I could go on describing each one of these factors and how they impact obesity. The big picture to consider is the same one that we hear numerous times regarding many different conditions: "Genetics loads the gun, and environment pulls the trigger." The tremendous rise in obesity and associated comorbidities begs health care providers, policymakers, and the general society to consider interventions that address the issue in a broad manner, rather than blaming the individual and reducing the debate to simply being a matter of over eating and energy balance.
Research indicates that broad issues such as socioeconomic status, the built environment, and changes in dietary patterns have all contributed to the rising prevalence of obesity. In addition, these factors do not impact obesity in isolation. They overlap and influence each other, and greater understanding of these relationships is required to enhance our ability to create meaningful interventions. Considering obesity from a multi-factorial model also allows us to use a bigger toolkit aiding with prevention and management strategies. For instance, considering addiction to food as a cause of obesity among some people, and use of strategies used among mental health and addiction issues may be worthwhile to consider.
It is also important to remember that health care workers and policymakers will need to integrate information and strategies from different professions to make future interventions more successful. We need to be able to draw from diverse backgrounds ranging from architects and civil engineers involved in building design and urban planning to nutritionists and physicians to tackle the deficits in health that are created by our environment.
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