Nature & Nurture: The Causes of Obesity

As the number of people with obesity increases, the health problems tied to this condition are also increasing. Conditions like coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and many forms of cancer—all conditions that may be associated with or aggravated by excess weight and all conditions that can be potentially deadly—are not only common among adults but also more common among younger people than ever before. Even as people become more conscious that excess weight is a medical problem, many people still view obesity as a personal problem—something caused by laziness, gluttony, or even stupidity. Maybe people still don't realize that weight and body size aren't simply a matter of what we eat and how much we exercise. Discover the true causes of obesity, from our genetics to the way in which we were raised. Understand the truth behind our culture's myths about obesity and weight.