Which Affects Your Weight More: Biological Factors or Your Environment?
Rising rates of obesity seem to be a consequence of modern life, with access to
large amounts of palatable, high calorie food and limited need for physical
activity. However, this environment of plenty affects different people in
different ways. Some are able to maintain a reasonable balance between energy
input and energy expenditure. Others have a chronic imbalance that favors
energy input, which expresses itself as overweight and obesity. What accounts
for these differences between individuals?
What We Know: |
What We Don’t Know: |
Biological relatives tend to
resemble each other in many ways, including body weight. Individuals with a
family history of obesity may be predisposed to gain weight and interventions
that prevent obesity are especially important. |
Why are biological relatives
more similar in body weight? What genes are associated with this observation?
Are the same genetic associations seen in every family? How do these genes
affect energy metabolism and regulation? |
In an environment made
constant for food intake and physical activity, individuals respond
differently. Some people store more energy as fat in an environment of excess;
others lose less fat in an environment of scarcity. The different responses are
largely due to genetic variation between individuals. |
Why are interventions based
on diet and exercise more effective for some people than others? What are the
biological differences between these high and low responders? How do we use
these insights to tailor interventions to specific needs? |
Next: Does Your Weight Have You Low on Energy?
Adapted from: Obesity and Genetics: What We Know, What We Don’t Know and What It Means
(http://www.cdc.gov/genomics/info/perspectives/files/obesknow.htm)
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