Relation Between Obesity And Genetics Essay Example

contributed to the global obesity epidemic. The number of overweight adults worldwide has surpassed one billion without any indication that the rapid growth in obesity witnessed over the past two decades will slow down.

The World Health Organization has classified overweight as a significant risk factor for global disease burden, ranking it in the top 10. In developed nations, it is among the top 5 risk factors. Obesity occurs due to an imbalance in energy levels, influenced by genetic predisposition and environmental factors. The long-term connection between energy intake, expenditure, nutrient distribution, and adiposity determines the amount of stored energy in the body. When there is a consistent surplus of energy intake compared to expenditure and when fuel distribution favors storing lipids and oxidizing carbohydrates, fat cells increase leading to overall body fat gain.

Both lifestyle and ecological factors contribute to the acknowledged determinants of obesity, but genetic associations also play a significant role. These genetic associations interact with important environmental factors, highlighting the importance of an obesogenic environment for obesity to manifest. Hence, genes and the environment have a dependent relationship where the severity of obesity greatly relies on lifestyle and environmental conditions when there is a genetic predisposition.

Is Obesity a Genetic Disorder

The question of whether obesity is caused by genetics arises due to the significant suffering and financial consequences linked to this persistent condition. Obesity amplifies the likelihood of various health issues including diabetes, hypertension, asthma, heart disease, sleep apnoea, cancer, and osteoarthritis. In uncommon instances, obesity can be ascribed to a particular gene mutation that impacts the body's energy balance and thus becomes an inherited disorder. The severity of this condition stems from both

genetic factors and environmental factors (Grant, 98).

The observation that an individual recombinant protein can reverse obesity caused by a single-gene transformation is intriguing. However, it is challenging to identify cases of genetic obesity due to the need for evaluating multiple genes. Based on available data, hereditary obesity appears to contribute to at least 5% of all obesity cases and a significant portion of extremely obese individuals. Widespread obesity can be categorized into two groups: those with a strong genetic predisposition and those with a minor genetic vulnerability. Unlike the former group, individuals with a strong genetic predisposition do not have an identifiable biological issue solely attributed to one gene or transformation.

In an obesogenic environment, individuals are at risk of becoming overweight and potentially severely obese. The current obesity epidemic cannot be solely attributed to changes in genetics. Rather, it is more likely a result of the surrounding environment that encourages consumption and discourages energy-expending behaviors. This leads to maladaptive behaviors that contribute to obesity.

Conclusion

The rapid increase in weight within the population over the past three decades is not due to biological flaws but rather the influence of an obesogenic setting.

Work cited

1. Bell, Myrtle P. Diversity in Organizations. Mason, Ohio: South-Western College, 2012. Print.
2. Grant, Struan. Genetics of Obesity. S.l.: SPRINGER-VERLAG NEW YORK, 2016. Print.
3. Lustig, Robert H. Obesity Before Birth: Maternal and Prenatal Influences on the Offspring. New York: Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, 2011print