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Related Concept Videos

Obesity01:24

Obesity

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...
Evolutionary Psychology01:20

Evolutionary Psychology

Evolutionary psychology explores the origins of human behavior and mental processes by framing them within the context of natural selection, a theory famously propounded by Charles Darwin. This field asserts that many behaviors common across human societies — ranging from instinctive fear reactions to complex social interactions — arose as evolutionary adaptations. These adaptations enhanced the survival and reproductive success of our ancestors, thereby becoming embedded in the human psyche...
Limits to Natural Selection01:38

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Organisms that are well-adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce. However, natural selection does not lead to perfectly adapted organisms. Several factors constrain natural selection.
Evolution of New Traits in Microbes01:24

Evolution of New Traits in Microbes

Microorganisms evolve rapidly due to their large population sizes and short generation times, often exhibiting measurable changes within days under laboratory conditions. Natural selection acts on standing genetic variation, enabling the retention and amplification of beneficial traits that confer fitness advantages in changing environments.Adaptive Pigment Regulation in RhodobacterIn Rhodobacter, a genus of purple non-sulfur bacteria, light-harvesting pigments such as bacteriochlorophyll and...
Natural Selection and Adaptation01:15

Natural Selection and Adaptation

Natural selection, a fundamental concept in evolutionary biology, is the mechanism by which evolution is driven, favoring organisms that are best adapted to their environments. This process enhances their chances of survival and reproduction. Adaptation, a key outcome of this process, involves genetic modifications that optimize an organism's functionality under specific environmental challenges, such as extreme cold or thinner air at high altitudes.
Beyond physical adaptations, psychological...
Background and Environment Affect Phenotype02:27

Background and Environment Affect Phenotype

Although the genetic makeup of an organism plays a major role in determining the phenotype, there are also several environmental factors, such as temperature, oxygen availability, presence of mutagens, that can alter an organism’s phenotype.
An example of how genetic background affects phenotype can be seen in horses. The Extension gene in horses is responsible for their coat color. A wild-type gene (EE) produces black pigment in the coat, while a mutant gene (ee) produces red pigment. A...

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Obesity: lessons from evolution and the environment.

B L Heitmann1, K R Westerterp, R J F Loos

  • 1Institute of Preventive Medicine, Centre for Health and Society, Copenhagen University Hospitals, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Obesity Reviews : an Official Journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity
|May 31, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Obesity arises from complex genetic, environmental, and evolutionary factors, including gene-environment interactions and epigenetic changes. Understanding our evolutionary history is key to appreciating the multifaceted nature of obesity.

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Human physiology
  • Nutritional science

Background:

  • Obesity is influenced by a complex interplay of genetic, cultural, environmental, and evolutionary factors.
  • Gene-environment interactions affect body-weight and fat regulation, exemplified by historical feast-famine cycles and modern 'eating in the absence of hunger'.
  • Epigenetic changes from perinatal exposure to Western diets can program offspring for obesity, perpetuating the condition across generations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the multifaceted origins of obesity by integrating genetic, environmental, and evolutionary perspectives.
  • To understand how lifestyle, diet, and evolutionary adaptations contribute to the current obesity epidemic.
  • To highlight the importance of evolutionary context in comprehending obesity's complexity.

Main Methods:

  • Review and synthesis of data presented at the 9th Stock Conference.
  • Analysis of gene-environment interactions and epigenetic mechanisms.
  • Comparative physiology and ecological insights from evolutionary biology.

Main Results:

  • Gene-environment interactions influence body-weight regulation, with factors like physical activity and energy intake playing significant roles.
  • Perinatal metabolic programming, influenced by diet and epigenetics, contributes to intergenerational obesity.
  • Evolutionary pressures show consistent energy expenditure compared to wild mammals, suggesting altered energy balance mechanisms and taste function.
  • Assortative mating positively correlates with current obesity prevalence.

Conclusions:

  • Obesity is a complex trait deeply rooted in our evolutionary past and influenced by modern environmental factors.
  • Understanding evolutionary history is crucial for a comprehensive appreciation of obesity's underlying causes.
  • Interdisciplinary approaches integrating genetics, environment, and evolution are necessary to address the obesity epidemic.