Both obesity and being overweight may be influenced by genetics, lifestyle preferences (e.g. watching more than 2 hours of TV per day or quitting smoking), pregnancy, environment (e.g. not enough time in the day to exercise due to long commutes), medication, metabolism, age, lack of sleep, diseases/disorders, and more. Women are more likely than men at becoming obese. Although obesity affects people of all ethnicities, ages, and backgrounds, Hispanic and African-Americans are at higher risk of developing obesity. Income is also correlated with a greater tendency to be obese, with women of lower-income being 50% more at risk of obesity than women of middle- and upper-income backgrounds.   

• Age
• Environmental factors
• Genetics
• Gender
• Income
• Lifestyle
• Medication
• Metabolism
• Pregnancy

Being obese is a serious health issue, as a number of disorders have been associated with being obese. By understanding the symptoms of obesity, you can take steps with your doctor to fall within a healthy weight range.  Read here for more information regarding medical symptoms of obesity in the Obesity Symptoms section that follows.