Causes of Obesity
Although people with obesity are often labeled as “inactive” or “sedentary,” those labels are unjust and inaccurate. Science has proven that obesity is a disease, and there is a mix of causes that is far more complex than simply overeating or a lifestyle that is too sedentary.
At our Institute, we treat the whole person, and we know all too well that obesity isn’t simple. Dr. Lutfi has dedicated his career to helping people become healthier and improve their quality of life through weight loss surgery and lifestyle changes. He has the utmost respect for all of his patients, and the joy of his practice is seeing people happier because they both feel and look better.
Medical science has pinpointed a few common factors that contribute to obesity, but these are multifaceted and not exhaustive:
- Hereditary factors/genetics
- Medical problems and medications
- Environment
- Diet and exercise habits
- Body function
Hereditary Factors/Genetics
While not everyone who is obese inherited it from their parents, it is common for the issue to be handed down within families. Your genes can affect how you burn calories, how much fat your body stores, and even where fat is stored on your body. Therefore, the genetic component cannot be denied, even though there is still a great deal for us to learn about how this works.
To complicate matters further, environmental factors may affect how your genes behave. The study of this phenomenon is called epigenetics.
Sleep Problems and Medications
In some cases, certain medications can attribute to weight gain. Additionally, poor sleep habits can affect the amount you weigh.
Exercise Habits
In general, none of us are as active as we were in our teenage years and we therefore burn fewer calories throughout the day, which can attribute to weight gain. Additionally, with work, family, and friend obligations, we tend to put exercise last on our priority list.
Both injuries and chronic diseases like arthritis can also force people to become more sedentary.
Body Function
You may know some very thin people who eat a lot and some overweight people who never seem to overeat. This is because each of us has our own metabolism, and our bodies process food differently. Digestion and assimilation of nutrients requires a lot of steps in the body, and if any part of the process functions less than optimally, it can cause an individual to gain weight. This is one of the many reasons why it’s unfair to assume an overweight person simply eats too much or never exercises.
Furthermore, your body becomes accustomed to its weight and believes it’s healthy to stay at that weight. When you begin to lose pounds and fat, your body automatically lowers your metabolism in an effort to make sure you survive.
Dietary Habits
There’s no question that how much you eat will have an effect on your weight. But what you eat also matters, and eating more slowly can help you eat less.
For example, if you eat a diet high in calories, fat, and sugars, rather than lean meats and healthy fruits and vegetables, you will have a tendency to carry more weight. While dietary changes can be difficult, most people find that their tastes change as they adjust to the new way of eating.
Personalized Attention
We provide approachable, highly individualized, personal attention to all patients. You meet Dr. Lutfi right away, and he’s available to you throughout your weight loss journey, including long after surgery. He’s dedicated to helping you change your life for the better.
Contact us today to find out about Dr. Lutfi’s comprehensive Obesity & Bariatric Program.