Final answer:
Increased availability of fast food restaurants contributes to higher obesity rates by providing convenient access to high-calorie meals, especially in food deserts, leading to an imbalance between calorie intake and physical activity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The cause of increased obesity rates, particularly near areas with a high density of fast food restaurants, involves both environmental factors and personal choices. The proximity to fast food restaurants may lead to more frequent consumption of high calorie and low nutrition meals.
This is especially impactful for individuals experiencing time constraints or financial limitations that make fast food a convenient choice. In areas labeled as food deserts, where access to affordable and nutritious food is limited, residents often rely on these quick and cheap food options. When more calories are consumed than expended by the body, the surplus energy gets stored as fat, leading to obesity. Notably, rates of obesity among teenagers have increased with the rise in fast food availability, underlining the importance of balancing dietary intake with physical activity for managing body weight.