Determinants of obesity

Obesity has become a global epidemic. This chapter provides an overview of major risk factors of obesity, including those that are specifically relevant to women of reproductive age. Available data support the roles of unhealthful food choices, a sedentary lifestyle, and inadequate sleep duration in the occurrence of weight gain and obesity. Child bearing related factors such as parity, lactation, breastfeeding, gestational weight gain, and postpartum weight retention also play an important role in long-term weight gain among women. The etiology of obesity also has a genetic component. Research is needed in the most effective ways to prevent weight gain through improving diet and lifestyle, and promoting breastfeeding among women of reproductive age, including individual behavioral changes and creation of a supportive social environment. Minimizing gestational weight gain and reducing weight retention after pregnancy appear to be attractive public health interventions to reduce weight gain or obesity for women.