How can diseases cause obesity?

2.72K viewsBiologyOther

I just watched an episode of House and he diagnosed a girl with Cushing’s – an illness that can cause obesity.

How is that possible? I was under the impression that our bodies use energy we get from food, and if it doesn’t get the food it’ll burn fat resulting in us getting slimmer – how can a disease change that?

How does it not go against some laws of thermodynamics? Maybe I’m just being silly.

In: Biology

27 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

You have a lot more reading/education ahead. You have the very basic formula. But just like cars get varying fuel economy, so do humans.

My brother and I are perfect examples. We grew up together, did the same activities, ate the same meals, went to the same school, etc. He was always heavy/fat and I was always skinny and thin.

Git biome, medical conditions, genetics, etc all play a role in weight.

But yes, basically calories in – calories burned = weight. However, the efficiency of burning calories, how the body stores fat vs burning it, and a myriad of other factors tweak that formula.

I say all of this because I had an ex with a medical condition that kept her heavy. She used it as an excuse to overeat and never exercise. The disease was a factor, but her lifestyle played a bigger part imo. (I managed health clubs for 5 years out of college, I’m very aware of fitness and weight loss science)

You are viewing 1 out of 27 answers, click here to view all answers.