Does Genetics Affect Childhood Obesity - Research Paper Example

? Genetics and Childhood Obesity Genetics and Childhood Obesity Introduction Obesity is increasingly becoming an epidemic in many countries around the world. An issue that was largely localised in previous decades is now pervading seemingly every segment of society. Children are particularly hard hit, as habits and lifestyles learned early in life are often difficult to break in adulthood. There is a growing debate, however, over just how much influence a child has over his or her own weight, and how much of the problem can be attributed to the genetic makeup on each individual, over which there is no control (Lee, et al., 2007, p. 2622). Some would argue that genes have a great deal to do with childhood obesity, while others would argue equally as strongly that it is the sedentary lifestyle that many live in modern society that is more to blame. The simple fact remains, however, that children are becoming alarmingly obese and it is now time for society to take action and preventative measure to reverse course. This paper will discuss the reality that, for many children, genetics certainly plays a role in causing the epidemic of childhood obesity, but other factors such as diet and lifestyle must be taken into account as well. Genetics, Children, and Obesity It is certainly plausible to consider that genes can and do play a large factor in causing a child to be obese. This fact is really undeniable, as it has been determined that some children are shown to be at a great risk of becoming obese to due various genes that they possess (Bottcher, et al., 2012, p. 31). What remains to be debated, however, is whether or not such genes mandate obesity, or whether the phenomenon is really caused when other factors combine with genetics to create the dire situation. Certain genes inherited from parents can cause individuals to gain weight more easily. In essence, all things created equal, such children would tend to put on extra pounds than children without the genes. This is, of course, assuming that the children in question ate the same food and exhibited the same levels of physical activity. As we know, however, this is not always the case. We know that the opposite effect is also in play. Some children, and adults, can seemingly eat what they want, live an inactive lifestyle, and not put on any weight. This lends support to the notion that genetics certainly does play a critical role in the onset of obesity (Han, Lawlor, & Kimm, 2010). This argument does not adequately take into consideration, however, that these same genes have been around for centuries, yet obesity is largely a new problem on this grand of a scale. Centuries ago, we know from recorded history that obesity was largely unheard of. Children and adults lead active lives, managed their diet better than we do today, and generally exhibited a more balance weight structure (Rasmussen, 2001). Today, children tend to lead more sedentary lives than even a few decades ago. This, coupled with certain inherent genetic factors, can certainly be seen as mitigating factors in the onset of this global epidemic of childhood obesity, particularly in the West. In essence, children who are inactive and possess certain genetic market that predispose them to gaining weight, are at risk of becoming obese (Stewart, 2011). This becomes particularly problematic as they enter adolescence and adulthood, as the problem often simply becomes compounded. One genetic condition that has been shown to contribute to obesity, particularly in children, is the rare Prader-Willi syndrome. This is condition that affects many parts of the body and presents itself in infancy, with dramatic effects being exhibited in childhood. One effect of the condition is that children are hit with an unbelievable appetite. They cannot control themselves as they are almost always hungry (Bottcher, et al., 2012). As we know, if an individual takes in more calories than the body needs, or can burn off through exercise, then weigh gain usually occurs. This weight gain happen quite quickly and dramatically for this child with Prader-Willi syndrome. While this condition may be extremely rare, it certainly demonstrates the reality that genetic factors causing obesity do exist. Some would argue that even children with the syndrome simply need to be taught to control their eating habits, but this is not a realistic undertaking. Consider a person who has been in the desert for some days without any water. When they finally find a water source, they will likely guzzle much more water than they realistically even need, as it is a basic human instinct. Such it is with people that possess this particle genetic marker. Their appetite never leaves them and they simply cannot control it in many situations. Recent studies have also discovered the presence of other genetic factors that may play a role the increased appetite and slow metabolism present in many children when compared to children who are lacking those particular genetic markers. One gene is question, and the subject of much research, is the KSR2 gene. The scientists making this discover did note the diet and levels of physical activity certainly play an important role in childhood obesity, with or without considering the presence of the KSR2 gene, but the reality that some people gain weight easier than others can no longer be ignored. Zhang, Tang, Wan, &Zhang (2013), in referring to genetic markers, noted the finding that “This variation between people is largely influenced by genetic factors. The discovery of a new obesity gene, KSR2, demonstrates that genes can contribute to obesity by reducing metabolic rate - how well the body burns calories” (p. 161). While this discovery is certainly not conclusive proof that certain genes result in obesity, it does certainly go a long way in pointing us in the right direction about various societal influences, that when combined with other factors, create a potential dangerous situation when it comes to problems related to obesity. As with many areas of modern medicine, there have been some recent treatment options developed recently for individuals that exhibit certain genes being discussed in this report. One of the factors of interest is