Which statement best describes the causal pathway from caloric excess to obesity and increased chronic disease risk?

• A. Caloric intake greater than energy expenditure leads to storage of excess energy as adipose tissue, causing weight gain and metabolic changes that increase risk for diabetes and cardiovascular disease
• B. Caloric excess immediately converts dietary protein into insulin, causing direct heart failure without weight gain
• C. Obesity is caused solely by genetic factors and caloric intake has no influence on chronic disease development
• D. Eating more calories than burned reduces fat mass and therefore paradoxically lowers chronic disease risk

Answer: (A)