The problem is inactivity and overeating. Diet and processed foods are a huge problem. But if this is a disease, it’s caused by consumerism and federal welfare.
Back in the early 90’s I worked at Safeway. Mothers brought in WIC cards for milk. People paid for foodstuffs with paper food stamps. There was a built-in humility that made people want to avoid the situation.
It’s the same humility that could have held single parenthood in check. Well, if no-fault divorce wasn’t possible.
The problem is inactivity and overeating.
Sorry, but no. If that were true, diet and exercise would succeed, but the long term success rate of diet and exercise only rarely exceeds 5%.
Obesity is a most commonly a symptom of disregulated fat metabolism. And lethargy and hunger are also symptoms of a disregulated fat metabolism.
If you fix your fat metabolism, you will eat less because you won't be hungry all the time, and you will exercise more, because you won't be tired all the time, and you will lose weight. But it won't be because of the diet and exercise - it will be because you addressed the actual problem.