What are the causes of obesity?

genetic causes

A person can become obese if one or both of his parents suffer from it, as genetic factors affect the hormones responsible for regulating fat in the body. For example, leptin deficiency is one of the genetic causes of obesity, and leptin is a hormone that is produced in fat cells and in the placenta. Its function is to control weight by sending signals to the brain to reduce food intake when the body’s fat reserve is high. Thus, the body becomes more vulnerable to obesity when it loses its ability to produce sufficient quantities of this hormone, or when the hormone loses its ability to send signals to the brain. To reduce food consumption.

Taking certain types of medications

Certain types of medications contribute to obesity, such as: medications used to treat depression, anticonvulsants used to control seizures, some diabetes medications, and some hormones such as oral contraceptive medications, some high blood pressure medications, and antihistamines.

Excessive sugar intake

Added sugar is the worst aspect of the modern diet, as excessive sugar consumption leads to changing the hormones and biochemistry of the body, and thus weight gain. Added sugar is half glucose and half fructose, and the body gets its need of glucose from a variety of foods, while it comes from Most fructose is added sugar, so consuming large amounts of fructose leads to insulin resistance, and it does not enhance feelings of fullness like glucose does, which leads to increased energy storage and obesity.

Other causes of obesity

There are other causes of obesity, including the following:

• Inactivity and lack of sporting activities.
• Unhealthy diet and eating habits.
• Aging, as a result of hormonal changes, a less active lifestyle, and a decrease in muscle mass with age, which causes a decrease in the metabolic rate.
• pregnancy.
• Quit Smoking.
• Lack of sleep.
• The effect of psychological factors on eating habits, as the desire to eat excessively increases in many people when they feel bored, stressed, sad, or angry.
• Fast food is available everywhere, at a lower price than healthy foods.