Interplay of Genetics and Lifestyle in Obesity

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Obesity is a physical condition that is associated with having excessive and unhealthy amounts of body fat, often caused by individual behaviours, social factors and genetics. It is the interrelationship of these determinants that result in the poor overall physical health of an individual and the broader population. To improve on the significantly high levels of obesity in the population, all detrimental causes of the issue need to be addressed extensively and promptly.

Whilst there are many contributors that directly and indirectly cause obesity, genetics, social factors and individual behaviours are all categorised as the main culprits. The individual behavioural aspect relates to the individual’s food choices and the amount …show more content…

The social factors reflect on the environmental surroundings in which an individual resides in. This aspect involves socioeconomic factors such as employment, education and income as well as sociocultural factors such as family, media and peers. The levels of education a person possesses directly affects their overall health due to their potential lack of understanding in relation to nutrition and exercise, resulting in obesity. Employment and income are directly linked and influence an individual’s physical health due to the amount of money they maintain. Typically, unhealthy processed foods are cheaper and more readily available, making them the preferred option for people in a lower socioeconomic class. An individual’s family and peers directly affects a person’s health due to their significant influence on their lifestyle choices, which also concerns the activities they participate in and the food they indulge in, thus, creating the potential for obesity. The media also shapes an individual’s health decisions through advertising. The comprehensive and persuasive advertising that is plastered throughout popular technology outlets by companies who offer unhealthy meals, such as McDonalds, only coaxes people into purchasing and consuming these foods which causes health issues such as

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