The answer can be found in obese people. Obesity has always existed in humans. The question has been rather if it is genetic or if it is a person's lifestyle choices. Obesity has affected my friends, family, and at times myself and even when people make the right health choices they still seem to struggle with it. Millions of people battle with obesity and it is imperative to find the root cause of it. We are aware that our genetic makeup determines our traits and contributes to our health. So is obesity a genetic predisposition or is it a result of processed foods and lack of exercise? There are certainly environmental factors in obesity but overall it is genetic.
“As early as in 2007 researchers identified the first 'obesity gene' known as the FTO gene (Fat mass and obesity-associated protein) but after having studied the FTO genes for six years, they are still not sure how this gene variant affects obesity. They do, however, know that people with FTO have an increased risk of obesity.” (Sjorgen, 2013) In the research conducted by the Institute of Preventive Medicine at Fredricksberg Hospital researchers found that when one of the components of DNA ( adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine) has been replaced by another it causes the gene to behave differently. This causes the predisposition for the gene of obesity. These researchers believe the solution to genetic obesity will be found within the next ten years.
When researching the relation between obesity and genes, researchers often question if it is one gene or influenced by many genes. In the research that discovered the FTO gene it would appear that obesity is linked to one gene. Variation of the FTO gene affects one in six of the population. Individuals with the...
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... the discovery of the FTO gene and other gene mutations researchers are on the path to find the different genetic causes of obesity. Once those causes are found hopefully new methods of prevention will be introduced.
Works Cited
Bo XI, Jie MI, Genome-wide Association Studies of Common Obesity: Now and Future, Biomedical and Environmental Sciences, Volume 26, Issue 10, October 2013, Pages 787- 791
Harvard School of Public Health.(n.d.) Genes are not destiny. Retrieved October, 2013 from http://hsph.harvard.edu
Lepore, C. (2013). Genetic mutation linked to severe obesity. Retrieved October, 2013 from http://www.childrenshospital.org
Sjogren, K. (2013). Seven New Genetic Causes of Obesity Identified. Retrieved October, 2013, from HTTP://sciencenordic.com
UCL.(2013) How obesity triggers weight gain. Retrieved November, 2013, from http://ucl.ac.uk
This chapter gives various social and biological reasons for the growing world-wide health concern of obesity. Name them and views - why is the reality of weight for most people so far from the cultural or societal ideal?
The third and final reason obesity is not a genetic disorder is that obesity is often just the result of eating too many calories without enough exercise. With obesity the problem is the person afflicted by it is not exercising or being active enough to burn off the calories they have consumed. When this happens the body stores the extra energy in fat deposits between organs. This essentially turns the human body into a refrigerator, as mentioned in the documentary by Cross. By adopting a healthy lifestyle where one is both active and eating a healthy diet, anyone can avoid the growing plague of
Although inherited conditions have been linked to childhood obesity, they are rare. However it has been noted that children with obese or overweight parents are more than likely to be obese themselves, the reason for this as described by Heaton-Harris (2007) is because of the length of time it takes to break a bad habit. Unless the parents are correctly informed of healthy diets themselves the problem will continue from an ill-informed childhood into adult hood. Other probable causes are numerous ones. Fast food and processed foods becoming more read...
Genetics plays a major role in obesity; inherited genes sometimes contribute to the accumulation of fat in the body. Over 200 genes have effect on the weight having repercussions from physical activity, food choices and metabolism. Therefore, genes may increase the vulnerability of a person to become obese. Family eating patterns and social tendencies can also trigger obesity. Moreover, environmental circumstances such as availability of food high in calories and fat and the increase of the portions and combination selections in meals contribute to the development of fat accumulated for years in the body (Whitney & Rolfes, 2011, pg. 277).
instrument of the advancement of obesity is not fully recognized and it is understood to be a
Amongst one of the bigger health issues in United States children is obesity. Obesity is a condition in which a person has accumulated an excess amount of body fat that it has become detrimental to their health. To track this health professionals use the term “obese” when a person has a body mass index (BMI) of over 30. Although BMI should not be the only determining factor of whether or not you child is obese as it only takes into account of height and weight, it is one of the better known systems of telling whether or not a person is overweight or obese (Nichols). Obesity comes with a range of other health conditions that can include but are not limited to cancer, diabetes, and depression. Not only do children and teens who suffer from obesity acquire many health diseases, they also tend to get failing grades and are bullied amongst peers. Most Americans correlate being obese with having an unhealthy lifestyle, but according to a 2006 Fox News article there may be other factors that attribute to obesity that include smoking, medicine, pollution, technology and lack of sleep. (“10 Causes of Obesity Other Than Overeating”). One part that does although indeed play a role in to child obesity rates is economics.
