The cause of obesity could be overeating and inactivity, a defective metabolic rate, or a combination of these factors. This article investigates the causes of obesity by reviewing studies which have examined food intake, physical activity, basal metabolic rate (BMR), and thermogenesis in relation to obesity. Energy intake is at best weakly related to obesity. Fat intake may be a more important factor in the etiology of obesity. Post- and pre-obese individuals seem to have lower weight maintenance energy requirements than “normal.” Physical activity may be a function of obesity level with lower levels of activity in the highly obese. BMR is reduced in the post-obese and is suggestive of a predisposing factor for weight gain. Thermogenesis may be blunted in a significant number of obese individuals.

中文翻译：

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肥胖是由于暴饮暴食和缺乏活动造成的，还是新陈代谢率有缺陷造成的？回顾

肥胖的原因可能是暴饮暴食和缺乏活动、代谢率缺陷或这些因素的组合。本文通过回顾与肥胖相关的食物摄入、体力活动、基础代谢率 (BMR) 和生热作用的研究来探讨肥胖的原因。能量摄入与肥胖的关系至多微弱。脂肪摄入可能是肥胖病因中更重要的因素。肥胖后和肥胖前的个体维持体重的能量需求似乎低于“正常”。身体活动可能是肥胖水平的函数，高度肥胖者的活动水平较低。肥胖后的基础代谢率降低，提示体重增加的诱发因素。许多肥胖个体的生热作用可能会减弱。