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Genetic Disorders: The Cause Of Obesity

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OBESITY Obesity is a disorder that involves an excessive amount of body fat that increases the risk of diseases and health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. (Mayo Clinic) Obesity is one of the number one causes of premature death in the United States and kills nearly 300,000 Americans a year. (Obesity Society) There are many causes for obesity including inactivity, unhealthy diet and eating habits, genetics, hormonal changes, certain medications, and other medical problems. There are also many ways that obesity can be treated including exercising, diet, weight-loss medication, weight-loss surgery, and behavior change. (Mayo Clinic) Most people will work with certified doctors and nutritionist to help …show more content…

Genes are what gives the body its’ instructions on responding to changes in its environment. Recent brain images find that individuals that are at risk for obesity show relatively greater activation in the brain’s reward centers in general. Studies show that they have heightened responses to images of food and poorer impulse control. (Adolescence Page 45) (Batterink, Yokum, & Stice, 2010.) Genes can cause obesity in disorders like Bardet-Biedi syndrom and Prader-Willi syndrome. (CDC Obesity, Causes and Consequences) Obesity is shown to be in larger amounts in Black women, poor families, Latinos, and Native Americans. (Adolescence page 46) (Burdette & Needham, 2012) One hypothesis is the “ thrift genotype” hypothesis which states that our ancestors are said to have different genotype that helped them survive famines, where today food is everywhere and our bodies do not have to suffer. (CDC Obesity Genomics and Health) The actual research on genetic variation that affects response to change a persons diet and their physical activity is still at an very early stage. Nobody can change their genes, but everyone is able to change the way that they eat and their physical activity to help improve the health of themselves along with the health of their …show more content…

Hormones are chemical messengers that their job is to regulate processes in our bodies. Such hormones as leptin, growth hormone, sex hormone, and insulin are all hormones that have influence on our metabolism, appetite, and our body fat distribution. Leptin is the hormone that is responsible to reduce a person’s appetite by acting on the right spots on the brain to lower the need to eat. This hormone also is the manager of controlling where the body stores fat. Leptin levels are higher in obese people. Another hormone that is produced in the pancreas is insulin and it is important to regulate carbs and the metabolism of fat. (better health, obesity and hormones) Obese people have issues with their insulin where the signals are just lost and their tissues cannot control their glucose levels. This of course leads to type II diabetes. (better health, obesity and hormones) The growth hormone is produced in the pituitary gland. This hormone influences the height of a person and helps build muscle and bone. The growth hormone affects metabolism also. People that are obese have lower levels of the growth hormone in their body than people who are normal weight. Sex hormones, such as estrogen and androgens, are also hormones that play a role in obesity. Studies have shown that a lack of estrogen leads to excessive weight gain. (Better Health, Obesity) Hormone levels are encouraged to be checked for people whom

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