Risk Factors for Obesity (original) (raw)
Obesity is a complex and costly chronic disease influenced by many factors. These factors include health behaviors, stress, health conditions and medications, genes, and people's environment. Knowing the risk factors can help individuals and communities take steps to prevent and reduce obesity.
Health behaviors
Certain health behaviors can contribute to excess weight gain and are risk factors for obesity:
- Lack of physical activity.
- Unhealthy eating patterns such as:
- Too many highly processed foods or added sugars, including too many sugar-sweetened beverages.
- Too little fiber and fruits and vegetables.
- Not enough sleep or poor quality sleep.
- Too much TV, computer, video games, and other screen time.
Stress
Long-term stress can affect your brain and trigger your body to make high levels of hormones, such as cortisol. These hormones help regulate energy balances and hunger urges. High levels of these hormones can increase your appetite and promote inflammation in your body.1
Health conditions and medications
Some health conditions may lead to excess weight gain, obesity, or insulin resistance. These conditions include Cushing syndrome, polycystic ovary syndrome, or underactive thyroid.
Some medications may also cause weight gain by disrupting the brain's signals for hunger or through other mechanisms. These medications can include:
- Psychiatric medications, such as antipsychotics and antidepressants.
- Steroids.
- Certain types of hormonal birth control, such as progestins.
- Anti-seizure or mood-stabilizing drugs.
- Certain blood pressure and diabetes medications.
Genes
In specific, rare, single-gene disorders, genes can directly cause obesity. Examples of these disorders are Bardet-Biedl syndrome and Prader-Willi syndrome.
It is more common for multiple genes to contribute to a person's feelings of hunger, sense of fullness, and metabolism.2
Nov. 14, 2025
References
- Gianotti L, Belcastro S, D'Agnano S, Tassone F. The Stress Axis on Obesity and Diabetes Mellitus: An Update. Endocrines. 2021;2:334-347.
- Mahmoud R, Kimonis V, Butler MG. Genetics of obesity in humans: a clinical review. Int J Mol Sci. 2022 Sep 20;23(19):11005. doi: 10.3390/ijms231911005