Are You Curious About The Many Causes of Obesity?

Causes of obesity were unclear to me when I weighed 280 pounds. In fact, whenever I failed at a healthy weight loss diet plan, I convinced myself that there were too many factors outside my control that prevented weight loss. Once I learned the definition of obesity and I understood the causes of obesity, I was able to develop a plan to lose weight permanently.

Simply put, the main cause of obesity is when our calorie intake exceeds our calorie output. Over time, the excess calories lead to weight gain which can lead to obesity. As a general rule, 3500 calories equals one pound of fat. Eating 500 extra calories daily can lead to a one pound weight gain over a week's time (7 days times 500 calories daily equals 3500 calories or 1 pound). If we continue to eat these extra calories daily, the excess is stored as fat which leads to weight gain and obesity.

Other factors can lead to obesity. Specific causes of obesity include genetics, environmental, social and behavioral factors.

Genetics, the "blueprint" for our bodies that are passed on from generations before us, determine the basics of our weight. Resting metabolic rate and our bone and muscle structures are part of our genetic makeup that contributes to the size of our bodies and how efficiently we use calories (energy source). While genetics may be out of our control, there are things we can do to alter our resting metabolic rate including exercise such as strenght training, which helps us build muscle. Muscle burns more calories than fat.

Environmental and social factors are specific causes that often go together. Environmental factors include your home and work place. Driving to work rather than walking and the lack of resources to prepare and store healthy weight loss foods are examples of environmental factors that may contribute to excess body fat and lead to obesity.

Social factors include cues from family and friends. Examples of social factors are the expectation to overeat at a party and holiday traditions that include rich calorie-laden foods.

Oftentimes, we learn our eating habits from our parents during our upbringing, which links the environmental and social factors together.

Behavioral factors include the choices we make. Some of the choices I made that led to my weight problem included eating out rather than following my weight loss eating plan, watching television instead of doing my weight loss workout and emotional eating.

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