Obesity

An excessive accumulation and storage of body fat (BMI ≥30 kg/m²), resulting from chronic positive energy balance and associated with increased cardiometabolic, mechanical, and psychosocial morbidity and mortality.

Causes

• Excessive caloric intake relative to energy expenditure

  • Diets high in processed foods, sugars, and saturated fats

  • Reduced physical activity

• Endocrine and metabolic causes

  • Hypothyroidism

  • Cushing syndrome

  • Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

  • Insulin resistance

  • Metabolic syndrome

  • Hypothalamic disorders affecting appetite regulation

• Medications

  • Antidepressants

  • Antipsychotics

  • Corticosteroids

  • Hormonal contraceptives

  • Antihypertensive medications

  • Diabetes medications (e.g., insulin, sulfonylureas, thiazolidinediones)

• Sleep-related and psychological causes

  • Chronic sleep deprivation

  • Obstructive sleep apnea

  • Depression

  • Anxiety disorders

  • Emotional eating

• Genetic and biological causes

  • Genetic predisposition

  • Monogenic obesity syndromes

  • Familial patterns affecting appetite, metabolism, and fat storage

  • Altered regulation of hunger and satiety hormones