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It is excessive accumulation of body fat in and on
the body. The usual cause is the consumption of more
calories than the body can use. This simple
explanation, however, hides a great deal of theory
about its cause. It is probably true that some of us
put on fat more readily than others. This may be
because obese people are more interested in food or
that they expend less energy. This latter theory may
account for obesity in only a small minority of
overweight persons. Overeating may be a habit
culturally imposed by family custom, may be an
occupational hazard (e.g., people who cook for a
living), follow by immobilization, can be stimulated
by certain drugs, or may be determined by cultural
family environment, a sedentary lifestyle, or
temperament. Obesity, like underweight, is a
condition with multiple causes. Some people have a
metabolic rate that is lower than average (e.g. they
may feel cold sooner than others). Some of the
effects of obesity are a reduced life expectancy,
and a higher disposition to certain diseases and
disabilities. Diabetes of the middle-aged is
strongly associated with obesity, and obesity in
women is associated with gallbladder disease. Other
causes of obesity are: eating when lonely, sad or
stressed, being pressured to eat by friends or
family, or using food for recreation.
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