Cause and Effect

Obesity

Obesity occurs when your body consumes more calories than it burns. In the past, many people thought that obesity was simply caused by overeating and under-exercising, resulting from a lack of will power and self-control. Although these are significant contributing factors, doctors recognize that obesity is a complex medical problem that involves genetic, environmental, behavioural, and social factors. All these factors play a role in determining a person's weight.

Recent research shows that in some cases, certain genetic factors may cause the changes in appetite and fat metabolism that lead to obesity. For a person who is genetically prone to weight gain (e.g., has a lower metabolism) and who leads an inactive and unhealthy lifestyle, the risk of becoming obese is high.

Although a person's genetic makeup may contribute to obesity, it's not the primary cause. Environmental and behavioural factors have a greater influence - consuming excess calories from high-fat foods and doing little or no daily physical activity over the long run will lead to weight gain. Psychological factors may also foster obesity. Low self-esteem, guilt, emotional stress, or trauma can lead to overeating as a means to cope with the problem.

Symptoms and Complications of Obesity

The health risks associated with obesity include:

ü  breathing disorders (e.g., sleep apnea, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)

ü  certain types of cancers (e.g., prostate and bowel cancer in men, breast and uterine cancer in women)

ü  coronary artery (heart) disease

ü  depression

ü  diabetes

ü  gallbladder or liver disease

ü  gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

ü  high blood pressure

ü  high cholesterol

ü  joint disease (e.g., osteoarthritis)

ü  stroke

People who are obese may have the symptoms of the medical conditions mentioned above. High blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, breathing problems, and joint pain (in the knees or lower back) are common. The more obese a person is, the more likely they are to have medical problems related to obesity.

Aside from the medical complications, obesity is also linked to psychosocial problems such as low self-esteem, discrimination, difficulty finding employment, and reduced quality of life.

Source:http://bodyandhealth.canada.com/channel_condition_info_details.asp?channel_id=1055&disease_id=95&relation_id=17519