There is a book called "the calorie myth" which goes into the ACCEPTED science behind factors other than CICO that contributes to a person's weight. Just because Obeasts use it as bullshit condishun excuses doesn't mean it does not exist.  I don't think any of them can be used as an excuse, as you can control almost all of them just as you can CICO. Gut microbiome - have one that makes you crave sugar and junk? Not an excuse. Take probiotics and stop eating junk and sugar, it will begin to repopulate itself into a healthier one in 48 hours. Hormone imbalance?  Again - clean up your diet, get exercise/activity, and get a proper sleep pattern going. Problem solved unless you caused serious long term damage to thyroid etc. due extended self-abuse. I am not going to go into all of them. I trust you get the point. All of them are rooted in unhealthy lifestyles and can be fixed with healthy choices.