Different Perspectives on Causes of Obesity

Abstract

Many people believe that obesity is genetically determined. Genes do undoubtedly play a role in how susceptible different individuals are to becoming overweight, but the sudden rapid rise in obesity in many societies cannot be explained by genetic factors alone. Obesity is caused by numerous changes that have taken place in societies and the way we live, including changes in costs of food, ease of preparation, availability of energy-dense foods, spread of fast-food restaurants, development of the microwave, decline in cooking skills, decline in physical activities, and changes in socioeconomic conditions.