Obesity: A Genetic Analysis

Obesity is a leading preventable cause of death worldwide and its prevalence is increasing at an alarming rate (Barness et al, 2007). For thousands of years obesity was rarely seen, it was not until the 20th century that it became common, some much so that in 1997, the World Health Organization (WHO) formally recognized obesity as a global epidemic (Caballero, 2007).

Genetics can play a role in obesity. “Offspring of obese parents are much more likely to become obese than offspring of lean parents”, according to what Kris Gunnars wrote on https://www.healthline.com. Even though our future cannot be determined by our genes, genes can have a major

Obesity remains an extremely serious issue worldwide. Once considered a problem for wealthier counties, overweight and obesity are now dramatically increasing in low and middle income countries (WHO, 2011). In American, the rates of obesity continue to soar. CDC (2009) recognizes obesity as a risk factor for diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and other health problems. According to NHANES over two-thirds of the US are overweight or obese, and over one-third are obese (CDC, 2009). Treatment for this illness varies; it may include the incorporation of diet, exercise, behavior modification, medication, and surgery. Since there is no single cause of all overweight and obesity, there is no single way to prevent or treat overweight

Over the last few decades, obesity has become a major public health issue across most Western countries. In Canada, the adult obesity rate increased from 10% in 1970/72 to 26% in 2009/11; from 8% to 27% in men and 12% to 25% in women (Janssen, 2013). According to recent data on measured weights and heights from 2011 indicate that over 60% of Canadian adults are overweight and obese (Statistics Canada, 2012). There are major health and economic consequences that could potentially arise from obesity such stroke, type 2 diabetes, respiratory problems and breast cancer. This of course leads to increased healthcare utilisation and decreased productivity.

Obesity presents numerous health risks, both physical and mental. Obesity has been linked to or is a risk factor for many non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease (including stroke and heart) type two diabetes, many cancers (including breast, colorectal….), musculoskeletal conditions such as osteoarthritis, depression and mental health disorders. Obesity along with all of the alarming health implications have the ability to

As a Canadian population, trends have proven that obesity has become a major concern. Around the globe, there are 400 million people who are obese and one billion people who are over weight. Therefore in today’s world obesity plays a very vital role in human lives. Obesity is the state of being overweight, which is caused by consuming large amounts of fats and sugars, which is gathered and stored in our bodies as fats. If a person’s bodyweight is 20% higher than what it should be, it results in the person being obese.

The last decade has welcomed, with open arms, a new epidemic: obesity. Currently in the United States, more than one-third of adults, 35.7%, and approximately 17% of children and adolescents are obese. Obesity is not only a problem in the US but also worldwide with its prevalence doubling in high income and economically advanced countries and is also growing in under-developed areas. Its incidence rate is continually increasing with each successive generation and in each age group, including the elderly (Byles, 2009; Dorner and Rieder, 2011).

indicate that inherited genetic variation is an important risk factor for obesity. It was also pointed

The problem of obesity has reached the epidemic levels in the US. More than 65% of the American adults are classified obese these days. This is a very huge number. Today Americans are plagued by diseases of which 120000 are because of obesity. An obese person in America is likely to incur $1,429 more in medical expenses annually. Approximately $147 billion is spent in added medical expenses per year within the United States. Although obesity is considered a preventable condition and has been increasing within the United States, no effective treatment has been developed. Health authorities anticipate no change to this vector. Of all the big countries, only

In America, obesity is found in relatively every community. Several factors contribute to this problem, three of them are dietary options, genetics, and inactive lifestyles. According to the National Center for Health Statistic, since the 1970’s the rate of obesity has doubled in children and adults. Unfortunately this public health problem, in America, is ongoing.

In addition to obesity leading to other health problems, obesity stems from numerous causes such as genetic, environmental, and sociological factors. Other

It was merely a decade ago that the obesity epidemic was thought to only be a minor problem and had only alarmed a small number of endocrinologists interested by the size of the situation (James, 2008). However today, the problem of obesity is vast with more awareness of its presence by doctors and individuals alike. In fact, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention states, “More than one-third (34.9% or 78.6 million) of U.S. adults are obese (CDC, 2014)”. These numbers are outrageous and eye opening, leaving millions looking for a solution to this troubling epidemic. Obesity is not simply a cosmetic flaw as some might think, but is actually a very dangerous state of being for any individual to sustain long-term. Mentioned further in

Obesity is disease that involving environmental, genetic, physiologic, metabolic, and psychological components. Obesity is cause of many diseases and psychological problems. There are many causes of obesity overeating, lack of physical activity, the environment. Obesity tends to run in families, implying genetic factors. The search for an obesity gene is complicated because families also tend to share eating habits and lifestyle habits. Eating fast food such as, French fries, pizza, cheeseburgers and drinking Coca-Cola are the top metabolism in American society. By consuming such foods and drinks regularly, people are slowing their metabolism but I have a brother who always drinks soft drink everyday and still he is skinny, while other people

Hello Judith, you make a great point on how obesity has known to be hereditary. I was not aware that when one has the obesity gene they may have more problem trying to lose weight due to problem at the biological level. I too agree with you statement how many of these children suffer from a physiological stand point. Promoting health from an early age can be the best way to prevent

Everybody knows the child that can eat any type of food all day and never seem to gain weight. This occurrence has led researchers to investigate the role that genetics plays in childhood obesity. Not all children who are inactive or who eat poorly are obese, much in the same way that some obese children eat fairly healthy, and exercise moderately. Heredity has recently been shown to influence body fat percentage, regional fat storage, and the body?s response to overeating (Rush, 1). Children who have obese parents are 80% more likely to be obese than their lean parented counterparts (Buffington, 16). This familial correlation is contributed to genetics as well as the parents eating habits. Children with obese parents typically aren?t taught the correct way to choose when and what food to eat, leading to poor eating habits and eventually obesity. Many genetic defects can have a significant effect on obesity such as variable thyroid activity and pituitary defects. Abnormalities in any one of these regulators could be responsible for appetite abnormalities and weight gain. Furthermore, obesity leads to defects in appetite regulation, hormone production, and metabolic events (Oklahoma Cooperative, 4) that are responsible for further weight gain,