5 Hidden Causes of Obesity: Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (ARNA), VIVUS Inc. (VVUS)

The other thing that really can contribute to obesity that many people may not be aware of is drugs. Various medications — either medications for depression, medications for heart disease, medications for allergies, medications for diabetes as well, which is an issue — can all lead to increases in weight gain.

There’s a myriad of factors. There can be psychological factors. Many people who are struggling from either depression or anxiety can have problems with weight. Alcoholism can be a contributor to weight, so there’s various mood issues also.

Or people who are immobile — if you get injured, you’re in a wheelchair, you have severe osteoarthritis, that can aggravate weight as well, because then you’re not able to move.

Quitting smoking — there’s a lot of different factors, Max, that contribute to obesity, which is why it’s so complicated.

The article 5 Hidden Causes of Obesity originally appeared on Fool.com.

Max Macaluso, Ph.D., and The Motley Fool have no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Dr. Rubino was a clinical investigator for the obesity drugs developed by Arena Pharmaceuticals, VIVUS, and Orexigen Therapeutics, but she has no position in any of the stocks mentioned and no financial relationships with any of the companies mentioned.

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