Overweight and obesity are generally caused by lack of physical activity, unhealthy eating patterns, or a combination of the two, with genetics and lifestyle both playing important roles in determining weight.

Contributing Factors:

• Increased portion sizes
• Introduction of technology (e.g. cars, computers, televisions)
• Lack of environmental supports (e.g. sidewalks, access to healthy food options)
• Increased marketing of unhealthy food items
• Certain diseases which can cause weight gain (e.g. Cushing’s Disease)
• Certain medications which can cause weight gain (e.g. steroids and antidepressants)