Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 10, 2026
13:09
Segmentation and Measurement of Fat Volumes in Murine Obesity Models Using X-ray Computed Tomography
Published on: April 4, 2012
Obesity: genetic, molecular, and environmental aspects
Lewis A Barness1, John M Opitz, Enid Gilbert-Barness
1Professor of Pediatrics and Public Health, University of South Florida College of Medicine, Tampa, Florida, USA.
American Journal of Medical Genetics. Part A
|November 16, 2007
Summary
Obesity is a major public health issue, affecting both children and adults, and leading to numerous serious health complications. Early intervention is crucial as obese children often become obese adults, facing increased morbidity and mortality.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Metabolic Disorders
Background:
- Obesity is a critical global health challenge in the 21st century.
- Pediatric obesity rates are rising dramatically, mirroring adult trends.
- Overweight children are likely to become obese adults, facing health issues earlier.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the escalating public health crisis of obesity.
- To underscore the link between childhood and adult obesity.
- To detail the wide-ranging health complications associated with obesity.
Main Methods:
- Review of current public health data on obesity prevalence.
- Analysis of the correlation between pediatric and adult obesity trends.
- Compilation of known health complications linked to obesity.
Main Results:
- Obesity is a leading cause of preventable death.
- Complications include cardiovascular risks, type 2 diabetes, and hepatic steatosis.
- Genetic, molecular, and environmental factors influence obesity.
Conclusions:
- Obesity presents a significant and growing threat to public health.
- The long-term consequences of obesity necessitate urgent attention and management strategies.
- Comprehensive assessment and management considering multiple factors are essential.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Obesity
The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a numerical value derived from a person's weight and height, used to categorize individuals into weight ranges. It is calculated using the formula: weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Obesity is a health condition characterized by excessive accumulation of adipose tissue that poses health risks, often diagnosed with a BMI ≥ 30. This excess fat storage occurs when surplus dietary calories are converted into triglycerides and stored in adipocytes...
01:30Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia nervosa is a complex and severe eating disorder characterized by a cyclical pattern of binge-and-purge eating pattern. It generally involves an episode of binge eating, followed by compensatory behaviors such as vomiting, excessive exercise, laxative use, or fasting, to prevent weight gain. Despite often maintaining a normal weight, individuals with bulimia are intensely preoccupied with their body image and harbor an overwhelming fear of gaining weight. This can contribute to the...
01:20Gene-Environment Interactions
Gene expression is a dynamic process that is significantly influenced by environmental factors. This interaction underlies the complex nature of biological development and the phenotypic differences observed among individuals, even among those with identical genetic makeups. Factors such as radiation, temperature, behavior, nutrition, and stress play pivotal roles in determining how genes are expressed. The concept of the reaction range is central to understanding this interaction. It posits...
01:18Polygenic Traits
When more than one gene is responsible for a given phenotype, the trait is considered polygenic. Human height is a polygenic trait. Studies have uncovered hundreds of loci that influence height, and there are believed to be many more. Due to the high number of genes involved, as well as environmental and nutritional factors, height varies significantly within a given population. The distribution of height forms a bell-shaped curve, with relatively few individuals in the population at the...
01:18Polygenic Traits
When more than one gene is responsible for a given phenotype, the trait is considered polygenic. Human height is a polygenic trait. Studies have uncovered hundreds of loci that influence height, and there are believed to be many more. Due to the high number of genes involved, as well as environmental and nutritional factors, height varies significantly within a given population. The distribution of height forms a bell-shaped curve, with relatively few individuals in the population at the...
01:28Human Genetics
Human genetics provides a profound framework for understanding the interplay between genetic predispositions and human psychology. At the heart of this discipline lies the study of how genes influence physical traits, behaviors, and susceptibility to diseases. Each person carries a unique genetic code that subtly or significantly shapes their psychological and behavioral landscape.
The complex relationship between genetics and psychology is observable through common biological components such...
The complex relationship between genetics and psychology is observable through common biological components such...