What causes obesity?

What causes obesity

• Refined processed carbohydrates, sodas, sugar, fat filled foods and lack of exercise are the main causes of obesity. However, the major factor is consuming too many refined processed carbohydrates.

• Many overweight people (and many normal weight people) are addicted to refined processed carbohydrates. For a list of refined processed carbohydrates, see the page link, further down this page, listed under Related Questions.

• Lack of energy balance - that is, a chronic excess of energy intake (food and beverage consumption) and not enough energy expenditure (physical activity). Although some people are more genetically susceptible to weight gain than others are, the rapid increase in the prevalence of obesity in recent years has occurred too quickly to be explained by genetic changes alone. Our over-indulgence in refined processed carbohydrates is a major cause of obesity.

• Most experts believe it is due to living in an increasingly obese prone environment - one that promotes over consumption of, and often an addiction to, refined carbohydrate foods such as breads, rolls, cereals, cookies, biscuits, pasta, cakes, pizza, potato chips/crisps, corn chips, etc', and sodas, sugary drinks and all foods with added sugar. Weight gain then limits physical activity, which leads to more weight gain.

• In addition, many obese individuals are insulin resistant (often without being aware of it). People who are insulin resistant will gain weight easily. They will also find it difficult to lose weight. The answer to insulin resistance is to count carbohydrates rather than calories. For information about how to treat obesity and how to avoid obesity, see the related questions, further down this page, listed under Related Questions.