causes of obesity
Last reviewed 04/2022
Can be considered in terms of:
- genetic factors
- 'medical' (endocrine) causes of obesity
- drug-induced obesity
Notes:
- obesity
in children
- Increasing rates of obesity in children and young adults are
important since the majority of fat children will become fat adults
- patterns
of growth before and after birth have also emerged as being important
- the combination of low birth weight, coupled with excessive weight gain after one year of age is especially hazardous and may account, in part, for the increased rates of coronary heart disease and type-2 diabetes in people of South Asian origin (1)
- patterns
of growth before and after birth have also emerged as being important
- Increasing rates of obesity in children and young adults are
important since the majority of fat children will become fat adults
- the most common cause of obesity is
a combination of excessive calorie intake and reduced physical activity
- "...At its simplest level, obesity is caused when people overeat in relation to their energy needs. At the same time as energy expenditure has dropped considerably, environmental factors have combined to make it increasingly easy for people to consume more calories than they need...(2)”
Reference:
- British Heart Foundation (November 2004). The Causes of obesity.
- Third Report from the Health Committee: Obesity: Session 2003-04:London;House of Commons.