Obesity
Obesity is often known as the “silent killer,” given how it sneakily seeps through an individual’s health, increasing their risks of almost every other disease. It negatively affects nearly all areas of health, including reproductive, metabolic, physical, psychological, and emotional well-being. In fact, obesity is the leading cause of some of the most prevalent cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes.
Lancelot’s study revealed that 70% of the Urban Indian population is overweight, making the country the third most obese nation after the US and China. While the environment, biopsychosocial, and health factors are major causes of obesity, genes may also play a role in gaining and struggling to lose weight.
Types of Genetic Obesity
If you and others in your family struggle with stubborn body weight, genes could be a reason. Genetic obesity is tougher to manage than obesity caused by environmental factors; however, once diagnosed, it can be dealt with through a personalized care plan.
Ancestry Philippines can help you recognize structural defects in your DNA causing some rare and common types of obesity, such as:
How Does Genetics Play A Role In Obesity?
Studies estimate that parents pass down 40-70% of obesity to their children. Most obesity cases arise from a combination of genetic and lifestyle factors. Fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) gene variants are the common genetic risk factors. They’re associated with:
- A higher body mass index (BMI)
- Increased weight gain
These particularly thrive in environments with easy access to high-calorie foods and sedentary lifestyles.
Common variants in genes associated with polygenic obesity:
- TMEM18
- SEC16B
- LINGO2
- NEGR1
- ETV5
These common, low-to-moderate effect variants contribute cumulatively to polygenic obesity risk.
Monogenic obesity makes up only about 5% of obesity cases; however, these cases are serious. They result from gene mutations that hinder the brain’s ability to regulate appetite and energy expenditure. Inheritance patterns of monogenic obesity can be:
- Autosomal dominant: Children with a 50% chance of inheriting the mutant
- Autosomal recessive: Children with a 25% chance of inheriting the mutant
Common variants in genes associated with monogenic obesity:
- MC4R
- MC3R
- SIM1
- NTRK2
- SH2B1
- AGRP
- POMC
- BDNF
- LEP
- LEPR
- PCSK1
- TUB
- CPE
- GHRL.
Genes like PPARG, UCP1-3, KSR2, and DYRK1B are also linked to energy homeostasis and obesity.
Syndromic obesity is rarer and usually a result of the syndrome itself. It is accompanied by other equally, if not more, severe symptoms, such as developmental and psychological delays.
Some syndromes that cause monogenic obesity:
- Prader-Willi syndrome – Genetic material missing on chromosome 15
- Bardet-Biedl syndrome – Mutation in BBS genes
- Alström syndrome – Mutation in ALMS1 gene
- Albright Hereditary Osteodystrophy – Mutation in the GNAS1 gene
- Fragile X Syndrome – Mutation in FMR1 gene
Obesity is linked to over a hundred other uncommon disorders. When you get tested with Ancestry Philippines, we identify these mutations and provide an insightful report that helps you strategize prevention and personalized treatment.
How Does Genetics Play A Role In Obesity?
Studies estimate that parents pass down 40-70% of obesity to their children. Most obesity cases arise from a combination of genetic and lifestyle factors. Fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) gene variants are the common genetic risk factors. They’re associated with:
- A higher body mass index (BMI)
- Increased weight gain
These particularly thrive in environments with easy access to high-calorie foods and sedentary lifestyles.
Common variants in genes associated with polygenic obesity:
- TMEM18
- SEC16B
- LINGO2
- NEGR1
- ETV5
These common, low-to-moderate effect variants contribute cumulatively to polygenic obesity risk.
Monogenic obesity makes up only about 5% of obesity cases; however, these cases are serious. They result from gene mutations that hinder the brain’s ability to regulate appetite and energy expenditure. Inheritance patterns of monogenic obesity can be:
- Autosomal dominant: Children with a 50% chance of inheriting the mutant
- Autosomal recessive: Children with a 25% chance of inheriting the mutant
Common variants in genes associated with monogenic obesity:
- MC4R
- MC3R
- SIM1
- NTRK2
- SH2B1
- AGRP
- POMC
- BDNF
- LEP
- LEPR
- PCSK1
- TUB
- CPE
- GHRL.
