What Causes Obesity?
 There are several schools of thought relating to the cause of obesity. Obesity is primarily caused by an energy imbalance where calorie intake exceeds expenditure. We all need calories to fuel us through the day, however any excess food becomes stored as fat. If physical activity levels increase, fat stores are metabolised and therefore results in weight loss. Achieving a balance that allows suitable weight control is difficult.
The actual cause of obesity is much more complicated as it is determined by the interaction of genetic, sociological, technological, environmental and individual drivers (see Figure A). Research suggests our genes may be responsible for up to 70% of a person’s weight gain (Freathy et al 2008). Genes control for factors such as appetite, satiety (a sense of fullness) and metabolism which are key in balancing our calories in versus calories out. There are very few physical conditions that cause obesity including; Bardet-Biedl syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome and leptin deficiency, all of which are rare. Hypothyroidism and some medications can also lead to weight gain.
Will power and choice are obviously key factors that can determine weight gain. However, the advances seen in transport, IT and technology have meant we generally move around less now and our daily energy expenditure has therefore decreased in recent years.
This, in combination with sedentary lifestyles, increasing portion sizes and a shift towards eating more energy-dense (convenience) foods are all significant contributors. Many of the environmental factors are a by-product of our previously formed eating patterns ingrained in childhood. Therefore, attempts at weight loss in adulthood are harder as these behaviour patterns need to be changed.
All these factors highlight how obesity is multi-factorial making its management so challenging on an individual and national level. Britain is in a transitional state whereby the primary cause of obesity is shifting from an individualistic to a societal problem. People are becoming passive recipients of an increasingly sedentary and automated society in which energy expenditure is being forcefully decreased.
What the team at Streamline Surgical know is that for every patient the causes will be different and personal to them. This is why we provide a bespoke service so that every patient receives the best care and service for them.
Sources:
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Freathy R, Timoson N, Lawlor D et al. Common variation in the FTO gene alters diabetes-related metabolic traits to the extent expected given its effect on BMI. Diabetes 2008;57(5):1419-26 |
Figure A
Diagram Summarising the Main Causes of Obesity
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