There are hundreds of myths going around as to obesity causes, though in fact obesity is caused by any number of factors. Because of these myths about obesity causes, people with obesity are often persecuted for stereotypes. In fact, however, many of these supposed obesity causes are untrue, and people who have difficulties with obesity often have little control in their health and happiness.

1. Laziness is one of the main obesity causes

In fact, studies show that genetics are perhaps one of the biggest obesity causes. Environment, diet, and exercise do play a major role, but many groups, including the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) firmly acknowledge that genetics are a huge factor in obesity causes. People who are obese may be lazy, or they may not be; it depends on the person, just as it does for anyone else.

2. Obesity will kill you

People with obesity do, in fact, have a higher risk of death (though there are a few studies that dispute this), but not all people with obesity will have all of the effects that supposedly obesity causes. It’s true that it appears obesity causes many complications with health, however, people who are obese can be healthy by maintaining a healthy level of exercise and eating well.

3. 65% of Americans are obese

It is true that 65% of Americans are considered obese by the federal government, but some groups such as Obesity Myths suggest that this may be because the American government has unreasonable standards for obesity. Furthermore, they say that while the government considers high levels of fat and poor health to be all of the obesity causes, many obese people are actually only overweight because of their high amount of muscles inflates their weight. Of course, many people are obese because of fat, but many groups suggest that the 65% numbers are a bit too high.

4. Obesity kills 400,000 people a year in America

In 2004, the CDC published a study saying that 400,000 Americans died every year as a result of obesity. However, a little more than a year later they published another report saying that the primary study was flawed and that the real numbers were actually closer to 26,000 deaths per year. While the CDC itself acknowledged this, the myth that obesity causes death at a hugely increased rate has not abated.