“We know from research that some genetic predisposition increases your risk to be overweight and obese, but it can be overcome by lifestyle,” says Zhaoping Li, MD, PhD, director of the Center for Human Nutrition at the University of California, Los Angeles. “Genetics load the gun, environment pulls the trigger.”
There are some genes associated with obesity and overweight. In some people, genes can affect how their bodies change food into energy and store fat. Genes can also affect people's lifestyle choices. There are also some rare genetic conditions that can cause obesity, such as Prader-Willi syndrome.
You're indeed at an increased risk for obesity if you're genetically predisposed — but that doesn't mean it has to be your life. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 15 genes play a role in obesity.
A small amount of fat is an essential part of a healthy, balanced diet. Fat is a source of essential fatty acids, which the body cannot make itself. Fat helps the body absorb vitamin A, vitamin D and vitamin E. These vitamins are fat-soluble, which means they can only be absorbed with the help of fats.
Some people may be genetically protected from developing insulin resistance. Others are genetically programmed to store fat in the hips or thighs, which is less metabolically hazardous than storing fat around the abdomen. The concept of metabolically healthy obesity could be used to help guide treatment.
A higher BMI is associated with a greater risk of health problems. But the risks are clearer for people with obesity versus those with moderately overweight status. Research has suggested that people who are moderately overweight may have a lower overall risk of mortality and health problems.
But your weight alone can't tell you whether you're underweight, healthy, or overweight. If you're 6'4" and you weigh 200 pounds, you're probably at a healthy weight; but if you're 5'9" and weigh 200 pounds, you're probably overweight. Curiosity Project: Has agricultural development affected human obesity?
A person's build depends largely on genetic factors, which is why it is difficult for a naturally thin person to put on weight. The human body can change to a limited extent through weight training and increased food intake. Gaining or regaining weight can be just as difficult as losing weight.
Equally unfortunate is the fact that cortisol belly doesn't have a specific appearance, despite what countless infographics on the internet will tell you. Cortisol belly simply looks like abdominal fat, and there is no way to identify it by appearance.
Genetic influences
Research suggests that for some people, genes account for just 25% of the predisposition to be overweight, while for others the genetic influence is as high as 70% to 80%. Having a rough idea of how large a role genes play in your weight may be helpful in terms of treating your weight problems.
Reducing calories and practicing healthier eating habits are key to overcoming obesity. Although you may lose weight quickly at first, steady weight loss over the long term is considered the safest way to lose weight. It's also the best way to keep weight off permanently. There is no best weight-loss diet.
Fluid retention in the body: If you experience rapid weight gain, this signals underlying conditions that impact the heart, liver, and kidneys, as well as an adrenal problem, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and hypothyroidism. Poor sleep: Not getting enough quality sleep leads to weight gain.
A genetic component to obesity has also been confirmed in adoption studies (3). These comparisons indicate that the genetic transmission of obesity is at least as large as the nongenetic transmission.
A few people have high BMIs but don't have much body fat. Their muscle tissue pushes up their weight. Kahan points to very muscular people, like football players or body builders. “Their BMI shows up pretty high, and yet their body fat is actually pretty low," Kahan says.
The naturally skinny body type is often called the “ectomorph” body type. It's named for the ectoderm—the skin. The psychologist who coined it was trying to link skinniness with being nervous, fidgety, and introverted.
What is mummy tummy. If you have had a baby, then you will likely have experienced what we lovingly call a 'Mummy tummy'. It's that soft, squidgy, bulging belly that so often occurs after having had a baby, and for many women it persists for a long time afterwards.
PCOS belly occurs when you develop excess fat or weight gain around your abdomen. This symptom often occurs due to an underlying diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome. Hormonal imbalances and insulin resistance due to PCOS can influence your weight, causing you to gain unwanted weight.
Stress and the cortisol awakening response (CAR) have been independently linked to increases in abdominal fat depots.
But, being too thin takes a more immediate toll on your heart. Being underweight can lead to fatigue, dizziness, brain fog, fertility problems, and a weakened immune system. Research has shown that people who are “overweight” may live longer than people with low body weights.
Getting curves in the right places is a matter of genetics, but advancements in medicine and technology have made the aspiration a reality for more people.
In general, weight gain from fat will result in a softer appearance, while weight gain from muscle will leave you looking leaner and feeling stronger. The most accurate way to assess any change in your body composition is through body composition testing.
BMI percentages are not perfect for identifying health risks. For instance, a 5'9″ person who weighs 180 lbs is considered overweight.
The ideal body weight for age and height is a little different for everyone; it's based on gender, body fat percentage, build, and other factors. Average American weights heights are considered obese -- about 170 lbs./5'3” for women and 197 lbs./5'9” for men -- so “average” doesn't mean “healthy.”
Following the 1-2 pound per week guideline, most people can expect to lose 4-8 pounds within one month. That might not seem like a lot, but it can equal 0.5-1% of your body weight if you weigh 200 pounds.