Although many individuals are uncertain about the increasing statistics associated with obesity, more than seventy percent of men and virtually sixty-two percent of women within the United States adult population are overweight or obese (Wilmore, Costill, & Kenney). Obesity refers to the condition of having an excessive amount of body fat. If an individual’s amount of body fat becomes too excessive, he/she is at a much greater risk of developing life-altering diseases such as heart failure, hypertension, type II diabetes, cancer, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, etc. (Wilmore, et al., 2008).
Childhood obesity is a serious problem among American children. Some doctors are even calling childhood obesity an epidemic because of the large percentage of children being diagnosed each year as either overweight or obese. “According to DASH sixteen to thirty-three percent of American children each year is being told they are obese.” (Childhood Obesity) There is only a small percentage, approximately one percent, of those children who are obese due to physical or health related issues; although, a condition that is this serious, like obesity, could have been prevented. With close monitoring and choosing a healthier lifestyle there would be no reason to have such a high obesity rate in the United States (Caryn). Unfortunately, for these children that are now considered to be obese, they could possibly be facing some serious health conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, and some types of cancers. All of these diseases have been linked to obesity through research. These children never asked for this to happen to them; however, it has happened, and now they will either live their entire life being obese, or they will be forced to reverse what has already been done (Childhood Obesity).
The present public health problem has become a great public concern and the future of these children and future adults has also been brought to attention. For example, "as obese children are more than likely to become obese adults, they are at an increased risk for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, and several cancers" (Gollust, 2014). Research has also indicated that the current generation of children are on track to have shorter lives than their parents because of increasing rates of obesity (Gollust, 2014).
According to an article in Oxford Journals, “There is substantial evidence for the hereditability of obesity, and research in both rare and common forms of obesity has identified genes with significant roles in its etiology” (Genetics…).
Metcalf, T., & Metcalf, G. (Eds.). (2008). Perspectives on Diseases and Disorders: Obesity. Farmington Hills, MI: Gale Cengage Learning
Thousands of Americans consume fast food too often and get obese from overeating these high calorie foods. A poor diet, like eating fast food, is a main reason fast food is unhealthy because fast food is high in fats, carbohydrates, sugars, and calories. Though fast food is not the only contributor to Americans being obese. Americans are also obese because they lack daily exercise because today’s technology tempts them to stay indoors and not go outside to play or exercise. Some Americans give the excuse that they are born with medical problems or their genetics do not let them lose weight easily, but some Americans have these problems. Some medical conditions that do not let people lose weight are hypothyroidism and Cushing's syndrome. Genetics, genes that decide what you look like and act like, also can cause some people to become obese, but it’s rare to have this genetic problem, according to
Obesity occurs in all countries and it is one of the gravest problems in modern society. Obesity problems have become one matter of concern for individuals all around the world. What is more is that Obesity rates continue to rise all around the world. One of the chief causes is unhealthy diets. Obesity is also due to lack of exercise and lack of education and awareness. Therefore obesity has various effects including the risk of suffering from a range of health conditions, increased expenditure on health care and lack of self-esteem.
Obesity is a common condition that affects thousands around the world. Its causes may vary from simply eating too much to not getting the exercise needed to attempting to quit smoking. Treatment of this condition may be as simple as getting the right diet or exercise, or a planned schedule from one’s physician. Obesity may be heredity or may be a result of any of the above mentioned causes. It is a serious matter to be dealt with yet may be treated easily.
There are many causes of obesity. Of course some obese teens cannot help the fact that they are overweight. Genetics and s...