There are numerous causes for obesity and morbid obesity. These include:

Diet vs. Physical Activity: Consuming more calories from food than expending with physical activity results in weight gain from the stored calories. To maintain a healthy weight balance, you should only consume the necessary amounts of calories needed to support your physical activity level.

Heredity: There are scientific studies that have proven that there can be a link between obesity and heredity. However, many times, it is difficult to distinguish if family-related obesity is due to genetic factors or shared diet and lifestyle habits.

Lifestyle Habits: There are many lifestyle aspects that can negatively affect your weight. Hectic and stressful lifestyles, lack of routine physical exercise and lack of sleep can all contribute to obesity. Choosing to eat out, order “take-out” and purchase foods from vending machines encourages the consumption of larger meals, foods high in fat and foods lower in nutritional value. Plus, spending significant amounts of time using electronic-based entertainment (i.e. TV, video games, Internet, etc.) results in the enjoyment of more stationary activities.

Medical Conditions: There are several illnesses that are associated with, and may lead to, weight gain. These include:

• Hypothyroidism – a condition in which the thyroid gland fails to produce enough thyroid hormone. This hormone is needed to manage metabolism. Metabolism converts the fuel from food into energy. A lower metabolic rate can result in fatigue, weight gain and depression. Click here for the National Institutes of Health’s detailed explanation of Hypothyroidism.
• Cushing’s syndrome (or hypercortisolism) – a condition in which the thyroid gland fails to produce enough thyroid hormone. This hormone is needed to manage metabolism. Metabolism converts the fuel from food into energy. A lower metabolic rate can result in fatigue, weight gain and depression. Click here for the National Institutes of Health’s detailed explanation of Cushing’s syndrome.
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) – a condition in which the thyroid gland fails to produce enough thyroid hormone. This hormone is needed to manage metabolism. Metabolism converts the fuel from food into energy. A lower metabolic rate can result in fatigue, weight gain and depression. Click here for the National Institutes of Health’s detailed explanation of PCOS.

Medications: Certain types of drugs — including steroids, antidepressants and medications for psychiatric conditions or seizure disorders — may cause weight gain. These medications can potentially result in a slower metabolism, increased appetite or water retention. If a prescribed medication is causing unwanted weight gain, consult your physician.

Click here to learn more about the health issues and diseases that can be brought on by obesity.