Fat plays no part in this type of protection. There are also emotional factors that play a part in this epidemic. Food itself can play a variety of different roles in people's lives. When food plays this kind of role to a large extent in someone's life, weight gain is likely to occur. Food is often very much a part of the lives of those in recovery.
Food then becomes the addiction, taking the place of the alcohol or other drugs.
I see many former substance abusers who now use food as the drug of choice. Finally, there is also a cultural factor surrounding the issue of obesity. In some cultures, namely African-American and Latino, it is more acceptable than in other cultures to be overweight. That may be true, but it is important to remember that obesity plays a role in the onset of many chronic, fatal diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and some cancers. The more overweight you are, the greater your chances of contracting one of these chronic conditions.