The energy imbalance is caused when our calories (a measurement of energy) intake is higher than what is used by the body for the metabolic processes such as breathing, regulation of body temperature, digestion etc.
The calories that we take in, come from the what we eat or drink. The amount of energy that is left after the use in bodily functions is stored for the future use. This energy is stored in liver cells as glycogen and as triglycerides in the fat tissues.
The energy imbalances may also be caused by other factors such as hormonal disorders l e, hypothyroidism. Certain genetic disorders and medications can also cause the weight gain.
When the weight gain is excessive, it is called as obesity and leads to other complications such as metabolic syndrome, hypertension, artherosclerosis, diabetes etc.
Obesity is an increasingly social and medical problem all over the world and refers to having too much body fat.
However, it is not like being overweight which refers to weighing too much. A person may be overweight because of extra muscle or bone or water retention in the body.
Both result in a person having more than the recommended healthy body weight.
This could cause a host of medical problems like osteoarthritis, gallstones, liver problems, heart diseases, high blood pressure, high triglycerides, high cholesterol, diabetes, sleep neap etc.
