Treating any health problem depends on knowing the reason behind it, which applies to obesity as well. Knowing the reason behind weight gain may be the first step in treating it. For many years, it was believed that wrong eating habits were the only reason that leads to obesity. The truth is that they are actually one of the main causes of obesity, but they are not the only reason. Rather, the most recent conclusion indicated by research is that obesity is a complex condition caused by many factors, which we learn about through the article, so keep reading.

What are the causes of obesity?

Obesity, as we mentioned, is usually blamed on wrong eating behaviors, or in other words, eating too much food. Despite the health implications of this matter, unhealthy eating habits are one of the causes of obesity, but they are not the only factor, as there are many people who suffer from obesity, even with a lack of food intake.

Researchers are still discovering the exact causes behind obesity, however, there is no denying that certain lifestyle habits have a significant impact on obesity, and it is believed that an imbalance between food intake and burning rate is one of the biggest contributors to weight gain.

According to studies, the causes of obesity in general may be one or more of the following:

• Eating unhealthy foods: It is the main contributor to obesity, as research has linked eating foods with a high calorie content, which are rich in saturated fats and refined sugars, to weight gain and obesity.
• Sedentary lifestyle: Spending most of the time without physical activity, as is the case with children and teenagers, in front of phone and television screens, means burning fewer calories, which in turn leads to the accumulation of fat and the occurrence of obesity and its problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and others.
• Lack of sleep: Unexpectedly, studies have shown that lack of sleep is a major factor in the occurrence of obesity, as sleep deprivation affects hormones related to appetite.
• Psychological pressure and stress: Over time, stress can cause weight gain and obesity. 
• Genetic factors: It is the second main culprit after wrong eating habits associated with obesity.
• Side effects of some medications: Obesity may be associated with taking some medications, most notably antidepressants, antiepileptics, antipsychotics, diabetes medications, beta blockers, and birth control pills.

Causes of morbid obesity

In addition to the previous reasons, many medical conditions may contribute to excess body weight and obesity, and these problems usually affect hormones that are involved in the metabolism process and appetite regulation.

Common causes of morbid obesity include:

• • Hypothyroidism: It is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not secrete enough of its hormones into the body, which leads to low energy levels and weight gain, which may lead to obesity.
  • Cushing's syndrome: Cushing's syndrome is caused by an increase in the hormone cortisol in the body.

• Insulin resistance: Insulin resistance leads to High blood sugar levels, which may lead to weight gain and type 2 diabetes. 

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Causes of obesity in women

The incidence of obesity is higher in women than in men, and according to statistics, the obesity rate in women is approximately three times higher than in men.

The causes of obesity in women can be one or more of the factors we mentioned and may also include: 

• Polycystic ovary syndrome: It is a syndrome that leads to the appearance of cysts on the ovaries in addition to hormonal changes, such as insulin resistance and an increase in androgen hormones. These hormonal changes are associated with weight gain and obesity.
• menopause: Low estrogen levels during menopause may cause weight gain. 
• Eating fast foods: Working mothers in particular may have an unhealthy eating pattern. With work and daily tasks at home, preparing a healthy meal becomes not an easy task, which makes fast food the available solution, which is linked to problems such as weight gain, high cholesterol levels, and others.
• Anxiety and depression: Rates of anxiety and depression are higher in women than in men due to hormonal changes, burdens and responsibilities, as well as the emotional nature of the female.
• Pregnancy and childbirth: Pregnancy is accompanied by major hormonal changes, which cause changes in body shape and may lead to obesity.
• Taking birth control pills: Contraceptives do not cause weight gain directly, but as a result of their side effects, as they cause an increase in the level of estrogen, which in turn leads to fluid retention.

Causes of obesity in men

The causes of obesity in men are no different from what we mentioned previously, but the following factors may increase their weight gain:

• تناول كمية أكبر من الطعام: Men tend to eat larger amounts of food than women.
• Sitting for long periods at a desk: Office work that requires sitting for long periods is perhaps one of the most important causes of weak abdominal muscles and the accumulation of fat in the abdomen and waist, or as it is popularly known as “belly” in men.
• Male hormone deficiency: A decrease in testosterone levels is the reason behind weight gain in some men, which occurs either for pathological reasons or naturally with age.
• Smoking: Although smoking does not directly cause obesity, it does cause a variety of health problems that may be associated with obesity, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol, and insulin resistance.

What is the reason for gaining weight without eating?

As we explained, eating a large amount of food is not the only factor associated with weight gain. Rather, a significant percentage suffer from obesity even with a lack of food intake, and this may be due to:

• Food quality: Even if you eat small amounts of food, its quality may have a significant impact on weight gain.
• Medical conditions: Such as those we mentioned above of hypothyroidism, Cushing's syndrome, insulin resistance and others.
• Getting older: People usually gain some weight as they age, as the rate of burning slows down and muscle mass decreases, and as the level of physical activity decreases, fat begins to accumulate.
• Side effects of some medications.
• Stress and anxiety.
• Not getting enough sleep.
• Genetic factors.

After we reviewed the various causes of obesity, the main way to avoid weight gain is to avoid those causes, then consult a doctor to ensure that there is no medical problem that prevents weight loss, and develop an appropriate diet that helps lose excess kilograms in a healthy way.