Gene Promoting Obesity Genes control almost every aspect of human life, and when it comes to weight there is no exception. Little is known, however, how much of an individual’s genes actually control the weight of certain individuals. Body fat can vary from person to person, yet some people have always carried more weight than others. Often times, when one person is overweight in the family, most of the other individuals in the same family are overweight as well. However, more than just genetics can go into being overweight, and a person’s genes are not the end all be all of obesity. Many times the environment surrounding people who are obese contributes to the overall weight of the individual, and when obesity promoting genes are mixed …show more content…
Some, however, have obesity promoting genes that are much worse, as a disease known as monogenic obesity exists where a single gene produces a high risk of obesity, and it becomes difficult, almost impossible, to reverse (Cimons). This disease is opposite of common obesity, where many genes are involved, and is much harder to treat and study as trying to find only one gene has proven to b difficult. However, there is no question if genes do contribute to being overweight and if this is the case, obesity now becomes much harder to treat and study as finding the exact reason as to why an individual is obese is difficult. 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 is a highly prevalent condition in America, affecting approximately one third of the adult American population. Obesity can be caused by a myriad of factors: genetics,
genetic variations effect obesity will make it much easier to prevent and treat the condition of
After breaking down the components of the biopsychosocial model in respect to childhood obesity, the literature contained some strengths and weaknesses. In the past, heredity and environmental factors were known to operate separately, however research indicates that genes affect psychological and social factors, promoting the biopsychosocial model. The Human Obesity Gene Map, published in 1994 provided research regarding the origin of obesity to mutations in genes, disorders, obesity phenotypes, or heredity. This collection of specific genes is annually updated and provides current information regarding obesity. This is a strength to the ongoing research of the etiology of obesity and how it may cause other
One might argue that genetics plays a role in obesity and that it is not always a choice. There are studies that imply
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).
Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the United States and developing countries. Although the trend of decreased physical activity and increased caloric intake is probably responsible for the recent rise in obesity, it is important to understand that these trends are playing out on a background of genetic variation in the population. Each individual's genetic background remains an important determinant of susceptibility to obesity. Discovery of the genes involved in the development of common forms of obesity, thereby identifying pathways that are causal in patients, will guide clinicians and scientists in designing more effective therapies and in identifying high-risk individuals for early intervention.
What makes obesity’s heredity particularly hard to study is that it can be tough to make out whether someone inherited the tendency to be overweight but there is no gene for obesity, or if it is diet and lifestyle habits that are likely to make a person gain weight. Families tend to develop a lot of the same eating habits (Hillary Wright).
One of the most common diseases today is called obesity or overweight. The definition of obesity is having too much body fat. The most commonly used measure of weight status today is the body mass index, or BMI. This is a simple calculation based on the ratio between height and weight. Scientist of Harvard said “ Genes are no destiny”; for example, If someone ask to an obese person “What is the cause of your obesity?”, they will probably answer the question automatically “Heredity”, but heredity probably plays a big role, but we can counteract them with a healthy lifestyle. There are the causes of obesity today.
Rankenin et al. dected over 300 genes and gene markers that have a central role in the etiology of obesity but , the specifics on which genes promote obesity and which genes are protective against obesity is unknown .However, some single-gene defects have been discovered in animals and confirmed in humans through congenital leptin deficiencies, which can lead to hyperphagia and the development of obesity. Although there are confirmed single-gene defects
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
To begin with, one of the foremost contributors to my terror of obesity is family history. According to Dr. Gordon from Ohio State University, “A child with no obese parent has only a 10% chance of becoming obese. When a child has one obese parent (common in our society), that risk advances up to 40%, and with two obese parents, it soars to 80%. Our genes help to determine metabolic rate, fuel use, and differences in brain chemistry – all of which affect body weight”. (Gordon, 2013) Indeed, my gene/DNA is the decision and action unit for my body to a certain extent in which it is coded into my essence and determines what my fleshes are no matter how eager I am to change it.
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
Obesity is one of the most genetically predisposed traits (Walley, A et al 2006). Genetic studies have shown that heritability estimates for obesity are high (typically >70%), which parallels with other polygenic diseases like
If you have these 'bad ' genes, however, you are not necessarily destined to become overweight... but you are more likely to end up obese if you over-eat.