Role of genetics in childhood obesity - Research Paper Example

of the English of the Concerned 7 November Role of Genetics in Childhood Obesity There is no denying the fact that in the last few decades; obesity has come out to be a major social and medical problem. In fact, the repercussions of obesity on the physical and psychological health of an individual could be so drastic and unsettling that even government is actively dedicating budgetary allocations to deal with the problem of obesity through health facilities and the related institutions and organizations (Oliver 39). Experts tend to associate obesity with varied factors and social and cultural changes. There is a group of experts that believes that in the modern times, lifestyles have become increasingly sedentary and people are consuming more calories than they actually require. To put it in simply, obesity is being increasingly attributed to lifestyle alterations and it is held that obesity could be dealt with by modifying and changing lifestyles. Consequently, government is also passing on many finances to the institutions and organizations that tend to educate obese people regarding the right lifestyles and educate them about how they can change their lifestyles (Oliver 39). However, though not much popular, there is a group of experts that believes that in many cases, obesity has genetic origins, which simply cannot be manipulated by changing lifestyles (Dalton 6). The good thing is that this premise is supported by much scientific research and data. Hence, it would be really effective if the government should stop diverting millions of dollars on educating people about healthy lifestyle changes and rather divert these funds to the genetic research on obesity. Even in old times, when the science of genetics did not exist, it was a common knowledge that children inherited many things from their parents, families and ancestors like the color of their hair, the color of the eyes, height, physique and many other things. In the light of this common observation, it would not be wrong to conclude that like the color of their eyes, color of their hair, height, children also inherit a strain for obesity from their parents and families. The more recent scientific studies in the field of genetics have further established that like many other health problems and attributes, obesity in children could also be attributed to a genetic or in other words hereditary link (Smith 1). A recent scientific research which happened to be based on a close collaboration between many related studies has found out that obesity also tends to have a genetic component (Smith 1). Till a few decades ago, it was strongly believed that people or families who had faulty lifestyles and unhealthy dietary preferences were more likely to get obese. However, this study and many other such studies are forcefully pointing towards the fact that childhood obesity may not be the result of defective lifestyles, but rather a defective gene or genes (Smith 1). Even if people with faulty lifestyles are more prone to obesity, it may that a particular gene in their genetic makeup may be pushing them to stick to unhealthy diet and lifestyles. This research conducted by Struan Grant affiliated to Children’s hospital of Philadelphia and his colleagues, has found out that the genetic variants responsible for obesity in adults are also operational in children suffering from obesity (Smith 1). Hence, this conclusion seems possible; perhaps children inherit the genes for obesity from their adult blood relations. This research has also established that every obese child also has a typical genetic signature (Smith 1). Though the genetic research on childhood obesity is still at a rudimentary stage, whatever has been found out till now is sufficient to press that government should be diverting more funds to genetic research on childhood obesity. Simply speaking, there is no use spending money on educating a child regarding lifestyle modifications and dietary changes, if one’s genes are forcing one to opt for such choices and dietary preferences. A lukewarm attitude of the government towards genetic research on obesity is also associated with the marketing approach of many private corporations. It has always been seen that in advanced societies, any health or social problem is always attributed to a range of causes and reasons and the people and the government approach such problems by addressing its varied dimensions. In the light of this fact, one wonders that why the lifestyle related reasons for childhood obesity have gained more popularity in the last few decades and the genetic origins of obesity have not attracted that much limelight and attention. Perhaps, one reason could be that lifestyle modifications and the associated dietary and associated products have emerged into a billion dollar industry (Hesse-Biber 49). Television commercials and print adverts are crowded with companies selling healthy diets and lifestyle modification products. There has emerged a booming gym industry that spends hoards of money on convincing people suffering from obesity that they should avail their services so as to opt for a healthy lifestyle (Hesse- Biber 49). To some extent it is true that these products and services could contribute to a healthy life. However, the sad thing is that even the government has bought the marketing propaganda of these commercial concerns and is diverting more money towards lifestyle modification, rather than spending it on genetic research that is more likely to lead to a permanent solution for obesity. Many experts may try to put forward the seemingly logical argument that since obesity is simply a mismatch between calorie consumption and calorie expenditure, and since obese people tend to gain weight because they eat more calories than they actually spend, so lifestyle modification is a logical way out of obesity. Yes, obesity could be attributed to flawed calorie consumption by some people and in that context it could be checked by lifestyle changes. Yet, this is not the whole truth about obesity and considering it to be the only reason behind obesity will be utterly simplistic. Given, a choice, many people will certainly like to manage their lifestyles in a way that would help them retain their weight within healthy limits. However, it is much easier said than done. It is a well known fact that many obese people, irrespective of trying lifestyle modifications, are not able to practically reduce their calorie consumption. Actually they find it very hard and frustrating and sometimes even resort to surgical remedies to reduce their weight. Well, it is impossible for a person to reduce one’s calorie intake if one’s genes are pushing one to eat more. Yes, lifestyle modification helps to some extent and the obese people could resort to lifestyle modifications as an additional approach, but the real answer to their problems is in their genetic makeup (Potera A404). Therefore, spending large amounts on lifestyle education and modification will be to turn one’s eye away from the emerging scientific conclusions and possibilities (Potera A404). Hence, now is the high time that the government should start pushing more funds into the genetic research on obesity, rather than wasting them away on lifestyle education and awareness. New scientific research is fast pointing towards the fact that childhood obesity has genetic determinants. Hence, spending millions on lifestyle education, while sparing little for the actual genetic research on the causes of childhood obesity, will be like putting the cart before the horse. The government needs to pump more funds into the obesity related genetic research as it will lead to more factual and logical conclusions and remedies. Both the commonsense and more contemporary scientific studies are strongly supporting the fact that childhood obesity has genetic factors associated with it. Works Cited Dalton, Sharron. Our Overweight Children. Berkley, CA: University of California Press, 2004. Print. Hesse-Biber, Sharlene. Am I thin Enough Yet? The Cult of Thinness and the Commercialization of Identity. New York: Oxford University Press, 1997. Print. Oliver, J Eric. Fat Politics. New York: Oxford University Press, 2006. Print. Potera, Carol. “Diet and DNA”. Environmental Health Perspectives 112.7 (2004): A404. Print. Smith, Michael. “Obese Kids: Genes and Junk Food Share Blame”. abc News 9 April 2012. Web. 7 November 2012. Read More