my bioligist teacher says the people who are overweight its not because of their genetics or because there are people in their family that are overweight. He says it has nothing to do with genetics and that it is not hereditary. I am talking to one the nurses at my job and she says that he is wrong. cand someone please clarify . thanks !
2007-07-24 06:26:29 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Medicine
Some people may have genes that enable them to eat less or more before they become overweight. But in general, it is the lifestyle one follows that determines whether he/she will be overweight (diet, exercise).
For example look at the USA. We are the fattest country in the world. Our ancestors came from Europe, Africa, Asia, and many other areas. Yet, they are not overweight. Why? Too many of us lead a sedentary lifestyle, combined with fattening foods.
2007-07-24 09:27:05 · answer #1 · answered by Jennifer 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Some people may be genetically predispositioned to becoming overweight, but it is still very much an environmental condition. It doesn't matter whether your genes make you more prone to put on weight or not, if you don't overeat and engage in regular physical exercise then you aren't going to get fat (barring rare and extreme genetic conditions such as MOMO syndrome).
2007-07-24 13:43:49 · answer #2 · answered by Bullet Magnet 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes and no. There are genes that increase someone's tendency to be overweight, but overall it is NOT genetic. Weight comes when you take in more calories than you use, so you increase your reserves (fat). Simply by eating less and exercising more we would not have an obesity problem.
It is sad that there are so many people trying to make this claim, it just gives people an excuse to be overweight and not make the effort to stay healthy.
2007-07-24 13:32:20 · answer #3 · answered by Troy 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It's complicated. Look up "leptin" on your search engine.
I'm sure your biology teacher has discussed nature versus nurture. While an obese family may share the leptin gene, they also may share the same sedentary life-style and poor eating habits.
I would say that in most cases we eat too much and exercise too little. Genes may play a role with some people. Tell your teacher it's "multi-factorial." He can't give you less than a C for that.
2007-07-24 16:57:20 · answer #4 · answered by greydoc6 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it's an uver-used excuse, but I assume there're some validaty
But the cold hard fact comes through in yes, weight is purly determined on how much you eat compared to how much you burn. There is no way to eat and burn the excat same amount of calories, and still gain weight. That defys the first rule of thermodynamics (don't think of it in terms of thermodynamics, just physics) you can't get something for nothing.
2007-07-24 13:38:38 · answer #5 · answered by adklsjfklsdj 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes and studies show that its also contagious.
2007-07-24 13:33:51 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