Obesity: What Causes It, The Risks & How to Avoid It

O besity is an excessive amount of body fat or adipose tissue in your body. If you’re 20% above your ideal weight you’re considered to be obese, unless you’re a fitness person and your overweight is formed with body muscle.   A Body Mass Index (BMI) of over 30 indicates an individual is obese.   However, other factors will determine what your recommended BMI should be, such as your weight, high, gender and health status. Click here to find out more about body mass index (BMI) and to use our free BMI calculator.

What Causes Obesity?

Many factors are related to the cause of obesity. These include aging, genetics, inactivity and over eating.

Aging

As you grow older, especially after 40, your body’s metabolism slows down and you’re not required to intake as many calories.   Because of this some people gain weight due to the fact that they keep eating the same as when they were younger without changing their active habits.

Genetics

Genetics plays an important role in obesity.   Individuals with an obese mother have a 70% higher risk of getting obesity.   However, some people who develop obesity genetically are able to successfully lose weight with a good diet regimen and physical exercise.

Inactivity

People who have a light or sedentary activity life are prone to become obese, especially if their calorie intake is much higher than what they burn.

Over eating

Some individuals who find it difficult control their eating habits will become obese.   Sometimes stress plays a big role in making people feel hungry when they don’t need food and as a result they end up over eating.

Health Risks of Obesity

Being obese or overweight has been known to cause health problems and diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer and osteoarthritis and even death.

How To avoid Getting Obese

The combination of a healthy balanced diet low in calories and fat with physical exercise can help prevent or reduce obesity.  In some cases where diet and / or exercise won’t work, it might be recommended to consult a doctor or a professional health nutritionist.  In the worst cases drugs and even surgery might be required.