6 Types of Obesity and their Causes

4 minutes

There are many diverse causes of obesity. Depending on the particular case, the treatment to fight it could be different.

Reviewed and approved by the pedagogue in physical education and nutritionist Elisa Morales Lupayante.

Written by Ángela Aragón

Last update: 30 May, 2022

“I don’t know what to do to lose more weight, my family eats twice as much as me and they’re skinny, I can’t stop eating”. Have you heard these before? You might have even said them yourself. Everyone has heard all of these, but can any of them be true? There are many types of obesity, but each can be controlled by a specialist who can personalize your treatment.

Below, we tell you all about what the 6 types of obesity are and what causes them. Keep reading for more information!

Learn about the 6 types of obesity and their causes

Yes, there are many types of obesity, and each is a result of a different cause. For that reason, it’s likely that the individual will follow a specific diet and exercise and still doesn’t find what they’re looking for.

To avoid frustration, we want to explain what the types are and how they’re different. However, if and when you decide to get thinner , it’s best to visit a specialist that can tell you what your problem is. They can also personalize your treatment, unlike with other regimes.

1. Genetic obesity

Genetic obesity is one of the types of obesity.

Have you ever noticed that there are certain families in which everyone suffers from obesity? This could be due to two issues. They might have bad eating habits in the home, or they could all have a genetic predisposition to suffer from this problem.

Now. this doesn’t mean that patients who have genetic obesity should just give up. While it’s true that these people will have a harder time achieving their body shape goals, there are certain steps they can take to lose weight. First of all, however, a genetic test will be needed to help the doctor design the appropriate intervention.

See also: Does the Dukan diet work for patients with obesity?

2. Dietary obesity

This is the most well-known type. It’s caused by leading a sedentary lifestyle and eating more calories than you burn. This type of obesity has a simper solution. It’s about changing how you eat, as well as your routine.

However, those who suffer from this know that it’s not easy to overcome. This means making lasting lifestyle changes. It’s not just about going to the gym and eating well for a year. It’s a way of life.

Over time, you’ll be able to relax a little more because your metabolism will be faster. In essence, though, if you want to maintain the results of your diet, you’ll have to be very strict with your habits.

3. Obesity due to poor regulation

Poor regulation obesity is one of the types of obesity.

This is one of the most complicated types of obesity. It means that the body doesn’t regulate the sensation of hunger properly so the individual never feels quite full enough. Therefore, they find themselves constantly wanting to eat even though they’ve already consumed a large amount of food.

When they sit down at the dinner table they can’t stop themselves. The result is continuously feeling unsatisfied, which can be complicated by the appearance of the next type on our list.

4. Nervous obesity

Eating produces pleasure. That’s why people who have anxiety or other psychological problems may compensate for their discomfort with food. In general, they tend to opt for foods that are higher in sugar and fat.

In these cases, it’s best to tell your doctor about the diet you’re following. A psychologist or psychiatrist will help you manage the spikes in stress and channel your energy another way. For these patients, the process can be very difficult because they’ll have to give up what they see as one of their few sources of happiness.

See also: Five Strategies to Say Goodbye to Stress

5. Endocrine obesity

Endocrine obesity is one of the types of obesity.

The most common problems are hypothyroidism and hypocortisolism. The endocrine system doesn’t work as it should in these cases and causes a hormonal imbalance.

In the first case, the thyroid gland produces fewer hormones than needed to metabolize anything consumed. In the second one, the thyroid processes an excess amount of short adrenal.

6. Thermogenic obesity

Above, we said that people become overweight and obese when they consume more calories than they burn. In this case, however, the body doesn’t reach the temperature required for this burning to take place. Therefore, almost everything the affected individuals eat translates into weight gain.

A doctor can be a big help here and is very necessary. If you merely follow certain diets it can lead to serious health problems. This is because you run the risk of reducing your food intake to the point of becoming dangerously thin.

The issue of obesity is much more serious than people usually think. It must be treated with care. The best thing to do is when you notice that you’re putting on pounds, talk to your doctor. They will provide you with the most suitable solution for you.