Determinants of Obesity

Obesity is widely recognised as a multifactorial and complex disease, arising from the interaction
of biological, behavioural, environmental, and social determinants. 

Biological factors include genetic susceptibility, metabolic regulation, and neuroendocrine pathways that influence appetite, satiety, and energy balance. 
Behavioural factors such as dietary patterns, physical activity, sleep, and sedentary behaviour also contribute to energy imbalance. However, these individual-level factors are strongly shaped by broader determinants, including socioeconomic status, the built environment, food systems, and cultural norms that influence lifestyle opportunities and health behaviours. According to the European Association
for the Study of Obesity, these interacting determinants operate across multiple levels, from individual biology to societal structures, contributing to both the development and persistence of obesity.

Recognising the complex determinants of obesity highlights the need for comprehensive prevention strategies and multidisciplinary approaches to treatment. ​