the
problem?
 All
obesity causes basically get down to the fact that there is an imbalance between
calories in and calories out. However, the various obesity causes may differ
significantly from one person to another. Genetic, psychological and
environmental factors have all been identified as being some of the major causes
of obesity.
Obesity
causes related to genetic factors:
Genetic factors have
frequently been identified as a major cause of obesity. Also, it is frequently
noted that families also share lifestyle and diet habits that may contribute to
an individual being overweight. Separating these lifestyle issues from genetic
factors is often very difficult. However, science continues to show that there
is frequently some type of hereditary connection.
One study in which adults
were adopted as children were found to have weights closer to their biological
parents than to their adoptive parents. In these cases, an individual’s genetic
makeup was considered to have more of an influence as an obesity cause than the
environment.
Obesity
causes: Environmental factors
While it does seem to have
some genetic connection, genes do not predestine an individual to being
overweight. It is frequently noted that environment also has a very strong
influence on obesity. Some of the lifestyle factors include the type of diet
that an individual eats as well as their level of physical activity. Americans
frequently choose taste and convenience ahead of nutrition, and have a tendency
to eat very high fat foods. Also, most Americans do not get near enough
physical exercise.
Although there is not a lot
that you can do to change your genetic makeup, you can change your lifestyle and
eating habits. Some of the following techniques have helped some people lose
weight as well as to keep it off:
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You should learn to choose
nutritious foods that are low in fat.
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You should also learn to
control as well as recognize environmental cues (such as appetizing smells)
that make you want to eat even when you’re not hungry.
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Become more physically
active.
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You should keep records of
your food intake as well as your physical activity.
Psychological causes of obesity:
There are several
psychological factors involved in some individuals being overweight. It has
been noted in the popular media, that many people eat in response to negative
emotions such as sadness, boredom, and anger.
Most experts believe that
overweight people do not have any more psychological problems than people who
are of average weight. Still, up to about 10% of people who are mildly obese
and who try to lose weight through commercial weight-loss programs and other
techniques, may have a binge eating disorder. This disorder may be even more
common among people who are severely obese.
When a person has a binge
eating episode, they eat large amounts of food and feel that they cannot control
the amount they have eaten. Individuals with the most severe problems with
binge eating are also likely to have symptoms of depression or low self-esteem.
They may have a significantly more difficult time losing weight and keeping it
off than people without binge eating problems. If you think you have a binge
eating problem, you should seek help from a health professional such as your
doctor, psychiatrist, psychologist or a clinical social worker.
Other obesity causes:
Some obesity causes may be
related to physical illnesses. These may include hypothyroidism, Cushing’s
syndrome, depression, and certain neurological problems that can lead to
overeating. Also there are certain drugs such as steroids and some
antidepressants that may lead to a weight gain. Doctors can usually tell if
there are underlying medical conditions related to specific obesity causes.
Information
From The Johns Hopkins Medical Guide to Health After 50
Additional Information and
webpage
by
Paul Susic
MA
Licensed Psychologist Ph.D. Candidate
(Health and Geriatric Psychologist)
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