Obesity results from consuming more calories than the body uses. Genetic and environmental factors influence body weight, but precisely how they interact to determine a person's weight is still unclear. One proposed explanation is that body weight is regulated around a set point, similar to a thermostat setting. A higher-than-normal set point may explain why some people are obese and why losing weight and maintaining weight loss are difficult for them.

Genetic Factors: Recent research suggests that on the average, the genetic influence contributes to about 33 percent of body weight, but the contribution may be more or less in a particular person.

 

Socioeconomic Factors: Such factors strongly influence obesity, especially among women. In the United States, obesity is more than twice as common among women in lower socioeconomic groups as among women in higher ones. Why socioeconomic factors have such a strong influence on women's weight is not fully understood, but sanctions against obesity do increase with increasing social status. Women in higher socioeconomic groups have more time and resources for the dieting and exercise that enable them to conform to these social demands.

 

Psychological Factors: Emotional disturbances, once considered an important cause of obesity, are now considered a reaction to the strong prejudice and discrimination against obese people. One type of emotional disturbance, a negative body image, is a serious problem for many young obese women. It leads to extreme self-consciousness and discomfort in social situations.

Obesity is the second leading cause of unnecessary deaths.

• Despite its toll taken in death and disability, obesity does not receive the attention it deserves from government, the health care profession or the insurance industry.

• Research is severely limited by a shortage of funds.

• Inadequate insurance coverage limits access to treatment.

• Discrimination and mistreatment of persons with obesity is widespread and often considered socially acceptable.