Obesity Epidemic: A Case Study

Genetic research of obesity was partly successful in establishing obesity in model organisms – rodents where obesity occurs spontaneously together with other pathological aspects (insulin resistance, …). The main cause of monogenic obesity in these model organisms are common mutations always present in only one gene. Results of research on model organisms allowed us to understand biological mechanisms of calorie intake and regulation and maintenance of body weight. The most important insight into obesity was achieved in 1994 after discovery of ob gene encoding for leptin. In two years period, using screening method, candidate homologous genes, selected on genetic study basis on mice, another five genes were identified. Mutations on these genes were found to be the cause of autosomal recessive or dominant monogenic obesity. Products of these genes are leptin and its receptor, proopiomelanocortin (POMC) melanocortin receptor 4 (MC4R) and

Although scientists have identified genes as being one of the factors contributing to obesity, knowing what specific genes involved would be helpful. The Friedman group decided to try and find those specific genes with a series of breeding experiments of mice. The genes were mapped out and the group found a 650-kilobase segment on mouse chromosome 6 to be responsible and named it the ob gene (for obese)(Marx). This means scientists have found a gene responsible for the obese mice which became an important step in finding treatment options for what is now looking like a complicated issue. The next question to answer was whether this gene was being produced in adipose (fat) tissue. This would help determine if the gene was responsible for creating the unneeded fat. The search paid off as one gene was found being

A person’s genetic make up has a significant influence on whether the person will become obese or not. If both parents are obese, the likelihood that their children may end up being obese too is higher compared to a situation where neither of the parents is obese or where only one of the parents is obese. This is particularly so because genetics influence the way the body stores energy and how energy is used. This can be seen in the differences that have recorded in the basal metabolic rates (BMR) among groups of people who differ by age, gender and the make up of their bodies. People who have a low metabolic rate have a higher risk of becoming overweight. The genetic similarities shared by members of one family can explain why people who come form certain families end up being overweight (DeBruyne, Pinna

Obesity, or being overweight, is a common problem today. Walk down any street in America and a large majority of people seen will be overweight or obese. Obesity is determined by a measure of body mass index (BMI), which is an indicator of fat content in the body. The BMI score can be obtained by dividing weight in pounds (multiplied by 703) by height in inches squared. A BMI of 25 to 29.9 is considered overweight while a BMI of 30 or more indicates that one is obese. Being overweight affects nearly one third of the population of the United States, with another one third obese, and a portion of those are considered morbidly obese (a BMI of 40 or more). This statistic includes adults, adolescents, and school-aged children. Glassman, Glassman,

Although the mechanism of obesity development is not fully understood, it is confirmed that obesity occurs when energy intake exceeds energy expenditure. There are multiple etiologies for this imbalance, hence, and the rising prevalence of obesity cannot be addressed by a single etiology (Dehghan et al., 2005, p.

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

It is no secret that the average weight of a person has gone up significantly throughout the last decade or so. While people are becoming more and more overweight, they get closer to being categorized as obese. Obesity is a condition in which the body becomes grossly fat or overweight. It is not the same as simply being overweight, which may just be caused by extra muscle, bone, or water, along with having too much fat. If a person’s body weight is 20% higher than what it should be, then he or she is considered to be obese. If the body mass index, a statistical measurement derived from height and weight, is between 25 and 29.9, a person is considered overweight. If the BMI is 30 or over, one is considered to be obese. Someone who is

The WHO classifies an adult with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or above as being obese. The BMI tool is used globally, and is calculated by dividing a person’s body weight in kilograms by their height in inches. Bostram and Eliasson (2006) argue a serious weakness with BMI is that the measure cannot differentiate between fat and muscle mass, and that a change in girth or abdominal circumference is a better reflection on the onset of obesity among other associated problems such as type 2 diabetes. Obesity is one of the major public health issues affecting society and is fast becoming a major cause of death across the globe. Seidell & Halberstadt (2015) indicate that the prevalence of obesity is growing at an alarming rate, and over the last thirty years, overnutrition and obesity has transformed from a minor health issue which affected only the most affluent of societies, to being a major threat to public health throughout the world.

The Walt Disney production “Wall-E” is a portrayed image of what our world could soon become. If you aren’t familiar with what the film is about, it is about obese humans relying on technology to do everything and anything for them. They weren’t concerned with their health at all, ordering jumbo soda and super-sized meals of fast food, for every meal. As Wall-E broads the ship and knocks some humans out of their delusional life style, they begin to realize something is seriously wrong with their health. Maybe it was because they couldn’t walk or maybe it was the realization that they couldn’t do anything for themselves. To make sure this doesn’t happen to the people of our world today, there is

Obesity can be understood using a reductionist approach by investigating its link to genetics. One can isolate genes and discover their effect on obesity. This reductionist approach takes obesity and breaks it down to a narrow focus that can be tested. A reductionist approach was used in a study where researchers

Obesity is a growing problem worldwide. Obesity causes serious health problems and is associated with substantial economic burdens in today's society. In the past, several generic epidmiological approaches have been use to identify genetic linkage to obesity. Evidence has developed that suggest obesity involved hormones and neurotransmitters hypothesized. Obesity is thought to be environmental since, food is plentiful year around.

The topic that I have chosen to look at is obesity. The aim of this topic is to find out whether “the ignorance of genetics as a contra factor of obesity”. I have chosen to look at this topic because obesity is concerns me. Obesity has always been a bid debate for a long time now and I was intrigued to find out more about the topic and the cause of obesity. The fact that obesity has made deadlines news in recent years. There are a lot of misconceptions about obesity such as overweight is caused by a sow metabolism. There have been a lot of beliefs and myths about obesity in society today and he above myths is on of them. According to Donnellan (1998) ‘ ‘people who are overweight have told their doctors that they eat no more and

During the research, it is found that triacylglycerols and fatty acids are not the only reason for people to become obese. Genetic factors are also a part of reasons for obesity. The gene decides some people are born with a tendency to obesity and this theory is based on the ‘Thrifty gene hypothesis’ raised by geneticist James V. Neel in 1962. The idea of ‘Thrifty gene hypothesis’ is that in ancient times, for hunter-gather populations ‘Thrifty gene’ would allow them to fatten more quickly when they have enough food. This is an advantage for them because with ‘Thrifty gene’ they can survive the famine. But in modern societies, this gene is useless because people have sufficient food and they don’t need to worry about

The ease of slipping on a pair of jeans turns into a battle between a thigh and pant leg while exerting too much pressure on the diaphragm; a loss of breath incurs. How can obesity be defined? This can be described as a critical medical condition in which the body fat has been accumulated in an abnormal way especially in the abdominal area. To be considered obese, a person’s Body Mass Index (BMI) must be 30 or greater, and this measurement can be calculated by dividing the person’s height and weight. Without having the need to find data, just looking around, more people are becoming overweight or obese. Where one problem begins,

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,