What causes obesity?

Written by Tang Zhuo
Endocrinology
Updated on March 15, 2025
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Obesity, also known as adiposis, is a chronic metabolic disease caused by excessive accumulation of fat in the body or abnormal distribution of fat. The causes of obesity are numerous and complex. The exact cause is not clear, but it is believed to include a variety of factors such as genetics and environment, which interact with each other. From the perspective of genetic factors, the probability of developing obesity significantly increases. The second factor, the environment, mainly includes diet and physical activity. Long periods of sitting or lack of sports, and insufficient physical activity can lead to reduced energy expenditure. Poor dietary habits, such as overeating, a preference for sweets or greasy foods, can easily lead to obesity. Thirdly, it can be due to some genetic abnormalities. Fourth, obesity in childhood is also more likely to progress to adult obesity, with more than 50% of individuals who are obese after the age of six developing obesity in adulthood.

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Written by Zhang Jun Jun
Endocrinology
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early symptoms of obesity

The early symptoms of obesity mainly include fatigue, poor appetite, somnolence, and a general lack of energy. The treatment for these symptoms fundamentally involves controlling obesity and reducing body weight. Weight control methods primarily include, firstly, dietary control by choosing low-calorie diets, such as a ketogenic low-carbohydrate diet to help reduce weight. The second method involves exercise; if one does not have conditions like diabetes, hypertension, or hyperlipidemia, they can gradually engage in both aerobic and anaerobic exercises within their capacity. The third option, if diet and exercise prove insufficient, is to consider medication. There are now a series of weight loss drugs approved by national safety and the Food and Drug Administration that can be used. Additionally, in cases of severe obesity, metabolic surgery can be considered to alleviate the symptoms of obesity. (Please use medication under the guidance of a professional physician and do not self-medicate.)

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Written by Tang Zhuo
Endocrinology
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What diseases are people with obesity prone to?

Obesity, also known as adiposis, is a chronic metabolic disease caused by excessive accumulation or abnormal distribution of body fat. It results from the interaction of multiple factors, including genetics and environmental elements. Patients with obesity have a significantly increased incidence of hypertension, coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, sleep apnea, cholecystitis, cholelithiasis, osteoarticular diseases, and certain tumors and cardiovascular diseases are closely related to obesity.

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Written by Tang Zhuo
Endocrinology
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The Harms of Obesity

Mild to moderate primary obesity might not present with noticeable symptoms. However, individuals with severe obesity may experience heat intolerance, reduced physical activity capability, mild shortness of breath during activities, and snoring during sleep. The likelihood of developing coronary heart disease and hypertension is significantly higher in obese individuals compared to those who are not obese. Obesity leads to reduced lung capacity and decreased pulmonary compliance, which can cause various pulmonary functional abnormalities. For instance, obese hypoventilation syndrome, clinically characterized by sleepiness, obesity, and alveolar hypoventilation, often accompanies obstructive sleep apnea. Severe cases of obesity may lead to pulmonary heart syndrome. Obese individuals often experience metabolic disorders of lipids and carbohydrates; lipid metabolism disorders can lead to hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia, while carbohydrate metabolism disorders are marked by glucose intolerance and diabetes. Moreover, obese individuals are more prone to arthritis, gout, and osteoporosis. Sexual dysfunction is common in obese individuals, with some obese men developing gynecomastia; obese girls tend to have an earlier onset of menstruation, while adult women with obesity often experience menstrual disorders, and in severe cases, amenorrhea. The incidence of polycystic ovary syndrome is also significantly higher in obese women compared to non-obese women.

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Written by Tang Zhuo
Endocrinology
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Obesity is formed in what way?

Obesity, also known as adiposity, is a chronic metabolic disorder caused by an excessive accumulation of fat in the body or abnormal fat distribution. The exact causes of obesity are not clear, but it is generally believed to be the result of the interaction of multiple factors including environmental and genetic factors. In terms of environmental factors, there is a tendency for obesity to cluster in families; individuals with one or both parents who are obese have a significantly increased likelihood of being obese themselves. The second factor is environmental influences. Consuming more calories than are expended is the primary cause of obesity. Additionally, sedentary lifestyles, lack of physical exercise, and insufficient physical activity all contribute to reduced energy expenditure, leading to obesity. Poor dietary habits, such as eating large portions, a preference for sweets, or oily foods, also increase calorie intake and contribute to the occurrence of obesity. Furthermore, genetic mutations can also lead to obesity. Another viewpoint suggests that childhood obesity can increase the incidence of adult obesity, with people who were obese after the age of six having a more than 50% chance of being obese in adulthood.

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Written by Luo Juan
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The causes of obesity

Obesity can be classified into primary and secondary obesity according to its causes. Primary obesity, also known as simple obesity, is the most common type among various forms of obesity. It is mainly caused by poor dietary habits such as overeating, especially excessive intake of fatty foods, and a sedentary lifestyle, rather than being secondary to other diseases. Secondary obesity, on the other hand, is often due to diseases of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, hypercortisolism, hypofunction of the thyroid or gonads, insulinomas, and other diseases. Secondary obesity is mainly due to diseases, and it can show some symptoms of the underlying disease.