What Are the Everday Causes Of Obesity?

Societal and Environmental Factors Influence Us

The rate of obesity has been steadily increasing worldwide over the last number of years.

An interesting study published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology from researchers at UCLA points to some social and life factors that may be contributing to this in obesity.

The researchers looked at what they called social determinants of health. This included

• income,
• education,
• neighbourhood safety,
• health care access,
• childhood adversity,
• discrimination and isolation,
• other individual andf societal stressors.

As individuals struggle with income, they tend to choose cheaper, ultra processed food. Health care can be more difficult to access, and general stress levels can increase.

Multiple Factors Change How Our Body Works

The researchers argued that these issues altered the gut brain axis.

• With changes in food intake, the gut microbiome loses diversity, inflammation rises and cravings grow stronger.
• Stress, poor diet, and social isolation, change behaviour.
• Brain scans show less grey matter in areas that control motivation.
• Chronic inflammation lowers dopamine levels reducing satisfaction from normal reward systems.
• Harmful bacteria flourish in the gut, weakening metabolism, and altering insulin response.

Changes Start Early

The study showed that this can start in children and may in actual fact start in pregnancy due to changes in foetal development.

The authors advocated that schools should provide healthier meals, and there should be improvements in access to healthy food choices and grocery stores in socially disadvantaged areas.

This study demonstrated that obesity is not just about food or exercise. Its causes reflects many aspects of modern lifestyle with increased stress, shift work, and social inequality.

Read the full paper here.

How Can The Dr Lockie Practice Help?

The multi-disciplinary team at the practice can help identify the causes of metabolic disorders and obesity and can provide a variety of solutions which will suit your individual circumstance.

We do not use a one size fits all model.

We are also fortunate to have the Dr Phil Lockie app which will give you a window in to our practicehelp help reinforce the support that we already provide, once the treatment begins.

To get started, contact us for a complementary appointment with Shirley Lockie, our metabolic Health professional to assess your situation and provide options.

You can also contact us on 07 3355 2011.

Reference

1.Sood, R., Kilpatrick, L. A., Keefer, L. A. & Church, A. Biopsychosocial and Environmental Factors that Impact Brain-Gut-Microbiome Interactions in Obesity. Clin. Gastroenterol. Hepatol. (2025) doi:10.1016/j.cgh.2025.07.045.