Obesity happens when you have excess fat in the body, distributed in an unhealthy way. Excess fat in the body puts a lot of pressure on organs and bones. It also leads to complicated metabolism issues, hormonal changes, and inflammation. If your body mass index is above 30, you are classified as obese. Unfortunately, there are several health risks linked to obesity. Such include;
- Diabetes
- Gout
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- High blood pressure
- Osteoarthritis
- Cancer
- Sleep apnea
- Depression
However, not everyone with obesity has the above health conditions. This is a complex problem that comes as a result of different causes. In that case, it is advisable to lose weight to avoid suffering from the above conditions. If you have tried losing weight on your own and have not been successful, trying medical weight loss can be a good idea. Professionals created this program to help individuals with problems lose weight. The following are the leading causes of obesity.
- Excess Calorie Intake
The main culprit of obesity is excess calorie intake. An average man requires about 2,500 calories daily to maintain a healthy weight, while a woman needs 2000 calories. It is crucial to understand calories to know the best way to take them and the primary sources. If you consume a lot of calories and don’t use up with physical activities, the body stores the excess fat, leading to obesity.
- Poor Diet
Lifestyle and diet also contribute to being overweight. For instance, eating large amounts of fast and processed food leads to high fat and sugar intake. You may also risk getting obese if you consume too much alcohol since it contains high calories. Other poor dieting habits include drinking excess sugary drinks and overeating. Today, it isn’t easy to maintain a healthy diet with all the foods with high calories advertised. However, being picky with what you eat and eating a balanced diet will help prevent obesity.
- Genes
Sometimes you can become obese because someone in your bloodline has the condition. Some people have genes that influence how their bodies process food into energy and store fat. Such genes can be inherited from the parents, like high appetite. Such a habit can make it difficult to lose weight.
- Medical Causes
Obesity can also occur due to medical reasons. For instance, a condition like Cushing’s syndrome can contribute to being overweight. It is essential to have these conditions diagnosed and treated since they pose a hindrance to weight loss.
- Lack of Physical Activity
If you consume a lot of calories, it is recommendable to engage in physical activities to ensure you use up the excess energy. Lack of physical activity leads to obesity when the unused energy is converted into fat. For instance, many office workers spend much time behind their desks and may rely on cars for transportation. Staying active by exercising, walking, or indulging yourself in other physical activities like cycling is crucial.
Bottom Line
Obesity can affect your mental and physical health, hence the need to lose weight. Begin with simple steps to manage your health and prevent various health conditions linked to obesity. If you don’t know where to begin, your doctor may recommend medical weight loss as a treatment method.
