Some people eat more than usual when they are stressed, bored or angry. Over time, overeating will lead to weight gain and may cause overweight or obesity. Lack of physical activity is another important cause of obesity and overweight. People who are inactive are more likely to gain weight because they don't burn up the calories that they take in from food and drinks.



Your environment can also encourage obesity. Lack of parks, trails, sidewalks, and affordable gyms makes it hard for people to be physically active. Due to busy work schedules, you may not have time to be physically active. Over-sized food portions also contribute to obesity and overweight. Due to fast life, people are now more surrounded by huge food portions in restaurants, fast food places, gas stations, movie theaters, supermarkets, and even home. Eating large portions means too much energy intake. Over time, this will cause weight gain if it isn't balanced with physical activity.

Sometimes hormone problems cause obesity and overweight. The most common among them is hypothyroidism. This is a condition in which the thyroid gland doesn't make enough thyroid hormone. Lack of thyroid hormone will slow down your metabolism and cause weight gain.

Certain medicines may cause you to gain weight. These medicines can slow the rate at which your body burns calories, increase your appetite, or cause your body to hold on to extra water, all of which can lead to weight gain.

Age is another factor responsible for obesity and overweight. As you get older, you tend to lose muscle, especially if you're less active. Muscle loss can slow down the rate at which your body burns calories. If you don't reduce your calorie intake as you get older, you may gain weight.

During pregnancy, women gain weight so that the baby gets proper nourishment and develops normally. After giving birth, some women find it difficult to lose the weight. This may lead to overweight or obesity, especially after a few pregnancies.

Lack of proper sleep may also contribute to overweight or obese. People who report sleeping 5 hours a night are much more likely to become obese compared to people who sleep 7'8 hours a night. People who sleep fewer hours also seem to prefer eating foods that are higher in calories and carbohydrates, which can lead to overeating, weight gain, and obesity over time.