Although the causes of obesity are not fully understood, poor eating habits and lack of physical activity stand out as the most important factors. In addition to these factors, genetic, environmental, neurological, biochemical, socio-cultural and psychological factors also increase the risk of obesity. Since the increase in childhood obesity worldwide is progressing too quickly to be explained by genetic changes, environmental factors are thought to have a major impact on obesity.
The main factors that increase the risk of obesity are:
* Inadequate and excessive nutrition
* Lack of physical activity
* Age and gender
* Level of education
* Socio-cultural and economic status
* Hormones and metabolic factors
* Genetic predisposition
* Psychological problems
* Frequent application of low-calorie diets
* Smoking and alcohol use
* Certain medications (such as antidepressants)
- Number of births and the interval between births
