Obesity is a chronic disease that can be caused by a range of factors.
Factors of Obesity
Factors of Obesity
Obesity is a chronic disease that can be caused by a range of factors.
What contributes to obesity?
The main contributing factors can be classified into environmental and societal (external) and genetic (internal).1-3
Environmental and societal factors4,5
Behaviors conducive to developing obesity can be influenced by societal and environmental factors beyond an individual’s control. For example, availability of healthful food at reasonable prices may influence food purchasing behaviors.
Additionally, availability of recreational spaces may influence a person’s ability or choice to engage in physical activity. Pleasure derived from food palatability can be a powerful driver of overconsumption behavior that can result in an energy imbalance favoring weight gain.
Industrialization
Industrialization causes changes in societal structures, such as food production, food abundance, a decrease in energy expenditure because of sedentary lifestyles, access to modern education, and changes in the role of women4,5
Socioeconomic
High socioeconomic status is negatively correlated with obesity in developed countries, but positively correlated in developing countries4,5
Cultural influences
Cultural influences affect the intake of energy-dense foods that are high in fat, increase in sedentary lifestyles and attitudes toward body image4,5
Societal changes
Societal changes impact behaviors that contribute to weight gain, such as overeating and reduced physical activity4,5
Genetic factors
A person’s genetics may determine the extent to which external or environmental factors impact their weight.6
Numerous studies have shown that 40% to 70% of interindividual differences in BMI are explained by genetic factors.6
