Causes of Obesity

You know you are obese and not just overweight when your bodyweight is 20 percent or more above the normal weight for your height. The most common way to measure obesity is the BMI or body mass index. You are overweight if your BMI lies between 25 and 29.9. If your BMI is over 30, you are obese, and it is high time you start doing something about it. However, before you take measures to get back into shape, you need to know what causes of your obesity might be. Obesity basically occurs when you start consuming more calories than you burn. For most people, the reason for their obesity is a combination of lack of exercise and eating too much. But there are certain other factors that lead to obesity as well. ØAge: As one gets older, the body’s ability to metabolize food slows down. Also, as one ages, the amount of calories required to maintain your weight also decreases. This is why quite a few people often notice that although they eat the same quantity of food and are involved in the same amount of physical activity as they did 20 years earlier, they gain weight as they reach their 40s. ØGender: Compared to men, women tend to gain more weight. This is because men have a higher rest metabolism rate (i.e., they burn more calories at rest) and require more calories to maintain their weight as compared to women. Additionally, after women hit menopause, their metabolism rate slows down, leading to more weight gain. ØGenetics: Obesity in a person is also affected by hereditary factors. According to studies, if your biological mother was heavy as an adult, there are about 75 percent chances that you will be heavy too. However, do not be disheartened if you feel your genes have doomed you to obesity. Many people who have high chances of becoming obese because of genetic factors may not become obese or may lose weight successfully. ØEnvironmental Factors: Environmental factors also have an affect on obesity. Environmental factors will include lifestyle habits, such as what and how much a person eats, whether the diet is balanced and how active the person is. Keep these things in mind before you begin your efforts to lose weight. Knowing what factors are responsible for your obesity can help you lose weight more successfully.