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Myth Buster: Misconceptions Around Obesity

Even though obesity affects a large part of the world, there exist many biases and misconceptions around the topic.

Written by Kashish Sharma | Updated : February 23, 2023 10:42 AM IST

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A Complex Phenomenon

Obesity is a complex condition that cannot be explained alone in terms of calorie intake. There are many factors that might contribute to weight gain including biological, genetics and others. Usually, a medical practitioner might suggest that a person has obesity if they have a high body mass index (BMI). The WHO estimate that around 650 million adults have obesity. Even though obesity affects a large part of the world, there exist many biases and misconceptions around the topic.

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Myth 1: It's All About Diet

Consuming more calories than your body requires can result in obesity. Hence, this must not be generalized. There are many other factors that contribute to the condition like insufficient sleep, chronic stress, chronic pain, eating disorders, depression, hormonal imbalances and others. Sometimes, overeating can be a symptom rather than a cause. Also Read - Zombie Drug In India: Delivery boy seen standing motionless for 2 hours in Chandigarh, Punjab, leaves netizens puzzled - Watch Viral Video

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Myth 2: Diabetes Is Caused By Obesity

Obesity is a complex medical condition and does not directly cause diabetes. It is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes but it doesn’t mean that everybody who is obese might become a diabetic.

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Myth 3: Obesity Happens Due To A Lack Of Self-control

An inactive lifestyle can be a factor contributing to obesity but it is never the sole cause. There exists a common bias that obese people are ‘lazy’ which is incorrect. Sometimes other health conditions like hypothyroidism and other metabolic conditions might be leading to weight gain. In conditions like PCOS, weight gain is a symptom and not a cause. Psychological conditions like depression might also damage the sense of motivation in people. Hence, obesity is not a straightforward road. Also Read - Glaucoma in India: Silent thief of sight, risk factors, early detection and treatment options