But what is it that makes people gain weight? Why do some people develop obesity? There isn't just one specific thing. 

Obesity is a long-term health condition that develops over time from a combination of factors. Because these factors all add up over time, treating obesity often means looking at many parts of a person’s life, not just one cause.

The causes of obesity are complicated and vary from person to person. These can include but are not limited to:

• Genetics. Tiny genetic variations can make you more likely to carry weight and develop obesity.
• Hormones. The balance of hormones in your body can affect your appetite and food choices, as well as how much energy you use.
• Stress. High stress levels can make you overeat and gain weight.
• Sleep. How much and how well you sleep can affect your hormones, which can make you eat more food.
• Medications. Some medicines can increase your appetite or affect your metabolism so that you gain weight.
• Environment and socioeconomic status. Where you live, your activity levels and your access to different kinds of food is related to developing obesity.

Obesity is a complex condition with many causes. Once a person has developed obesity, losing weight and maintaining weight has health benefits. It is important, therefore, to find the right weight management plan alongside your healthcare provider.

Although the causes of obesity are complex, there are people who think that obesity is only a matter of lifestyle. It's a common belief that if a person only ate the right food and exercised in the right way, they wouldn't gain weight or develop obesity.

On some level, it is true. Losing weight does depend on the balance between how much energy you have (from the type and amount of food you eat) and how much energy you use (by exercising or carrying out normal body functions like breathing). But, this dramatically simplifies obesity. It's also hurtful to people who are living with obesity. Eating less and moving more isn't always enough to manage weight and prevent you from developing obesity.

There are many other factors at play, including biology and genetics. Our brains play a significant role in regulating our body weight. For example, some people who are overweight or are living with obesity may find it particularly challenging to lose weight and keep it off, even when eating a balanced diet and increasing their physical activity. When you lose weight, hormonal changes can increase feelings of hunger and slow down calorie burning. This is because of the body’s natural survival mechanism, developed over thousands of years, to help protect against starvation by encouraging weight regain.

The environment where a person lives can also impact obesity and weight loss. Maybe in the area you live, there aren't many places to buy fresh fruits and vegetables or safe areas to exercise, making lifestyle changes more challenging. If you work long shifts, there might be less time in the day to prepare home-cooked meals.

Anyone who has tried to manage their weight without much success is probably all too familiar with these challenges. You can do your best to make healthy choices and still struggle with obesity. Losing weight can be tough, but the bigger challenge for many is keeping it off after the initial loss. The journey is different for everyone, and being understanding of these complexities is important.

By considering all of the causes of obesity and approaching obesity similar to other diseases, your healthcare provider can help you build healthy lifestyle habits, supporting you to lose weight and maintain your weightloss, which can significantly reduce your risk of developing obesity-related complications.

To manage obesity in the best way, the first step is to identify which causes play a role. Since the causes of obesity vary from person to person, the approach should too. Each person will need to manage obesity and address the roadblocks of losing weight in a different way. Talk to your doctor or healthcare provider to figure out the possible causes of obesity and to create a weight management plan specifically for you and your needs.