Obesity is a chronic, often progressive metabolic disease that affects more people and is linked to higher mortality and morbidity rates. This is caused by long-term positive energy balance, which occurs when energy intake exceeds energy expenditure. Many medical professionals and patients are of the opinion that obesity is caused by poor and unhealthy lifestyle choices made by the person. However, obesity can be caused by a variety of factors such as genetics, aging, lifestyle choices, medications, hormonal imbalances, etc.
Genetics and obesity
Genetics can directly contribute to obesity in specific diseases such as Prader-Willi syndrome and Bardet-Biedl syndrome. According to studies, the genetic contribution to adult body mass index (BMI) varies between 40 and 70% in most people.
However, genes do not necessarily predict future health. For a person to be overweight, genes and behavior may be necessary. Sometimes a person’s risk of obesity may be increased by multiple genes and may also require environmental conditions, such as an abundant food supply or minimal physical activity.
Conditions associated with weight gain
Here are some health problems or diseases that can cause obesity:
1. Hypothyroidism
Patients with clinically overt hypothyroidism typically gain weight, in part due to increased adiposity. Weight gain is usually not significant. Although treatment of subclinical hypothyroidism does not appear to be associated with weight loss, increasing serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations within the normal range has also been associated with a slight increase in body weight in adults. Observational data suggest that obesity may increase the risk of hypothyroidism, raising doubts about the relationship between the two.
2. Cushing’s Syndrome
Patients with Cushing’s syndrome frequently have progressive central obesity affecting the trunk, abdomen, mesentery, and mediastinum. In addition to the larger dorsal and supraclavicular fat pads, the face and neck are usually where fat tissue accumulates. Although usually spared, the extremities frequently exhibit muscle wasting.
3. Hypothalamic
Hypothalamic obesity is a type of obesity that occurs when the hypothalamus does not function normally. One of the most common reasons a child develops hypothalamic obesity is treatment for a brain tumor affecting the hypothalamus. Any injury to the hypothalamus can cause the disease. This syndrome can be caused by a tumor (most commonly a craniopharyngioma), trauma, radiation therapy, surgery in the posterior fossa, or elevated intracranial pressure.
In fact, these parts of the brain are responsible for merging afferent sensory information about food availability with metabolic information about nutritional stores. Damage to the ventromedial hypothalamus leads to hyperphagia, decreased energy expenditure, and obesity.
Other health issues, including excess insulin and lack of growth hormone, can also contribute to obesity.
Drugs associated with weight gain
A number of drugs used to treat common health conditions have been linked to weight gain. These drugs include:
1. Antipsychotic drugs: Many antipsychotic drugs are associated with weight gain. However, the effect can also reverse.
2. Antidepressants: A number of antidepressants, including tricyclics, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), and some selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), have been associated with weight gain.
3. Antiepileptic drugs: Several anticonvulsant drugs, including valproate, carbamazepine and gabapentin, which are used to treat seizures, neuropathic pain and psychiatric conditions such as bipolar disorder, have been linked to weight gain.
4. Hormonal birth control pills: Steroid hormone medications like prednisone or birth control pills can also contribute to weight gain.
5. Medicines for diabetes: Diabetes medications such as insulin, thiazolidinediones, and sulfonylureas can impact your weight.
Obese patients should be evaluated for medical conditions that cause obesity and treated as soon as possible!
