The causes of obesity include:
- Society influences our eating decisions through advertisements;
- Doctors don’t understand the science of weight gain; and
- The mixed messages we receive and not knowing what or who to trust.
However, Dr. Fung says it all still comes down to the fact that obesity is caused by our hormones. When insulin reaches a high level for an extended period of time, fat storage and weight gain is the result. A cycle of insulin resistance increases insulin levels and the problem compounds into obesity.
The biggest factor behind elevated insulin levels is simple carbohydrates, especially added sugars. When combined with stress and increased cortisol levels, simple carbs create a fast path to obesity.