Table 2.

Non-exhaustive list of determinants of obesity in individuals vs those of obese populations in most high-income countries

	Causes of cases: individual risk Why do some individuals in a population become obese?	Causes of incidence: population risk Why do some populations become obese whereas others do not?
Common causes	Quantitative and qualitative imbalance in diet Lack of physical activity
Distinctive causes	Genetic predisposition Diseases, metabolic and endocrine disorders Medications associated with weight gain Lack of richness and diversity in gut microbiota Age Lack of food and nutrition literacy Psychological factors	Food markets making high-energy and ultra-processed foods widely available, low-priced, delivered in large portion sizes, and/or prominently marketed Agricultural policies and subsidies promoting the production of less healthy foods Built environment and transportation policies promoting physical inactivity School and workplace environment not encouraging healthy eating and physical activity Loss of traditional culture around food, cooking and meals Values associated with slimness and fatness