understanding 

obesity

what is obesity?

Obesity is a chronic, complex disease characterized by excessive fat accumulated that can damage health, physical function and quality of life.

Is Obesity My Fault?

It’s not your fault — understanding the causes is the first step toward change

High Calorie Diets

High Calorie Diets

Poor eating habits, frequent consumption of processed, sugary, and high-fat foods can lead to weight gain over time.

Physical Inactivity

Physical Inactivity

Sedentary lifestyle, excessive screen time, and lack of regular exercise reduces the number of calories your body burns, making weight gain more likely.

Genetic and hormonal factors

Genetic and hormonal factors

Family history, obesity-related genes, and hormonal disorders (like PCOS or metabolic syndrome) can also contribute to weight gain.

Psychological factors

Psychological factors

Conditions like anxiety, depression or stress can encourage emotional eating or cravings and preference for high-calorie foods.

Disability

Disability

Physical disabilities may limit mobility and reduce ability to engage in regular physical activity, which can increase the risk of weight gain and obesity.

Medications

Medications

Certain medicines, including anti-depressants, steroids, anti-seizure drugs, diabetes treatments, and beta-blockers, may lead to weight gain.

Lack of Sleep

Lack of Sleep

Getting less than seven hours of sleep can disrupt hunger hormones, making it harder to manage appetite.

Obesity:
A Gateway to Multiple Diseases

Insulin Resistance / Diabetes

Cardiovascular Disease

Osteoarthritis

Depression

Cancer

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Infertility

Obesity & Diabetes

Obesity, especially when it leads to increased fat around the abdomen, liver, and muscles, is a major risk factor for developing prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes. This is because excess fat causes two key issues in the body: 

  1. INSULIN RESISTANCE: The body’s cells become less responsive to insulin, a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels. 
  2. BETA-CELL DYSFUNCTION: The cells in the pancreas that produce insulin start to function poorly, leading to difficulty in maintaining healthy blood sugar levels.

Obesity & Fatty Liver

Obesity is one of the strongest risk factors for developing MASLD [Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease). When excess fat builds up in the liver in people who do not consume excessive alcohol, it can cause inflammation and liver damage over time. Up to 90% of individuals with obesity have MASLD. Excess body fat, especially around the abdomen, promotes insulin resistance and changes in liver metabolism. MASLD can progress to MASH (Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis), a more serious form that includes liver cell injury and inflammation, potentially leading to fibrosis, cirrhosis, or even liver failure if left untreated.

Obesity & the Heart

Obesity increases the risk of developing heart disease by putting added stress on the body’s systems, especially the cardiovascular system. Extra body fat, particularly around the abdomen, contributes to high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar and type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and triglycerides, Sleep apnea and other breathing issues. These conditions damage blood vessels over time and raise the risk of heart attacks. hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) and peripheral arterial disease. 

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