Is obesity in the genes?
By Nnaemeka
@mydanods (6513)
Nigeria
February 22, 2018 11:04am CST
I had a wonderful day today. I volunteered to preach to people in my neighborhood about the wonderful promises of God in the Bible.
Now, I have a question troubling me. I know of a family where the mother is very fat; obese. Every child she gives birth to right from childhood have turned out to be fat, except for one of the girls. I'm not saying that being obese is bad only that I find it odd that obesity should run in this family.
So my question is: is obesity inherited? That is, is it in the genes? Have you experienced anything like this?
5 people like this
7 responses
@owlwings (43915)
• Cambridge, England
22 Feb 18
Yes, genetics may play a part in obesity but there are many other factors, of course, and many different types of obesity. The best that one can say, really, is that certain types of obesity may be inherited but, in most cases, it would probably be more accurate to say that a tendency towards obesity may have genetic components.
Etiology Genetic factors of overweight and obesity How do genes affect obesity? SUMMARY: Science shows that genetics plays a role in obesity. Genes can directly cause obesity in disorders such as Bardet-Biedl syndrome and Prader-Willi syndrome. Howe
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@mydanods (6513)
• Nigeria
22 Feb 18
Thanks for the link. I learned a lot. It says genes doesn't CAUSE obesity but makes one at higher risk. So we can safely say that this obese family are at higher risk since their mother was obese so they should have been checking their diet from childhood. That's how I understand it.
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@GardenGerty (157721)
• United States
22 Feb 18
Your general bone structure is definitely genetic, so some people look naturally large. Some predisposition to gain may be in the genes as well, but environment and how you are raised has a huge bearing as well. We grow up with a taste for the foods we are served. Some prefer veggies, some prefer sweets, some crave fats because that is what we eat growing up. Besides that, if you do not see your parents and family being active and working hard and moving a lot you do not learn to either. I know situations both ways, where inherited traits make people gain and where learned behavior does as well.
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@DaddyEvil (137142)
• United States
22 Feb 18
It is my understanding that obesity can be inherited both from your family as well as your friends, Nnaemeka. You get genetic predisposition for weight gain from your parent but your friend's attitudes towards weight gain also plays a part in whether you gain weight or not, too.
Uhhh... maybe this link can explain what I mean better than I can...
Having overweight family and friends increases the likelihood someone will become overweight, according to a Harvard researcher who examined obesity and social network data from the long-running Framingham Heart Study.
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@Lignitecityabishek96 (7110)
• Cuddalore, India
22 Feb 18
I don't have any idea on this topic but I heard that.
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