What is the main cause of excess stored body fat?

The primary cause of excess stored body fat is consuming more calories than are expended. This fundamental concept is rooted in the principles of energy balance, where weight gain occurs when there is a caloric surplus—meaning the number of calories taken in through food and beverages exceeds the number of calories burned through basal metabolic functions and physical activity.

When the body receives more energy than it requires for its daily functions and activities, the surplus calories are converted into fat and stored in adipose tissue. This process is critical to understanding weight management and emphasizes the importance of monitoring caloric intake along with physical activity levels.

In contrast, genetic factors, age-related metabolism, and water retention can influence body composition and weight but are not the direct cause of excess stored body fat. Genetics can predispose individuals to certain patterns of fat distribution or metabolic rates, while metabolism tends to slow with age, potentially impacting caloric needs. Water retention may cause temporary fluctuations in weight but does not contribute to an increase in body fat stores. The essential takeaway is the energy balance equation, which highlights that excess fat is fundamentally a result of consuming more calories than the body uses.