Is Obesity Hereditary?

What is obesity?

Obesity is a condition that happens when a person eats far more than what his or her body consumes as energy. There are various factors that determine how your body uses the calories you consume with your food.

Obesity factors

There are many factors that can cause obesity, which can include: genes, overeating habits, eating unhealthy foods that are rich in fat content, and leading a sedentary lifestyle.

Obesity and genes

The role that genes play in most cases of obesity cannot be ignored. It creates an environment that encourages obesity. There are cases where people with genes that are associated with obesity don’t experience any weight problems, as well as the other way around.

Obesity and environment

There are cases where people with genes that are associated with obesity don’t experience any weight problems, as well as the other way around. This is because whether genes are involved or not, a person’s lifestyle plays a crucial role in weight gain. Altering lifestyle habits, as well as support from family and friends, can help people who are obese or overweight change their weight in a positive way.

Genetic rarities

There are a few cases where genetic mutations are the main cause of obesity. Spontaneous mutations occur in genes that deal with food intake and appetite control. This has been found to cause a rare type of obesity known as monogenic obesity. There are a number of generic syndromes that are also associated with obesity, such as Bardet-Biedl and Prader-Willi.