What Are the Major Causes of Obesity and Weight Gain? Explained by Doctors

Obesity is one of the most common health problems in the world. Learn What Are the Major Causes of Obesity and being overweight.

Obesity is a very serious issue in the United States, and it’s getting worse every day. If you’re looking for the major causes of obesity explained by doctors, you’ve come to the right place! Here are the main reasons why people gain weight:

Too Much Sugar in Your Diet

First, let’s talk about how much sugar is too much. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), most people should limit their added sugar to 6 teaspoons (24 grams) per day. The AHA also recommends limiting your intake of calories from added sugars. AHA suggests:

• no more than 100 calories a day or about 6 teaspoons (24 grams) for women and
• 150 calories a day or 9 teaspoons (36 grams) for men.

But what exactly is “added sugar”? This includes the white granulated stuff you use in baking or putting on cereal. However, it also includes foods sweetened with other sugars such as high fructose corn syrup or honey. So if you’re trying to reduce your added sugar intake, watch out for anything containing any type of sweetener other than plain old table sugar! Here are some examples:

• Candy
• Soft drinks (that means soda pop)
• Fruit juices & fruit drinks that don’t state “100% fruit juice” or “100% fruit drink” on the label

Lack of Sleep

According to the National Sleep Foundation, getting the right amount of sleep is vital for your overall health. It even plays a role in weight loss.

When you get enough sleep at night, your body has time to repair itself from the day’s activities. This means you’ll be more likely to lose weight if you also eat well and exercise regularly. Additionally, research shows that not getting enough sleep may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. It can lead to heart attack or stroke, diabetes, and obesity.

Sugary Drinks

Sugary drinks are the third leading cause of obesity. The main culprits are carbonated soft drinks and fruit juices, which can be found in abundance in your average supermarket. They’re high in calories and have no nutritional value whatsoever.

In fact, sugary drinks have been linked to diabetes and heart disease, as well as some types of cancer. The World Health Organization has even labeled them “liquid candy.”

Eating Too Fast

Eating too fast is one of the major causes of obesity and weight gain. When you eat quickly, your digestive system has less time to work its magic. This means your body does not get the full nutrients it needs, leading to weight gain and obesity.

Another major cause of obesity and weight gain is sedentary lifestyles. Sitting down all day long affects your whole body – not just your stomach – and can increase your risk for obesity and other health problems. Studies have shown that people who sit for more than six hours a day are three times as likely to be obese as those who sit for less than two hours a day.

And finally, there’s the matter of genetics. Some people are simply born with a higher propensity for obesity and weight gain, no matter what they do or how much they try to avoid it. However, there are ways to reduce your risk for obesity and weight gain if you do have an inclination towards them. You can start by making healthy food choices rich in nutrients, avoiding processed foods and sugars, participating in regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, etc.

Lack of Exercise

Many factors contribute to obesity and weight gain, but one of the main drivers is lack of exercise.

Exercise not only helps you lose weight, but it also has several other health benefits. For example, it can improve your mood, cognitive function, cardiovascular health, joint health and even fertility! Some experts believe that getting enough exercise is more important than diet to prevent obesity and weight gain.

The good news is that there’s no need to go out and do hours of cardio or weight-lifting daily. You can definitely fit in without spending a fortune on gym memberships or personal training sessions. You just need to find something that works for you and stick with it. There are plenty of easy ways to get started – like walking or running at a brisk pace for 30 minutes daily. It might not sound like much, but over time this will add up and help you lose weight faster than you ever thought possible!

Lack of Physical Activity

• Lack of physical activity is a major cause of obesity. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as many as 150 million Americans are overweight or obese, at risk for developing health conditions like diabetes and heart disease. To prevent yourself from becoming overweight or obese, it’s important to maintain a healthy weight through physical activity.
• Physical activity can help you lose weight, maintain weight, and prevent weight gain. Research shows that regular physical activity can lead to a reduced risk of weight gain over time; however, there are no studies indicating that being physically active will cause someone who is already overweight or obese to shed pounds quickly enough for noticeable results—in other words: don’t expect your first treadmill session at the gym will immediately make you look like Dwayne Johnson (though it may help).

Unhealthy Diet

The second major cause of obesity is an unhealthy diet. This can happen when people eat too much of the wrong things or don’t eat enough healthy food. Eating too much sugar, sodium and fat are all examples of eating an unhealthy diet. The main culprits are foods like chips, cookies, soda, and fast meals with a high-calorie count.

While you’ve probably heard about the importance of eating less sugar in your diet to prevent obesity, it’s also important to know just how much sugar is actually in these foods so you’ll know what to avoid if you’re trying to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight:

• One teaspoon (4g) = 16 calories
• One tablespoon (16g) = 48 calories
• One cup (200g) = 240 calories

Genetics

The first major cause of obesity is genetics. Genetics have inherited traits passed on to offspring, affecting how the body processes food. Genes may be passed on from parents or grandparents, depending on whether the genes are dominant or recessive.

Environmental Factors

You’re probably aware of the fact that environmental factors are factors that affect your weight. Environmental factors can be as simple as the temperature in your home or workplace, such as what you eat and drink, how much physical activity you get, and even where you live.

The problem with these environmental factors is that they can sometimes be hard to control. For example, if there aren’t many healthy food options in your neighborhood, it will be difficult for someone trying to lose weight in this area.

