Obesity is one big health issue globally that needs to be more recognized. It is linked with a number of diseases, such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, high blood sugar levels, and more. Obesity can cause chronic illness and suffering, and even death if not resolved.
Some people chalk down the cause of obesity to a lack of exercise and a lack of discipline and willpower. While it may be true to some extent, that is not the same for all cases of obesity. There are many factors that could get someone into obesity.
In this article, we will talk about the different factors that result in obesity in a person.
1. Genetics
This is very important to know: obesity has a genetic component. That is, if a person has obese parents, then they are also most likely to be obese. However, this does not mean it is not preventable in these cases.
While obesity in the family may affect your metabolism, it can be resolved through proper eating habits. A good diet will be able to help prevent one from becoming obese, given that the only other factor that contributes to them being so is genetics.
2. Medication
If you are taking a specific medication for your maintenance or long-term treatment and you have put on weight, then it is most likely the medicine. These drugs may not necessarily increase your appetite, but rather they have other internal effects.
Some of them may decrease your metabolism rate. This means it would take longer for your body to burn calories and turn to energy, eventually storing it as fat. In these cases, you may want to try talking to your doctor about the side effect and ask for recommendations on what you can do.
3. Hormonal Issues
Hormones play a big role in weight loss and gain. If you have noticed, most people undergo a lot of physical change when their puberty stage begins. They may either shed off their baby fat, or start to retain some weight a little more.
If you suspect that you may have some hormonal issues due to rapid weight gain and retention, then you may try to see a specialist for it. They will be able to help conduct some tests to see whether your obesity is hormone-related, and they will prescribe you some meds to be able to address the issue.
4. Stress
Stress is a great factor in obesity that not many people think about. When a person is undergoing stressful life events or is faced with stressful situations, they may turn to eating as a coping mechanism, which could turn unhealthy fast.
Additionally, stress completely changes our bodily functions for a number of reasons. The environment may be causing a strain on your body, or the stress may completely change up your lifestyle without you even realizing it. This could affect your metabolism and result in your weight gain, and eventual obesity. If dealing with stress, you can also see a professional to help manage it.
Conclusion
Obesity is not simply a lack of willpower and discipline. It could be a number of factors affecting you. There are other reasons and factors that have not been mentioned, but those mentioned above are the main and most common reasons. We recommend that you see a medical professional first for advice when it comes to weight loss and any treatment plans that could help you.
For a certified weight loss clinic in Birmingham, AL, Weigh to Wellness is for you. We are composed of a team of medical experts who will be with you every step of the way on your weight loss journey. Make a difference today by working with us.