Causes of Obesity

Do you feel hopeless about change Are you more than

100lbs overweight? Do you feel shame about your size and
do not know the causes of Obesity?

Obesity is a complicated disorder. The contributing factors can be

genetic, hormonal, behavioral, environmental, and cultural. Most
people blame themselves

. If you have struggled with Obesity since childhood you have most
likely endured teasing and tormenting from others. This may have
intensely effected yourself worth.

Other people can be extremely insensitive because they have

trouble understanding the causes of obesitiy as well as the
awkwardness and discomfort, as well as shame. Most people do not
know the feeling of not being able to sit in a "regular size chair ,
move around the isles of a grocery store, or have others stare at you
because of your size. Obesity is painful. You may feel stuck at home,
alone, and unable to enjoy a social life.

To help with self blame we are now going to discuss

3 Major Contributing Causes of Obesity

1. Causes of Obesity: Genetics and Biology

Genetically, combinations of differences in genes controlling
appetite and metabolism predispose certain individuals to obesity
when they eat more calories than their bodies need. Other people
without the genetic predisposition can eat similar amounts of food
and may become overweight but not obese. As such, obesity is a
major feature of a number of rare genetic conditions that often
present in childhood.

For example, Cushing's syndrome is a condition in which the body

contains excess amounts of cortisol, a stress hormone. Researchers
have found that in some children associations between growth
hormone and excess cortisol exacerbate insulin resistance which
can contribute to hypoglycemia. It seems that insulin resistance is
due to an overload of glucose over a long period of time. The insulin
receptors in cells are hypothosed not to respond to insulin. The lack
of functioning of the insulin receptors in the membrane of cells, the
blood sugar level rises that results in more insulin being produced,
trying to lower the glucose levels. As a result the child can have an
excess of insulin which is basically hyperglycemia. As a result the
bodies insulin receptors are willing or forced to accept more glucose.
The high insulin and glucose levels bring on a crash in energy level
as well as causing the excess glucose to be stored in the body as
glycogen, These sugars that have no where to go. They become
glycogen and then are converted to fat deposited in fat cells.

Another genetic factor that can play a role in childhood obesity is

the homone Leptin. Leptin is a chemical hormone produced by fat
cells notifies the hypothalamus of the brain degree of hunger the
person is feeling as well as signaling the individual that they have
had enough food.

A metabolic syndrome that contributes to the causes of obesity. The

metabolic syndrome, , is explained as a clusters of illnesses like
high cholesterol and high blood pressure may be directly related to
gene mutations in the energy centers of the cells. It is yet to be
determined if weight gain generates metabolic syndrome or if
metabolic syndrome activates weight gain.

A circumstance that can lead to weight gain is hypothyroidism. This

is a problem with the thyroid. Since the thyroid is not working
properly, it slows the body's metabolism way down, is one of the
important causes of obesity in adults and in children.

Causes of Obesity: Psychatric and Psychological Issues

Bipolar Disorder, Clinical Depression, and various anxity disorders
are leading causes of obesity and eating disorders. One of the main
symptomes in these disorders can be an increase in appetite In
additon, some of the medicines used to treat these disorder can
have a side effect of weight gain others do not have that side effect.
If you notice weight gain from medication contact your physicianTo
change to a weight neutral medication.

Psychological factors are a common cause weight gain in people.

Many people eat when they feel emotionally uncomfortable. At
times some people have no idea of what they are feeling and reach
for food automatcally. In discussing this people find out they eat to
numb feelings of anxiety, anger, sadness and frustration.

2. Causes of Obesity:Social and Cultural

Fast food, processed food, and enriched food seem to be popular

initially in the United States and is now accepted in many countries
around the world.The Advertisements for these foods are
everywhere. These foods are very tempting for parents with very
busy lives who are too tired to cook. So fast food, television or
computer seem to be prodominant in many families.

The occurrence of obesity seems to vary according to socio-cultural

factors. These factors can include socio-economic position, social
roles and cultural elements. differentially distributed. Most cultures
use high fat food for celebrations, customs and
traditions.Inpoverished communities are used to foods high in starch
because they are less expexsive.

In additon, the ways in which various cultures view health, physical

activity, food choices, body image, and self-esteem can be very
different. This can certainly have an effect on the manner in which
obesity is viewed.