Along with various environmental factors, genetics has a very significant impact on childhood obesity that cannot be ignored. In recent years, a great deal of effort has been used toward pinpointing specific genes that contribute to obesity; however, only "22 gene associations supported by at least five positive studies" (Walley et al., 2006) have been identified. Which is a surprisingly low number, to say the least. According to Stunkard et al. (1986) "the genetic component [of obesity] is confirmed by several studies of twins, who inherit such traits as body mass index (BMI) with a 40-70% probability among children and adults". Adoption studies have been used to link obesity with genetics too. In particular, a study utilizing the Danish Adoption
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There are multiple genetic variants known to either "increase or decrease an individual's risk for obesity in their environment" (Lyon & Hirschhorn, 2005). One of the leading genes that contribute to obesity susceptibility is the FTO gene (fat mass and obesity associated gene). The FTO gene has been linked in numerous studies to be associated with obesity susceptibility and BMI, however, the actual function of this gene in the human body has not been discovered. Scuteri et al. (2007) found that "the odds of overweight and obesity increase by 18% and 32% per [FTO] risk allele". Therefore, the more FTO risk variants a person carries results in an increased chance of becoming obese. A study of 45 European Caucasian adults done by Goldstone et al. (2015) examined the brain's response of each individual when presented with various pictures of foods. The study found that the participants carrying an FTO risk allele appealed more to the pictures of high caloric foods rather than the pictures of low caloric foods. This study supports that the FTO gene plays a role in the attraction to high caloric diets and, consequently, obesity …show more content…
As mentioned by gbhealthwatch.com the MC4R gene (melanocortin 4 receptor gene) is correlated with an area of the brain responsible for controlling appetite and satiety. A replication analysis done by Loos et. al (2008) used genome-wide association data of 60,352 adults and 12,862 children in order to solidify the MC4R gene’s relationship with BMI and obesity risk. The results showed that "The odds of being overweight and obese increased by 8% and 12%” (Loos et al., 2008), respectively, for each additional risk allele". Meaning the more MC4R risk variants carried by an individual results in an increased risk of
There are multiple genetic variants known to either "increase or decrease an individual's risk for obesity in their environment" (Lyon & Hirschhorn, 2005). One of the leading genes that contribute to obesity susceptibility is the FTO gene (fat mass and obesity associated gene). The FTO gene has been linked in numerous studies to be associated with obesity susceptibility and BMI, however, the actual function of this gene in the human body has not been discovered. Scuteri et al. (2007) found that "the odds of overweight and obesity increase by 18% and 32% per [FTO] risk allele". Therefore, the more FTO risk variants a person carries results in an increased chance of becoming obese. A study of 45 European Caucasian adults done by Goldstone et al. (2015) examined the brain's response of each individual when presented with various pictures of foods. The study found that the participants carrying an FTO risk allele appealed more to the pictures of high caloric foods rather than the pictures of low caloric foods. This study supports that the FTO gene plays a role in the attraction to high caloric diets and, consequently, obesity …show more content…
As mentioned by gbhealthwatch.com the MC4R gene (melanocortin 4 receptor gene) is correlated with an area of the brain responsible for controlling appetite and satiety. A replication analysis done by Loos et. al (2008) used genome-wide association data of 60,352 adults and 12,862 children in order to solidify the MC4R gene’s relationship with BMI and obesity risk. The results showed that "The odds of being overweight and obese increased by 8% and 12%” (Loos et al., 2008), respectively, for each additional risk allele". Meaning the more MC4R risk variants carried by an individual results in an increased risk of