I think you make many great points but I just want to correct a few things. Diabetes 2 is not always the result of over eating. There is a genetic component to it. I feel that there is a lot of misunderstanding about Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 so I just wanted to correct that. As shitlords, we should try to be as factual as we can instead of misinforming the public like the obeasts. We should never stoop to their level. Although we are all prone to anecdotal evidence, just because antidepressants didn't cause weight gain for you doesn't mean they don't cause weight gain for everyone else. Additionally, Lexapro is just one of the few medications that are listed under antidepressants. Another antidepressant, called mirtazepine, actually increases appetite and weight and some people experience that side effect more than others.  As you alluded to, some birth control (e.g. estrogen-containing oral contraceptives) can cause weight gain. I'm not sure why you wouldn't wish IUDs or implants on your worst enemy as they are highly effective and really great but that's a different subject. It's not that simple to switch from one form of BC to another depending on your life style and ability to be compliant. Some psychiatric problems and medications actually REQUIRE a woman to be on another form of birth control besides condoms. I think the most important thing to note about birth control that can cause weight gain is that it rarely causes a big weight gain. Perhaps people will gain 5-10 pounds but it sure isn't an excuse for obesity. I guess I can use myself as an anecdotal evidence. I gained weight when I went on an estrogen based oral contraceptive (went from 90 to 97 lbs). This is despite keeping my diet the same and increasing my exercise.  Something not mentioned - antipsychotics. Dear god some of these cause big weight gains and some of it can be extreme. With moderate to severe psychiatric illnesses, if we find a drug that really works for you, we want you to stick with it as long as the side effects don't cause you to be non-compliant or truly hurt you. Here is one source for antipsychotics causing extreme weight gain. If you've ever seen someone with uncontrolled schizophrenia, you'll most likely understand why the weight gain is the least of anyone's concern. Over all, these conditions and/or medications do not explain the ridiculous obesity rates in America. For the most part, these are not excuses to justify being fat. I just really don't like misinforming people and grabbing pitchforks off of misinformation.