The complex interaction of causing and resulting factors of overweight/obesity Increasing the understanding of the problem and deducing requirements for prevention strategies

Summary In order to demonstrate the complexity of overweight/obesity, a literature-based, qualitative cause-effect-model was developed applying nutrition-ecological modelling (NutriMod). By visualising many multicausal and multidimensional interrelated causes and effects of overweight/obesity, the model illustrates two factors directly causing overweight/obesity: energy balance and biological factors. All other factors influence overweight/obesity in particular via energy balance and thus indirectly via cause-effect chains. These cause-effect chains can join to feedback loops and thereby result in reinforcing vicious circles. The model increases the understanding of the complex interaction of overweight/obesity by gaining knowledge on cause-effect chains, feedback loops, multicausality and multidimensionality. Therefore, it serves as a good basis for the development of effective prevention measures.