Reasons and types of excess weight (obesity)

Author: Margarita Kuts - doctor-dietitian, gastroenterologist, and body mesotherapist.
2013-12-12

In this article, we will consider the main causes of excess weight. But first, let's agree that any excess weight, even if it's not very significant, is not a feature of the body's constitution or a cosmetic flaw, but rather a developing serious disease. Therefore, obesity should not be perceived as a result of bad habits or, even more so, as a sign of health and well-being.

Don't think that I want to scare you. I'm emphasizing this point so that you understand that this topic at least deserves your attention. So, depending on the causes, obesity (excess weight) can be:

Primary (dietary-constitutional).

Secondary (symptomatic).

Causes of Primary Obesity

Primary (dietary-constitutional) obesity is often familial. It typically develops due to systematic overeating, dietary irregularities, and insufficient physical activity. Below are the main causes of primary obesity.

1. Overeating as a result of media influence (advertising of fast food, various chocolate bars, and various refined products). Of course, many people find it hard to resist these "treats," and they, succumbing to temptation, plunge headfirst into a sea of culinary delights!

2. Systematic overeating due to the influence of ongoing chronic stress. Constant stress at work and often at home leads to the need for some form of compensation. Food, especially tasty food, provides an excellent way to achieve pleasure and relieve psychological tension. This is quite understandable from a physiological standpoint.

The thing is, we have an important gland known as the pituitary gland. This gland controls the functioning of all our organs by influencing many endocrine glands. However, the pituitary itself is regulated by the hypothalamus – another crucial endocrine gland. The satiety center is located in the hypothalamus. When we eat, it stimulates the production of endorphins. These hormones create a sense of calm and pleasure. When a person is stressed, the satiety center becomes excitable and sends false hunger signals, resulting in overeating. That’s how our smart body operates!

3. An absolutely incorrect perception of one’s body and lack of self-love. This psychological state leads to either compulsive overeating, sometimes even followed by self-induced vomiting, or complete refusal to eat. This behavior is most common among patients suffering from anorexia. I have seen girls with such eating disorders who, pinching imaginary folds on their stomachs, insisted that they were fat and needed to lose weight. It's a pitiful sight, I tell you! Such patients absolutely need the help of a psychologist, and I have referred them accordingly.

4. Overeating as a tribute to family traditions. Very often, mothers, fathers, and especially grandmothers insist that their children and grandchildren finish every last bite, depriving the child of the opportunity to determine their own level of fullness. As a result, from early childhood, the child, frightened or eager to please their parents or grandparents, eats beyond their capacity, consuming an unacceptable amount of food. There’s even a great saying on this topic: “The closer grandma lives, the thicker the child becomes.” Funny, but often true.

Dear parents, grandparents, and caregivers, take note: by overfeeding your children and grandchildren, you are instilling unhealthy eating behaviors in them from a young age. This can lead to a lifelong struggle with excess weight in their adult years. This also applies to national traditions. When it’s customary for a family to set tables full of dishes, any deviation from this tradition is considered unacceptable and a sign of unhospitality.

5. Overeating as a result of a so-called mid-life crisis. Very often, people begin to eat to dull the feelings of nostalgia for unfulfilled dreams and hopes. Some use food as a way to satisfy their hunger for love, affection, and caring. In these cases, food remains the last joy in their lives.

6. Overeating due to chronic sleep deprivation. When we don’t get enough sleep, the body produces more hunger hormone – ghrelin, and less satiety hormone – leptin. This imbalance leads to increased appetite.

Causes of Secondary Obesity

Now let's look at the causes of secondary (symptomatic) obesity. This type of obesity is a consequence of various primary pathological processes, such as:

1. Various endocrine diseases (hypothyroidism, Cushing's syndrome, insulinoma).

2. Various lesions of brain structures (tumors, injuries, inflammatory damage to certain parts of the hypothalamus).

As you can see, with any type of obesity, it is essential to identify and eliminate the underlying cause; otherwise, there will be no sustainable treatment results. I believe it’s time to change our lifestyle and mindset today. We should take our health more seriously. Use the recommendations from specialists to achieve a completely different quality of life by tomorrow!