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It's easier to be fat by behavior these days but genetics definitely plays a giant role.

I once weighed nearly 300 lbs and am now in the high 180s (”normal” weight for a man my height) so I know both sides of the coin.

I do strengh training or cardio nearly every day and my friends remark at how little I eat. I determined my caloric needs to be no more than 1200-1500 calories depending on the foods. I never feel full and often times eat less than women do. Sometimes, I won't feel hungry all day if I'm stuck behind a desk.

If I eat any more than that, I gain fat instantly. My friends normally eat double that, don't work out regularly and have always been thinner. When I ate like my friends, I became 300 lbs.

Congratulations on losing so much fat. I've had to do that a few times, and it is not easy, but it can be done. Our ancestors lived in times when survival was very mucn in doubt and the food supply was always at risk, so there was a premium on the ability to store calories as fat, lest one starve.

I like to hike, and have been surprised to see people who are outright obese climbing mountains. I have also seen really old people making it to the top. However, I am reminded of the saying that there are "old pilots, and bold pilots, but no old bold pilots." I have yet to see any old obese hikers!