The main contributing factors of obesity can be broken into 3 categories: societal, environmental, and genetic.8-11
Examples of societal and environmental factors of obesity include changes in food production and availability, decreases in energy expenditure due to more sedentary lifestyles, socioeconomic status, cultural influences, and societal changes such as overeating and reduced physical activity.11,12
Genetic factors of obesity may determine the extent to which these societal and environmental factors will impact a patient’s weight.