Question

1. Explain the factors that may contribute to a weight problem or excess body fat in the following categories:
   1. genetic,
   2. physiological,
   3. lifestyle factors.

Answer 1

Genetic Factors :
A few portion of population with weight variation is due to genetic factors
a) Genes that influence behaviors (such as drive to overeat )
b)genes that influence metabolism (such as diminished capacity to use dietary fats as fuel or incrased tendency to store body fats)
c)genes associated with a significant increase in trigyceride levels and body fat across species.
d) alterations in uncoupling proteins
Physiological factors:
a) Alteration in homeostatic control of food intake , it leads to activation of hedonic pathwaysthat becomes a major driving force for overconsumption.
b)Changes in neuronal function results in disturbances to leptin responsiveness and food intake.
c) Environment in which we live has role in influencing energy homeostasis.
d) Infection, epigenetics , sleep debt, endocrine disruptors, can also ead to over weight.
e) Behavioural - Changes in behaviour partcularly with regards to diet and no exercises also leads to weight gain
LIFESTYLE FACTORS:
a) It includes intake of engineered junk foods, that are designed to be cheap and taste good that is hard to resist.
b)Food addiction: Sugar-sweetened foods, high fat junk foods stimulate the reward centre in our brains , People lose control over eating behaviour and thus start eating a lot more than their body metablism can take.
c)Insulin
Western diet promotes insulin resistance in many overweight and obese individuals. These elevate insulin levels all over the body causing energy to get stored in fat cells instead of being available for use.
d) Medications:
Some medications have been linked to weight gain over time eg: Antidepressants , antipsychotics etc.
e) Sugar
Sugar changes the biochemistry and hormones in body when consumed in excess , and lead to weight gain.