Is obesity caused by genetic or environmental factors?

Answer 1

If obesity was just caused by over-eating and laziness, why is it that some people who are thin eat like horses and don't exercise, yet some obese people eat like birds and run around all day?

Obesity can be caused both genetic or environmental factors, but it can also be caused by certain medical conditions...eg with PCOS it states that obesity is a symptom (not a cause) of the condition.

Losing weight is not easy and there is not much real support available (weight control meetings may help but they are very expensive) and doctors are very good at stating the obvious but doing little else but shove a diet sheet under your nose!
Losing weight is doubly hard for those with mental health issues too, or eating disorders...comfort eating is perpetuated by our cruel society who tend to judge and ridicule obese people, rather than help and support them. Obese people have feelings and bullying will not help them lose weight, understanding and kindness on the other hand would help.

The answer to this growing problem...well most people would say eat less and exercise more and to a degree this would help. However, for some, this is not the solution (I have PCOS and however hard I try, I just cannot lose the weight). More research needs to be done on the causes and remedies of obesity, but also attitudes towards fat people MUST change. Whilst smokers get lots of help and support, overweight people get ridiculed or judged...no one needs to smoke to live, yet we all need food to survive.

Answer 2

Both.

It is too simple to say that food and exercise are purely environmental factors. Appetite is controlled by genetics, for example the hormone leptin.

The leptin gene was studied using mutant mice, who were all obese. The presence of leptin decreases appetite and increases metabolism, meaning that energy is used faster.

Prader-Willi syndrome is another purely genetic condition where appetite is completely unregulated - sufferers are literally capable of eating themselves to death if unsupervised.

However, other reasons for overeating such as comfort eating may be considered environmental.

Reasons for not exercising frequently enough may be largely environmental in this day and age but could also include inherited heart, lung, limb and joint problems.

Other than genetic factors controlling appetite, there are also genetic factors controlling how food is used after it is eaten. For example, women are more likely to have fat stores than men and also store fat in different areas of the body.

Some people may extract more energy from food than others by processing their food more efficiently versus passing it out as waste.

And some people do just seem to have a faster metabolism, meaning that they use up the energy very quickly.

It is an interesting question with no definitive answer, but I think there is a good case for both types of factors being relevant.

Answer 3

Genes can make you more susceptible to the effects of overeating, but obesity itself is only CAUSED by overeating.

In the days of cavemen it was probably an advantage to have a body that stored fat efficiently since food was scarce. It meant that we could survive periods of starvation.

As previous posters on this question have said (some more eloquently than others), you can only eat yourself into obesity.

If you consume only the calories you need, you won't be obese, or overweight for that matter.

Answer 4

Obesity is either caused by genetic factors or environmental factors. But in most cases, the genetic factor prevails. So, if genetically you are not meant to be obesse, all the fries and butter and chicken in the world may not necessarily make you big.

Answer 5

Although you and your sister will be considered having a higher risk for breast cancer, keep in mind that about 10% of cancers are due to genetics. I was told since I had breast cancer my daughters would need mammograms around the age of 30 instead of the "norm" of 40. But I also tested negative for the Breast Cancer genes. You don't mention if your mom had the genetic testing done. I think that would have a bearing on "percentages". But, just like any woman, you will need to start doing monthly breast self examinations around the age of 20 and see a doctor yearly for an exam. You should get the mammograms earlier as well due to your family history of breast cancer.

Answer 6

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Answer 7

The answer is both. Your environment can influence what you eat. Example if you eat fast food all the time and you don't do any physical activity there is a good chance you will gain weight.

On the other hand genetics can also play a role. If you have a slow metabolism it is possible to gain weight even if you do take care of your caloric intake. However your weight can be controlled by a proper diet and physical activities.

Answer 8

Both, as with most human conditions. Lately there has been serious speculation that a virus is involved in at least some forms of obesity.
The human body has a very efficient metabolism, and our genes have long memories of famines. Your body is much more worried about starving than it is about having a heart attack at some point in the indefinite future. Consequently our bodies don't want to lose fat and hold on to it. Add this to all the high fat foods available to us, and it's no surprise that we're seeing an obesity epidemic.

Answer 9

both affect the final product:

you have a 'treshold' in your genes.
the genetic factor contributes a certain percentage ofthis treshold, and the environmental factor adds to it. if the final summation of both genetic and environmental factors are below the treshold, obesity will not occur, if the summation exceeds the treshold, however, obesity will occur.

there are degrees of obesity due to the involvement of more than one gene.

hope this helped you a little!!!!

Answer 10

Environmental factors, Accessibility to a more-than-adequate food supply is the factor.