Khaberni - Many believe that obesity is a matter of «lack of willpower» or a lack of self-control, but health experts warn: the reality is much more complex. A study that included the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and the USA found that eight out of ten people think that weight control depends entirely on lifestyle, but science tells a different story.
Endocrinology consultant at Cambridge University, Professor Sadaf Farooqi explains that genes control the amount of weight the body gains, affecting brain signals related to satiety and hunger. Notably, the MC4R gene, carried by one-fifth of the world's population, makes them feel hungrier and have a harder time feeling satiated, while other genes slow metabolism and store fats, making weight loss a significant challenge despite all efforts.
Why do diets often fail?
Obesity surgeon Andrew Jenkinson explains that each person has a «set-point weight» determined by the brain, and if the weight drops below it, the sensation of hunger increases and metabolism slows down, which explains the quick weight regain after repeated diets. Hormones like leptin control appetite and energy levels, but foods high in sugar and fats in the Western diet often disrupt these signals.
Among the major obstacles are the prevalence of ultra-processed foods, fast-food restaurants, intense advertising, and huge portions. The Director of Public Health in Newcastle, Alice Wiseman, says that «you can't go anywhere to work or school without facing the temptation of food».
While obesity expert Penny Soreish confirms that «obesity is a chronic condition shaped by biological and environmental factors. Willpower alone is not enough, and focusing the problem on self-control may do more harm than good».
Maintaining a healthy weight requires a sustainable lifestyle, regular sleep, stress management, a healthy dietary environment, and possibly medical treatment, to gradually adjust the body as a thermostat would be recalibrated.
