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Other causes of being overweight or obese

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Activity and exercise

Most people in the UK do not do enough physical activity. Less people have jobs which are energetic than previously. The variety of labour saving devices and gadgets in most homes, and the overuse of cars, means that most people need to use-up much less energy compared to previous generations. The average person in the UK watches 26 hours of television per week, and many even more (the 'couch potato' syndrome).
A lack of physical activity by many people is thought to be a major cause of the increase in obesity in recent years.

Inheritance

You are more likely to be obese if one or both of your parents are obese. This may be partly due to learning bad eating habits from overeating parents. However, some people inherit a tendency that makes them prone to overeat. Therefore, for some people, part of the problem is genetic.

It is not fully understood how this 'genetic factor' works. It has something to do with the control of appetite. When we eat, certain hormones and brain chemicals send messages to parts of the brain to say that we have had enough, and to stop eating. In some people, this control of appetite and the feeling of fullness (satiety) may be faulty, or not as good as it is in others.
If you do inherit a tendency to overeat, it is not inevitable that you will become overweight or obese. You can learn about the power of your appetite, ways to resist it, be strict on what you eat, and do some regular physical activity. However, you are likely to struggle more than most people to prevent or overcome weight gain.

Medical problems

Less than 1 in 100 obese people have a 'medical' cause. Conditions such as Cushing's disease and an underactive thyroid are rare causes of weight gain. Some medicines such as steroids, some antidepressants, sulphonylureas and sodium valproate may contribute to weight gain. If you give up smoking, your appetite may increase.