Exercise Physiology: Theory and Application to Fitness and Performance 9th Edition by Scott Powers, Edward Howley

Exercise 12

Is obesity more related to genetics or the environment?

Step 1 of 3

Obesity has several contributing factors, and there is no single cause that is responsible for obesity. Obesity is related to both environmental and genetic factors. Studies had proven that 70% to 80% of children had at least one obese parent. However, the data was difficult to interpret since cultural background interferes with genetics.

Certain cultural backgrounds need extreme physical work, like those who live in mountain terrains or deserts. The intake of fatty food is very less in those cultures. Similarly, the extreme social pressure against obesity might not allow genetic predisposition to be expressed.