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For Decades, Obesity Was Treated as an Individual Failure, but Scientific Advances Show That Body Weight Is Influenced by Thousands of Genes, Hormones, and by a Modern Environment That Favors Weight Gain
The idea that it is enough to “have willpower” to lose weight still dominates common sense. Phrases like “just eat less,” “lack of self-control,” or “it’s a matter of personal responsibility” continue to appear in public debates and social media. However, science shows that this view is simplistic and often unfair.
In an in-depth report that interviewed doctors, nutritionists, geneticists, and public health specialists, these professionals state that obesity is a multifactorial condition influenced by genetics, hormones, metabolism, food environment, and emotional factors. In other words, it is not a game with the same rules for everyone.
Furthermore, recent research indicates that willpower alone rarely overcomes deeply entrenched biological mechanisms in the human body.
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Genetics, Hormones, and the Brain: Why Losing Weight Does Not Depend Just on Choice
Scientific studies indicate that thousands of genes directly influence body weight. According to data published in the medical journal The Lancet, about 8 in 10 people believe that obesity could be avoided simply with lifestyle choices. However, this perception does not hold up against the evidence.
Endocrinologist Sadaf Farooqi from the University of Cambridge explains that genetic variants affect areas of the brain responsible for regulating hunger and satiety. As a result, some people feel hungrier, take longer to feel satisfied, and burn fewer calories, even with diet and exercise.
Moreover, hormones like leptin, produced by fat cells, send signals to the brain about the body’s energy reserves. When this system fails—something common in environments with high intake of ultra-processed foods—the brain begins to “defend” a higher weight, making it difficult to lose weight and favoring yo-yo dieting.
Therefore, restrictive diets often fail in the long term. When weight drops quickly, the body reacts as if it is in a state of scarcity. Consequently, hunger increases and metabolism slows down, making the process even more difficult.
Obesogenic Environment and the Yo-Yo Effect of Modern Diets
Although genetics is a relevant factor, it does not alone explain the global rise in obesity. After all, human genes have not changed in recent decades. What has changed significantly is the environment.
Experts refer to this scenario as an “obesogenic environment.” It is characterized by the wide availability of ultra-processed foods, rich in sugar, fat, and salt, along with aggressive marketing, larger portions, and fewer opportunities for physical activity.
In the UK, for example, more than 60% of adults are overweight or obese. Part of this is due to the fact that healthy foods cost more per calorie than less nutritious options. Thus, families on tight budgets face difficult choices on a daily basis.
Moreover, the so-called yo-yo effect occurs because the body attempts to return to its “set point” weight. This mechanism explains why many people regain lost weight, even while maintaining effort and discipline. Therefore, the failure is not with the individual but with the biological system that reacts to weight loss.
Individual Responsibility or System Failure? The Debate Continues
The debate on obesity also involves public policies. Governments have resorted to regulating advertising and taxing ultra-processed foods. Still, there are disagreements about how far the State should go.
While public health experts advocate for structural interventions, liberal sectors argue that the final responsibility lies with the individual. However, as nutritionists and doctors highlight, blaming only the individual ignores widely documented biological and social factors.
For health professionals, abandoning the idea that everything comes down to willpower does not mean denying the importance of personal effort. On the contrary. It means providing support based on science, empathy, and realistic strategies, which increase the chances of long-term success.
Understanding the limits of willpower helps reduce guilt and stigma. Additionally, it allows people to seek more appropriate treatments, including nutritional support, psychological assistance, and, when indicated, medication therapies.
After understanding the role of genetics, hormones, and the environment, do you still believe that losing weight is just a matter of willpower, or do you think this view needs to change?
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