However, there are some actions we can take when it comes to our environment if we want an easier time achieving our goals. For instance:

• You could skip any meals out with friends/family members who order unhealthy foods because knowing that they’re going around ordering greasy pizza might discourage you from eating anything at all while they’re there (and maybe even make you feel guilty about not ordering something).

Low-Calorie Intake and Decreased Energy Expenditure

The first step to losing weight is understanding the equation of calories in vs. calories out. Your body needs a certain number of calories each day to function properly, and if you consume more than that number through food, your body will begin storing the excess fat. To lose weight, you want to expend more energy than you take in so that what gets stored as fat isn’t too much for your body’s needs; this can be achieved by increasing exercise or reducing calorie intake (or both).

To calculate how many calories you should eat per day for weight loss (or gain), it’s necessary to estimate your basal metabolic rate (BMR). Your BMR represents how many calories are required just to sustain bodily functions like breathing and heartbeat. At the same time, at rest without any physical activity occurring beyond those basic processes—so think about sitting on the couch watching TV after work instead of going out for dinner. You can find online calculators that will help determine this estimate based on factors like age, gender, and height/weight ratio; once it’s established, how many additional daily dietary calories will be needed for weight loss or gain goals relative to BMR levels determined above:

• Weight loss: Subtract 500 from current body mass index (BMI) reading – 1 = x amount less than actual BMR required per day
• Maintenance: Add 500 from current BMI reading + 1 = x amount greater than actual BMR required per day

Insulin Resistance, Impaired Glucose Tolerance, and Diabetes

Insulin resistance is when the body’s cells stop responding to insulin. This means your blood glucose levels can rise, leading to type 2 diabetes if not treated.

Insulin is a hormone that helps convert sugar into energy and store it in our bodies as fat if we have too much of it. When you have high insulin levels, your body has more sugar than it needs, so you store fat instead of burning any extra calories.

The most common way to treat insulin resistance is by changing your diet and exercising regularly. So if you’ve been diagnosed with this condition, make sure you see an expert who will be able to recommend specific steps for getting better!

Lack of Sleep

A lack of sleep is a major cause of obesity. Sleep deprivation can lead to increased appetite and decreased energy expenditure, causing weight gain. Sleep loss also causes hormonal changes that increase hunger and reduce your body’s ability to burn fat. If you’re suffering from insomnia or other sleep disorders, it’s important to talk to your doctor so they can help you find the right treatment method for you.

The body needs sleep to function properly—without it, metabolic changes make weight gain more likely. During deep sleep (which happens during the first three stages), growth hormone is released into your bloodstream; this hormone helps build muscle mass and regulate blood sugar levels by breaking down fat stores in the body so they can be used as fuel when active hormones such as epinephrine are released during periods of wakefulness while REM (rapid eye movement) takes place with dreams occurring during stage four just before waking up again. The brain also releases serotonin during REM which helps regulate moods.

Stress, Depression, and a Sedentary Lifestyle

Stress and depression can cause overeating, leading to weight gain. Feeling stressed or depressed, you might also be less inclined to exercise and sleep well. This can perpetuate the cycle of stress, overeating, lack of physical activity, and weight gain.

Some forms of stress are unavoidable—but if you notice that your daily life is filled with more negative experiences than positive ones (for example, you get into arguments with friends often), it’s time to start making changes to get back on track mentally. One way people cope with negative emotions is through eating comfort foods; this will only lead to more weight gain in the long run if these habits aren’t changed either!

If you’ve tried everything else but still find yourself struggling with obesity-related issues despite all your efforts thus far—seek help from a professional counselor or therapist who specializes in these matters! The sooner they begin working with their patients toward healthier lifestyles; full stop means less time spent trying futilely against nature’s course before eventually giving up altogether because nothing seems possible anymore due…

A combination of an unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity, environmental factors, genetics, and stress are the major causes of obesity.

All of these factors contribute to obesity, and the causes are different for each person. Some people are genetically predisposed to obesity, while others risk becoming obese because of their environment. For example, being overweight when you’re a child can lead to other health problems later in life, including heart disease and diabetes. If someone is overweight as an adult, they may also experience joint pain and depression due to a lack of confidence or self-esteem.

Conclusion

This article was written to understand better what causes obesity and how it affects your body. Hopefully, this will help you make healthier choices for yourself and your family.

Find out the major causes of obesity explained by doctors

Obesity is somewhat of a modern problem. It’s not that people used to be naturally thinner, but certain foods and activities have been introduced in recent years that may contribute to obesity.

The major causes of obesity include the following:

• Eating more calories than you burn
• Drinking too much alcohol
• Eating greasy foods that contain excess fats and oils (e.g., French fries)
• Consuming fast food like burgers or pizza regularly

Conclusion

In conclusion, obesity is a serious condition that can have long-term health effects if left untreated. It is important for you to work with your doctor to find the best treatment options for your particular case of obesity.

Alexios Papaioannou

Alex is a passionate fitness enthusiast dedicated to helping people lead healthier, more active lifestyles. He encourages small – sustainable changes over drastic transformations and works with people to create customized wellness plans. His mission is to help others benefit from the most effective methods available, sharing tips, strategies, and health & fitness tools on Gearuptofit.com to inspire people to live their best lives.