Some countries are more obese than others. For example, around 4.5% of the adult population in Japan belongs to this category, while in the US the figure is roughly 40%.
However, the global trend is clear — obesity more than tripled between 1975 and 2022, and it is estimated that one billion of us are struggling with it, including 880 million grown-ups and 159 million children and adolescents.
To learn how people might end up there, Reddit user 90s-Hercules made a post on the platform, asking those who have gained a significant amount of weight to share the thing they blame for it the most.
#1
Menopause.
Unthunkable: I put on 2stone in less than 6 months. No real changes to diet or activity levels, and then couldn't lose the weight despite calorie control (1200 a day) and additional exercise. Had a few other symptoms which point towards peri which all occurred at the same time. No HRT yet, though I have begun discussing with my doctor.
Unthunkable: I put on 2stone in less than 6 months. No real changes to diet or activity levels, and then couldn't lose the weight despite calorie control (1200 a day) and additional exercise. Had a few other symptoms which point towards peri which all occurred at the same time. No HRT yet, though I have begun discussing with my doctor.
37points
#2
An addiction to sweet and salty snacks. I run 100+ miles a month, sometimes 150+, but there is no outrunning 500-1000/day calorie surpluses caused by sugar and potato chip binges. I’ve gained 25-30 lbs in just a couple of years. :(.
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29points
Looking at the root of the problem, the World Health Organization (WHO) says that being overweight or obese results from an imbalance of energy intake (diet) and energy expenditure (physical activity).
However, WHO highlights that obesity is a multilayered disease also influenced by other factors, such as a person's psychosocial conditions and genetics.
At the same time, WHO claims the lack of effective responses from healthcare systems only aggravates the situation.
#3
Eating disorder. Binge eating disorder that went untreated because it's not treated by the NHS and I couldn't afford to go private. In the end I battled it alone and I'm winning. Now my lowest weight for 20 years.
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28points
#4
Being in a relationship.. relationship weight gain is very real Lol I gained 20 pounds 😅 & then my Ex had abs when we first started dating and then gained weight too😭 It was honestly happy weight gain though.
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27points
#5
Going blind. Lost most of my central vision a few years ago. The loss of independence is soul-crushing. My ex-wife trying to take my kids away two months later made it exponentially worse. I turned into a person who eats and drinks his feelings real quick.
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26points
#6
Mom got into a car accident, wasn’t at fault. Had to break away my life during my prime and take care of her full time and move back home with no other family to assist. We tried care facilities but gave her severe mistreatment, to the point lawyers got involved.
Got depressed from having to spend all my time working from home with full time care (bathing, toilet, food, paying for aids when out of town, etc) and keeping up with medical expenses. It’s mixed feelings, I clearly cared about her, but it was excruciating trying to think about dating or do anything having to explain why you still live with a parent and can’t give them my all. She ended up passing away after 3 years from the injuries and infections from the care facilities that persisted. Won the court case, but not until she died. In a better place, but the stress from all that definitely made me gain weight.
Got depressed from having to spend all my time working from home with full time care (bathing, toilet, food, paying for aids when out of town, etc) and keeping up with medical expenses. It’s mixed feelings, I clearly cared about her, but it was excruciating trying to think about dating or do anything having to explain why you still live with a parent and can’t give them my all. She ended up passing away after 3 years from the injuries and infections from the care facilities that persisted. Won the court case, but not until she died. In a better place, but the stress from all that definitely made me gain weight.
25points
While not everything is within our control, it's important not to give in, as people with severe weight problems are more likely to develop a number of other health issues, including:
- Heart disease and strokes. Obesity makes you more likely to have high blood pressure and unhealthy cholesterol levels, which are significant risk factors for heart disease and strokes.
- Type 2 diabetes. Obesity can affect the way your body uses insulin to control blood sugar levels. This elevates the risk of insulin resistance and diabetes.
- Certain cancers. Obesity may increase the risk of cancer of the uterus, cervix, endometrium, ovary, breast, colon, rectum, esophagus, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, kidney, and prostate.
- Digestive problems. Obesity increases the likelihood of developing heartburn, gallbladder disease, and liver problems.
- Sleep apnea. People with obesity are more likely to have sleep apnea, a potentially serious disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and restarts during sleep.
- Osteoarthritis. Obesity increases the stress placed on joints. It also promotes inflammation, which includes swelling, pain, and a feeling of heat within the body. These factors may lead to complications such as osteoarthritis.
- Fatty liver disease. Obesity increases the risk of fatty liver disease, a condition that arises from excessive fat deposits in the liver. In some cases, this can lead to serious liver damage, known as liver cirrhosis.
#7
The month my thyroid stopped working....I gained 30 lbs in 30 days. The doctor was like "ummm...I think we know why your hair is falling out and you have been depressed".
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23points
#8
Working night shift. I lost access to decent food, and was pretty sedentary for a couple of years. It was pretty destructive.
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23points
#9
Entering into a relationship with a fantastic cook.
23points
#10
Getting a car. I used to walk/cycle everywhere and had no trouble keeping the weight off. Once you've got a car though it's difficult to give up.
21points
#11
Eating stuff at night when I had a bad day.
But at least I am still alive.
But at least I am still alive.
21points
#13
Having a baby and breastfeeding. So many people told me “oh you’ll lose weight if you breastfeed.” NOT true for me. It made me hungrier and on top of not sleeping well, made me gain weight.
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20points
#14
Fired... I when I was fired I got depressed... it was really hard time, so I gained a lot of weight... around 30kgs... 2 years ago, I couldn't recognize myself, so I decided to take care of it...
Start a diet, gym... cardio... I'm a 🐌🐌 but since then, I put down 17kgs, and I still have to down more 20kgs.
Start a diet, gym... cardio... I'm a 🐌🐌 but since then, I put down 17kgs, and I still have to down more 20kgs.
20points
#15
Quitting smoking. It wasn't just from eating more. It was from sudden lack of the stimulant nicotine. My metabolism slowed down. Another reason not to start smoking at all.
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19points
#16
Nothing to look forward to. Nothing like 15 years of work and childcare with very little in the way of excitement (although I adore the kids obvs).
Nothing to diet for. Nobody to diet for. No big event coming my way.
Not a self pity trip at all, Iamcheerful every day. It's true though.
Nothing to diet for. Nobody to diet for. No big event coming my way.
Not a self pity trip at all, Iamcheerful every day. It's true though.
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19points
#17
Birth control pill.
Different_Cow273: Literally same here, I was looking for specifically the pill. Gained almost a hundred pounds, stopped taking it and lost it so quickly it’s insane.
Different_Cow273: Literally same here, I was looking for specifically the pill. Gained almost a hundred pounds, stopped taking it and lost it so quickly it’s insane.
18points
#18
Wine. Fkng wine! It’s a slippery slope.
You see one glass as 150 calories and it’s like “meh that ain’t bad” B*tch?! Two bottles later and dancing on the kitchen island and then a few months later it’s all 30 lbs and me looking in the mirror asking “whot have I become..” 🥴
You see one glass as 150 calories and it’s like “meh that ain’t bad” B*tch?! Two bottles later and dancing on the kitchen island and then a few months later it’s all 30 lbs and me looking in the mirror asking “whot have I become..” 🥴
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17points
#19
Ironically my parents getting worried I was getting chunky as a kid and trying to make me lose weight.
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17points
#20
I tore a hamstring on a long run and had to shut it down for over a year.
17points