One of the biggest problems that people across different parts of the world deal with today is obesity. It’s a condition that’s now linked with other health challenges and is usually called metabolic syndrome. They include elevated blood sugar, poor blood lipid profile, and high blood pressure.

In general, people with metabolic syndrome have a higher risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. This is also a reason why it’s advisable to keep weight within the normal range. You might already be wondering what causes obesity. Continue reading to find out more about the causes of obesity.

Genetics

Genetics is one of the leading causes of obesity because obesity has a strong genetic component. If your parent had obesity, then you are likely to obesity as well. However, this does not completely imply that obesity is predetermined. The type of food you eat is a factor to consider as it influences the genes that are expressed. The best way to put it is that genetic component significantly influences the level to which we gain weight.

Engineered Junk Foods

Processed food is also a factor that causes obesity. They mostly contain refined ingredients together with a few additives, and they are designed to be cheap, long-lasting, and with great tastes. The qualities of processed food make them irresistible, but it’s important to note that consuming an excess of this food can lead to obesity.

Food Addiction

High fat and sugar-sweetened foods have a way of stimulating the brain’s reward centres. We can compare this with the mechanisms in many abused substances like cannabis, nicotine, cocaine, and even alcohol. Basically, junk foods cause addiction, and it’s only a matter of time before an individual loses control and becomes hooked on this food. Ultimately, food consumption becomes extremely high, causing the person to put on so much weight.

Insulin

Insulin is a vital hormone that helps regulate energy storage, and it helps in notifying fat cells when to store fat and hold on to the fat they store. Most western dietstend to promote the level of insulin resistance, especially in people that are prone to obesity. This, in turn, increases the level of insulin in the body, thereby reducing the utilization of fats in the body. The fats will only become accumulated in the body.

Certain Medications

There are also pharmaceutical drugs with side effects that cause one to gain weight. Examples of these drugs include antidepressants, which are known to cause weight gain over time. Other examples include antipsychotics and even diabetes medication. These drugs cause weight gain by reducing metabolic rate, increasing appetite, or altering the function of the brain and body. These are only some of the causes of weight gain and obesity that you should know.