Obesity seems to be an epidemic in today’s world of less exercise and fast, fatty food. It is estimated that 97 million of Americans are currently overweight or at risk of becoming overweight. In addition, obesity has increased over sixty percent over the last ten years.
There are many reasons why people become obese and it is not always his or her fault. In addition, there are several ways for overweight and obese people to lose the weight, with weight loss surgery being the most dramatic and often, most successful.

There are many factors to consider when finding a reason for obesity. Obesity is not a sing that a person is out of control or does not exercise. Heredity and chronic illnesses can cause people to become obese. Even a debilitating injury or handicap can cause obesity. When deciding on ways to treat obesity, it is important to recognize the causes of being overweight in each individual case. This can help the doctor determine what steps to take and what kind of weight loss program is best. For many, weight loss surgery, although usually considered a last resort, can be the big step in changing a person’s life. A person must be morbidly obese and have been overweight for at least five years before being considered for the surgery.

There are many things that can lead to obesity.

• Energy balance is one big reason why many people end up overweight. When a person takes in too much energy from food that is in excess of what the body actually needs, the result is weight gain. These can intake and use of stored energy can vary greatly from person to person depending on their natural metabolism and activity level. In addition, metabolic disorders can cause obesity. When there are changes in the metabolism, or how a body gets energy from food, it can affect the energy balance. Those with low energy balance are more likely to gain excessive weight.

• Another cause of obesity is heredity. Obese parents are more likely to have obese children. That is because people who come from an overweight family are more likely to experience the same lifestyle.

• Social and eating habits can also greatly affect a person’s weight.

• Eating an unbalanced diet, snacking between meals and not getting enough exercise can all affect a person’s weight and lead to obesity. For some, learning how to incorporate healthier eating habits and adding exercise can be difficult. However, it is important for people to realize that these are vital to the success of any weight loss program.

Psychological factors can also lead to excessive weight gain.

When people eat for emotional or social reasons, it is much easier to gain weight. Feeling sad or depressed or experiencing a life-changing event can also lead to obesity. This is one of the leading causes of obesity. After a person has weight loss surgery, doctors often recommend that a person consult with a therapist to deal with these psychological attitudes towards eating.