how childhood obesity often leads to the onset of diabetes. Scientists are now working on ways to develop treatment options aimed at helping children and adolescents not only be able to control their appetite, but to speed up their metabolism and help with the minimization of the effects of diabetes. Thus far in research endeavors, the drug metformin has shown promise in raising the low levels of fatty acid oxidation that manifests itself in cells that have the KSR2 gene mutation (Zhang, et al., 2013). If this is true, the implication is that drugs such as this may help obese children who have the KSR 2 gene by minimizing the effects that it has on the body, thereby affording individuals the opportunity to keep weight off, with other factors being equal. It is important to understand, however, that diet and lifestyle often play an even larger role in obesity, particularly in children, that cannot simply be discounted with the presence of certain genetic markers. Diet as an Influencing Factor in Childhood Obesity The World Health Organization has reported that childhood obesity is one of the most serious health problem facing the global community today, and it places much of the ‘blame’ on dietary changes, particularly in the West (Wisniewski & Chernausek, 2009). The epidemic, however, is no longer confined to only American and Western Europe. Other countries have begun to alter their diets, and a significant increase in obesity at the childhood level has certainly been noticed. As discussed more later in this report, the problem is particularly noticeable among children living in poor and middle income households, and is especially prevalent in urban areas. An estimated 42 million children now are considered to be obese globally, which was an unspeakable number just a few decades ago (McBride, 2010). Dietary concerns abound in regards to this epidemic. In addition to genetic factors leading to other health complications, a poor diet often leads to the development of other noncommunicable diseases including diabetes and heart disease. These used to be considered diseases affecting mostly adults, yet now children are becoming increasingly susceptible to their onset. For these reasons, it is important that society now takes this issue of childhood obesity seriously and begins to develop programs aimed at increasing healthy food options in communities around the globe. The education of families about the importance of healthy eating, particularly for children who have the genetic marks discussed previously must become common place. It has been concluded that, “The fundamental cause of childhood overweight and obesity is an energy imbalance between calories consumed and calories expended” (Bottcher, Korner, Kovacs, & Kiess, 2012, p. 32). Researchers have noticed a trend around the globe, even in developing countries, towards a diet that exhibits large amounts of energy dense food that are actually quite high in fat and sugar. In addition, such foods tend to be extremely low in vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that are needed to sustain the health of a child. These types of food also do little to increase the metabolism in children, causing them to be lethargic, which leads to a lack of desire to participate in sort of substantive physical activity (Bottcher, Korner, Kovacs, & Kiess, 2012). Urbanization in many parts of the world has also made a healthy diet more difficult to come by. With reduced farmland in many locations, the inexpensive and relatively accessible fruits and vegetables that society used to enjoy in previous decades is simply no longer as easy an option. In its place, unhealthy foods loaded down with sugar and other undesirable ingredients have become more commonplace. For a family living in poverty, it has become much cheaper to purchase junk food than it has to load down a family dinner table with healthy food. Combatted with these choices, it is hard for adults to make the decision to provide less food for their children, so the temptation is to provide junk food as a cheaper and more accessible alternative. This, combined with lifestyle decisions and various genetic factors, further serves to explain why childhood obesity has become such an issue in our society. Globally, we must do a better job at making healthy food choices not only affordable, but readily accessible to families and children, no matter where they may live. Lifestyle as an Influencing Factor in Childhood Obesity Consider the reality that more children in urban areas are obese than in rural parts of the country (McBride, 2010). While there are no definitive causes to this, we can see certain differences in each type of society that likely contribute to this problem. Open ‘green’ areas have gradually been encroached upon in urban areas in recent decades. As a result, it has become increasingly difficult for children in such locations to get the amount of physical activity that they need to not only remain healthy, but to keep weight off as well. In addition, many urban centers in the West, and elsewhere, are unsafe and not conducive to children playing outdoors on a regular basis. This has created the tendency for many young children to grow up without the adequate physical activity that they crave. When parents do not feel comfortable allowing their children to play outside, they are more likely to placate them by creating an unhealthy environment inside. Growing up in a rural area generally affords children the opportunity to play outdoors in safe and comfortable surroundings. Rural and suburban areas tend to have community centers, large areas of open land and parks, and an environment and lifestyle that is more conducive to physical activity. In such an environment, even children with genetic dispositions towards heavy eating or having a slow metabolism can often balance that reality with healthy doses of physical activity that will serve to prevent them from becoming obese. While it is not a certainty that children living in locations where physical activity is safe and encourage will lead to a more balanced, all indicators are that it certainly is one factor to consider in the minimising of childhood obesity. The lifestyle encouraged at home also plays a critical role in the prevention, or