Genes like PPARG, UCP1-3, KSR2, and DYRK1B are also linked to energy homeostasis and obesity.
Syndromic obesity is rarer and usually a result of the syndrome itself. It is accompanied by other equally, if not more, severe symptoms, such as developmental and psychological delays.
Some syndromes that cause monogenic obesity:
- Prader-Willi syndrome – Genetic material missing on chromosome 15
- Bardet-Biedl syndrome – Mutation in BBS genes
- Alström syndrome – Mutation in ALMS1 gene
- Albright Hereditary Osteodystrophy – Mutation in the GNAS1 gene
- Fragile X Syndrome – Mutation in FMR1 gene
Obesity is linked to over a hundred other uncommon disorders. When you get tested with Ancestry Philippines, we identify these mutations and provide an insightful report that helps you strategize prevention and personalized treatment.
Recognizing If You Have Obesity
If you have a family history of obesity, you should watch out for the following common symptoms:
- Rapid weight gain
- Excessive hunger
- Difficulty losing weight despite dietary and exercise efforts
When obesity remains untreated, it can cause severe health complications, including:
When obesity remains untreated, it can cause severe health complications, including:
- Type 2 diabetes
- Hypertension
- Cardiovascular disease
- Certain cancers
Genetic predisposition can exacerbate these symptoms, leading to more severe health outcomes if not properly managed. Consult your doctor if you face aggravated symptoms and need help managing weight effectively.
A genetic test might help you understand your obesity risks and affinity to other diseases. It can help in curating personalized strategies for weight management.
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Hypertension
- Cardiovascular Disease
- Certain Cancers
Genetic predisposition can exacerbate these symptoms, leading to more severe health outcomes if not properly managed. Consult your doctor if you face aggravated symptoms and need help managing weight effectively.
A genetic test might help you understand your obesity risks and affinity to other diseases. It can help in curating personalized strategies for weight management.
If you have a family history of obesity, you should watch out for the following common symptoms:
- Rapid weight gain
- Excessive hunger
- Difficulty losing weight despite dietary and exercise efforts
When obesity remains untreated, it can cause severe health complications, including:
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Hypertension
- Cardiovascular Ddisease
- Certain Cancers
Genetic predisposition can exacerbate these symptoms, leading to more severe health outcomes if not properly managed. Consult your doctor if you face aggravated symptoms and need help managing weight effectively.
A genetic test might help you understand your obesity risks and affinity to other diseases. It can help in curating personalized strategies for weight management.
Lifestyle adjustments like less high-calorie food intake and more physical activity can help manage obesity in individuals. However, genetic insights from your report enable personalized obesity management strategies, including:
- Customized dietary plans
- Exercise regimens
- Medical interventions
For example, individuals with mutations in the LEP or MC4R genes might benefit from specific medications that target these pathways.
Take Control of Your Weight
FAQ'S
Prader-Willi Syndrome and leptin receptor deficiency are two examples of genetic disorders that can cause obesity. Prader-Willi Syndrome is characterized by an insatiable appetite and slow metabolism, which can lead to obesity if not properly managed. Leptin receptor deficiency results in the body's inability to respond to leptin, a hormone that regulates hunger, causing excessive hunger and weight gain.
While genetic obesity cannot be "cured" in the traditional sense, affected individuals can effectively manage it through lifestyle changes, medical interventions, and, in some cases, specific treatments targeting the genetic factors involved. For instance, managing diet, increasing physical activity, and using medications that target specific genetic pathways can help control weight.
Yes, individuals with genetic predispositions to obesity can lose weight. While genetics significantly determine susceptibility to obesity, lifestyle changes in diet and physical activity are a must in managing weight. Studies show a healthy lifestyle counters some of the genetic risks associated with obesity, making weight loss achievable even for those with a genetic predisposition.
