What causes obesity?

Obesity and overweight are increasingly common diseases in our society. They are characterised by an abnormal accumulation of fatty tissue in the body. They represent great health hazards if not treated early on. There are many factors that contribute to obesity. We will discuss some of them in this article.

Eating habits

Diet is the primary cause of obesity and overweight in adults. Uncontrolled eating is an open door to many diseases including obesity. When there is a large imbalance between what we eat and what we expend in calories, the risk of becoming obese is very high. This imbalance, observed over a certain period of time, encourages weight gain. This is why it is important to have a balanced diet. Foods rich in fat, sugar or too much salt are triggers for overweight, especially when eaten in large quantities. Also, not eating at regular times can lead to obesity.

Lack of sleep

Sleep plays a very important role in our well-being. Getting enough sleep at regular hours allows our bodies to regenerate. It is recommended to get 8.5 to 9.15 hours of sleep per day. When you take the risk of sleeping less than 5 hours a day, you are more exposed to obesity and overweight. One of the reasons for this is a sharp increase in ghrelin, a hormone that stimulates appetite. At the same time, the secretion of leptin is reduced. Thus, people who sleep less, are more exposed to obesity than those who have a normal sleep time.

Obesity linked to heredity

While many of the factors that promote obesity and overweight are within your control, there are many others that are less so. A person who has a parent who is obese is much more likely to be obese than someone whose parents are not. Studies have shown that almost 70% of obese people have at least one close relative who suffers from the same condition. So, overweight and obesity are not always your fault. That said, you should avoid certain behaviours that contribute to them.