Stuck in a Loop of Weight Loss Resistance?
If you’ve ever struggled with weight loss resistance you know the frustration and self defeating thoughts that begin to plague one’s mind the longer the struggle becomes.
The Factors of Obesity Study - UK
This study was part of the UK government’s Tackling Obesities: Future Choices project, which explored sustainable solutions for obesity over the next 40 years. Researchers gathered scientific evidence from across multiple disciplines to create a systemic view of the problem.
This project was designed looked at how a sustainable response to obesity in the UK could be achieved over the next 40 years. Researchers gathered scientific evidence from across multiple disciplines to create a systemic view of the problem.
The project’s objectives were to:
use the scientific evidence base from across a wide range of disciplines to identify the broad range of factors that influence obesity
create a shared understanding of the relationships between the main factors influencing levels of obesity and their relative importance
build on this evidence to identify effective interventions
Causal Loop maps were developed for the Foresight Tackling Obesities project, and were designed to provide systemic insight into the multiplicity of factors contributing to the obesity epidemic.
At the heart of this study is a Causal Loop Map, a visual representation of the 108 interwoven factors contributing to obesity. These factors range from individual psychology and physiology to the culture and economics of food production, attitudes toward physical activity, and the built environment.
Now, take a moment to study the attached maps. Look closely at where diet and exercise fit within this vast network of influences.
Casual Loop Map
At the heart of this study is a Causal Loop Map, a visual representation of the 108 interwoven factors contributing to obesity. These factors range from individual psychology and physiology to the culture and economics of food production, attitudes toward physical activity, and the built environment.
Now, take a moment to study the below maps. Look closely at where diet and exercise fit within this vast network of influences.
The Bigger Picture
It’s clear—obesity isn’t just about eating less and moving more. It’s about how our bodies respond to an intricate web of internal and external forces.
🔹 Psychology: Stress, emotional triggers, and mindset play a huge role.
🔹 Physiology: Hormonal imbalances, metabolic dysfunction, and gut health impact weight regulation.
🔹 Environment & Society: Food accessibility, cultural norms, and economic factors shape our choices.
The 108 variables shown on the map - the drivers of obesity - were compiled by shiftN, from the 38 science reviews produced for the project and then vetted by the project's science team. The drivers are woven into systemic picture by the positive and negative influence arrows that link the variables into a web of causal relationships.
This map although it is speaking about the global epidemic of obesity could actually apply to most forms of chronic disease.
We are also very unique, not only in our nutritional needs but also what drives dysfunction within our bodies. Without the full understanding of ALL the drivers of dysfunction, is it any wonder we find our self going in circles with our health?
A Functional Approach to Real Change
This is where Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioners (FNTPs) make a real difference.
FNTPs are trained to dig deeper—identifying the unique root causes affecting each person’s health. They don’t rely on generic solutions; instead, they use one of the most powerful clinical tools available: the Functional Clinical Assessment.
🔍 This hands-on assessment helps FNTPs determine:
✔️ The body’s priorities for healing
✔️ Nutritional deficiencies that need support
✔️ Underlying stressors—physiological, emotional, environmental, and lifestyle-related
And the best part? It’s completely tailored to YOU.
If you’re frustrated with one-size-fits-all diets and protocols that only scratch the surface—or if you're a practitioner looking for lasting results for your clients—there’s a better way.
💡 Discover Functional Nutritional Therapy:
📖 What is Functional Nutritional Therapy?
🎓 Learn more about the Diploma
👩⚕️ Work with an FNTP
Article by Lead Instructor and Program Director Leanne Scott, FNTP.
