What causes people to become obese?

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What causes obesity

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

• Overweight and obesity are the result of a 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. Refined (processed) carbohydrates are a major cause of obesity,

• Most experts believe it is due to living in an increasingly 'obesogenic' environment - one that promotes over consumption of, and often and 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.

• Many overweight people (and many normal weight people) are addicted to refined (processed) carbohydrates.

• In addition, many obese individuals are insulin resistant (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."

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