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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.
Insights
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.
Abstract:
Obesity has emerged as one of the most serious public health concerns in the 21st century. Obese children tend to become obese adults. The dramatic rise in pediatric obesity closely parallels the rapid increase in the prevalence of adult obesity. As overweight children become adults they face the multitude of health problems associated with obesity at younger ages. The morbidity and mortality associated with obesity continue to increase. Obesity is one of the leading causes of preventable death. Complications of obesity include cardiovascular risks, hypertension, dyslipidemia, endothelial dysfunction, type 2 diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance, acanthosis nigricans, hepatic steatosis, premature puberty, hypogonadism and polycystic ovary syndrome, obstructive sleep disorder, orthopedic complications, cholelithiasis and pseudotumor cerebri. Genetic and molecular and environmental factors play an important role in the assessment and management of obesity.
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