promotion, of obesity. Parents and other adults in the household set the tone for lifestyle habits of children. If exercise and regular activity is encouraged and model by parents, then children are much more likely to follow suit. If, however, parents themselves live sedentary lives or are unmotivated to help their children realise the benefits of a healthy and active life, it will be a tough task to expect to understand this reality as well. It has been noted that there is, “A trend towards decreased physical activity levels due to the increasingly sedentary nature of many forms of recreation time, changing modes of transportation, and increasing urbanization” (Han, Lawlor, & Kimm, 2010, p. 1740). This has manifested itself in numerous ways. In years past, it was not uncommon for families and children to walk to their destination. Parents would walk kids to school, families would walk together to church, and a walk to the supermarket or local food store was not unheard of. Walking did eventually give ways to bicycles for children, which was highly effective at providing physical activity options. Today, however, other modes of transportation have taken over, causing physical activity to have to be planned, rather than being realised as a daily part of life. The aforementioned factors are further compounded in children that possess certain genes that either increase their appetite or suppress their metabolic system (Stewart, 2010). The only way to overcome these factors, in essence, is to increase the heart rate and stay physically active. We know that active children tend to illustrate a faster metabolism and they tend to eat healthier. Staying physically active creates the potential for weight to remained more stable, muscle to be built, and an overall lifestyle that is much more conducive to combating obesity. It is also important to understand that living a healthy lifestyle overcome genetic predispositions in many cases, and can decrease the likelihood that children will develop diabetes or heart disease. Society must look for ways to encourage children to become more active and to guard against weight gain in ways that are enjoyable, beneficial, and productive. Conclusion Childhood obesity affects all sectors of society. Individuals are heartbroken to see millions of children not being able to enjoy the quality of life that they should because their body weight is so much over what it should be. Society has long prided itself on allowing kids to be kids. This involves them being able to live an active and healthy life. Eating habits used to be conducive to this reality, as did opportunities for activity that was both enjoyable and eliminated the possibly for excess weight gain. Such activities and diet help children who have genes predisposing them to obesity to be able to live a healthy and normal life. Somewhere along the way, these principles have gradually eroded, and today society is truly facing a serious problem in terms of childhood obesity. We can no longer look to just genetics, diet, and lifestyle choices being exhibited by children as the primary culprits. Often times, children truly do not know any better and society is simply doing a poor job at equipping young people with the resources and education that they need in order to make wise decisions about their health. Today we have a society that increasingly socially and economically fragmented, leading to inequity at nearly every level. In additions, global communities have shifted their priorities away from agricultural development to a more industrious lifestyle predicated on factories and urbanization. This has shifted our focus away from an active lifestyle more centered on individual and family activity to one that is more prone to a sedentary life built around economic growth. Children have been caught in the middle and have gradually adapted the unhealthy habits passed down by the rest of society. Moving forward, the global community must reverse its focus to a more balanced way of life. Moving back to whole and natural foods, advocating the adoption of healthy lifestyle choices, and the continued research and development into genetic factors will all be necessary to help combat this issue. Children cannot be expected to reverse this trend on their own. They eat and act the way that they are taught. If, however, society begins now to alert one another to the growing problem of childhood obesity, and decides to implement positive changes moving forward, much progress can certainly be made. We must begin to consider the emotional, social, and economic costs of this epidemic as well. Children who are obese tend to be victims of bullying at a disproportional level. They also tend to have a low self-esteem and suffer from various types of emotional trauma (McBride, 2010, p. 40). Finally, the health related costs of treating various problems associated with childhood obesity is becoming astronomical, particularly when consider the developing nations of the world. It is time now to take action by understanding that genetics certainly have a factor to play in childhood obesity, but society has exacerbated the problem with their lack of action. Now is the time to change that reality and begin to witness a decrease in the levels of childhood obesity moving forward. References Bottcher, Y., Korner, A., Kovacs, P., and Kiess, W. (2012). Obesity genes: Implication in childhood obesity. Paediatrics and Child Health, 22(1), 31-36. Han, J., Lawlor, D., and Kimm, S. (2010). Childhood obesity. Lancet, 375(9727), 1737-1748. Lee, Y., Poh, L., Kek, B., and Loke, K. (2007). The role of melanocortin 3 receptor gene in childhood obesity. Diabetes, 56(10), 2622-2630. McBride, D. (2010). Childhood obesity. Practice Nurse, 39(11), 40. Rasmussen, K. M. (2001). The fetal origins hypothesis: Challenges and opportunities for maternal and child nutrition. Annual Review of Nutrition, 21(1), 73-95. Stewart, L. (2011). Childhood obesity. Medicine, 39(1), 42-44. Wisniewski, A., and Chernausek, S. (2009). Gender in childhood obesity: Family environment, hormones and genes. Gender Medicine, 6(1), 76-85. Zhang, X., Tang, Q., Wan, A., and Zhang, H. (2013). SAA1 gene variants and childhood obesity in China. Lipids in Health and Disease, 12(1), 161. Read More