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Q.

What causes obesity?

Related Topics: Obesity
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A.

Obesity occurs when a person consumes more calories than he or she burns. For many people, this boils down to eating too much and exercising too little. But other factors also play a role:


  • Age. As you get older, your body's ability to metabolize food slows down and you do not require as many calories to maintain your weight.
  • Gender. Women have a lower resting metabolic rate than men and tend to be more overweight. Additionally, many women gain weight when their metabolic rate decreases after menopause.
  • Genetics. Obesity (and thinness) tends to run in families.
  • Environmental factors. These may include lifestyle behaviors such as what a person eats and how active he or she is.
  • Physical activity. Active individuals require more calories than less active ones to maintain their weight.
  • Psychological factors. Many people eat in response to negative emotions such as boredom, sadness, or anger.
  • Illness. Some illnesses can cause obesity, including hormone problems such as hypothyroidism (poorly acting thyroid slows metabolism), depression, and some rare diseases of the brain that can lead to overeating.
  • Medication. Certain drugs, such as steroids and some antidepressants, may cause excessive weight gain.

This answer should not be considered medical advice...down arrowThis answer should not be considered medical advice and should not take the place of a doctor’s visit. Please see the bottom of the page for more information or visit our Terms and Conditions.up arrow

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