Causes of Obesity
At a personal level, a combination of extreme intake of energy and failure to partake in physical activities is the most common cause of obesity. Most people spend most of their days sitting either at home, school or at the workplace, in this way, they burn very few calories. This is referred to as a sedentary lifestyle. Globally there has been a rise in less physically involved jobs, indeed, statistics show that more than half of the world’s population gets inadequate exercise. Lack of physical activity is caused by mechanized transportation and the automation of numerous job tasks, besides, the rise in labor-saving technologies at home is a major factor contributing to obesity.
The rise in the number of obese persons has also been attributed to poor eating habits caused partly by the ease of access to high-calorie food products such as snacks and other fast foods. Missing breakfast meals, consuming most calories at night, and having excess food amounts also contribute to obesity.
Obesity tends to be hereditary. The genes linked to obesity can move from one family member to the next. However, this is not a major cause, and having an obese family member does not necessarily imply that one will be obese. Obesity has also been linked to sex and age. Since men have more muscles than women, they burn more calories, hence, women are more likely to be obese than men. Older people are also more likely to become obese because they are less active and have fewer muscles.
Certain medications have been known to cause obesity, however, this depends on the genetic make-up of an individual, among other variables. These medications include antidepressants, anti- convulsion prescriptions, birth-control pills, diabetes medications, and steroids. Other causes of obesity include pregnancy, medical conditions such as Prader-Willi syndrome and Cushing’s syndrome, depression, and environmental factors.
Obesity and Race
The prevalence of obesity is rising among all persons in America. However, a disproportionate value for African-Americans and Latinos has been observed (Caprio 2008). This disparity has been partly attributed to racial/ethnic variations in lifestyle and economic factors: African-Americans and Latinos are less endowed economically than whites. Socio-economic status (SES) influences the type of food consumed by an individual, due to their low SES, non-whites are more likely to purchase or consume low-cost but high-calorie and nutrient-poor food materials that are easily available (Sobal and Stunkard, 1989). This is worsened by the price difference between low-nutrient, high-calorie foods and healthier alternatives. Lower-cost food materials constitute a major proportion of the diet of groups with low SES, in this case, African-Americans and Latinos, hence the disparity (Caprio et al, 2008).
Other factors that can explain this disparity include genetic makeup, physiology, lifestyle, and environment.
Medical Conditions Related to Obesity
Obesity is associated with several health disorders. It is one of the leading causes of death globally and reduces life expectancy by nearly six to seven years. Obesity also increases the chances of developing several serious health problems due to an increase in body fats (CDC, 2011). These health problems include:
- Type 2 Diabetes– caused by an increase in blood sugar levels.
- Coronary heart disease– results when coronary arteries are obstructed by fat deposits.
- Hypertension (high blood pressure) – caused when fat deposits clog blood vessels and the heart has to increase the blood pressure so that it can reach other parts of the body (Bray, 2004).
- Stroke– caused when blood supply to the brain is cut.
References
Bray, G. A. (2004). Medical consequences of obesity. Endocrinol. Metab. 89 (6): 2583–9.
Caprio, S., et al. (2008). Influence of Race, Ethnicity, and Culture on Childhood Obesity: Implications for Prevention and Treatment. Diabetes Care, Vol. 31, No. 11, 2211-2221.
CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). (2011). The Health Effects of Overweight and Obesity. Web.
Sobal, J., and Stunkard, A. J. (1989). Socioeconomic status and obesity: A review of the literature. Psychological Bulletin 105 (2): 260–75.