Obesity is a condition that affects many people all over the world. If you’ve been diagnosed with obesity, it’s important to understand the different factors that can influence this condition. One of these factors is genetics, which plays a critical role in causing obesity.

This article will provide information on the genetic factors that contribute to obesity, including the genes that influence metabolism, appetite, and body fat storage. It will also review specific genes and gene variations that affect obesity risk. Understanding these genes can be important for understanding obesity, weight, and energy balance in the body.

How Genetics Contribute to Obesity

Research shows that genetics are a significant factor in the development of obesity. Our genes can influence how effectively our bodies store adipose tissue (fat), how quickly we process nutrients, and how full we feel after eating. Recognizing these factors helps scientists understand and treat obesity.

In rare cases, obesity is caused by changes in a single gene (monogenic obesity). More commonly, obesity is caused by changes in multiple genes (called polygenic obesity). Furthermore, there are some genetic conditions that a person is born with that can cause obesity, among other symptoms. Some of these conditions include Prader-Willi syndrome, Cohen syndrome, and Bardet-Biedl syndrome.

To better understand how genetics affects obesity, you can think of it like a Rubik’s Cube. Each color on the cube represents a different gene or factor that plays a role in obesity. To solve the Rubik’s Cube, you need to understand how these various factors and genes work together. Alone, these genes may not have a huge impact on weight, but together, they can influence traits that contribute to weight and obesity. Some of these traits include metabolism, appetite, and the way the body stores body fat.

Metabolism

Genes have a special way of influencing how the human body can metabolize or break down food. One of the main ways that genes contribute to obesity is through metabolism. This refers to how the body converts food into energy in a process called energy expenditure.

Since each human body is unique, some people will have genes that cause their metabolism to work slower and burn fewer calories. This may cause a person to gain weight more easily. A calorie measures the amount of energy that food provides to the body. In some people, a high-calorie food will cause more weight gain than in others.

Appetite

Some genes also contribute to how hungry we feel after eating a meal. Depending on genetic variations, people may either still feel hungry or feel content and satiated after a meal. For those who are still hungry, this not only contributes to the risk of obesity but also may cause them to eat more than is needed. Feelings of hunger can create eating habits that may be difficult to overcome or control, leading to a faster rate of weight gain and risk of obesity.

Fat Storage

Fat storage is another key factor associated with the genetics of obesity. In some people, genes may affect how and where they store fat tissue in their body, and this influence could cause weight gain. This is usually seen in people who have a family history of obesity or childhood obesity.

Healthcare providers may use body mass index (BMI) to monitor weight and obesity. BMI may help estimate how much body fat is present and is used to help people reduce the risk of other diseases that can result from more body fat. Your healthcare provider can help determine a target BMI to manage obesity.

Which Genes Play a Role in Obesity?

Researchers have identified different genes that may be involved in obesity. Two of these include the fat mass and obesity-associated gene (FTO) and the melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R).

Fat Mass and Obesity-Associated Gene

The FTO gene plays an important role in how our bodies store and manage body fat. This gene has a strong impact on our appetite. If this gene is active, you may feel hungrier or end up eating more than you need to. Think about it like this — when you approach a traffic light, the color of the light tells you when to stop or go. Similarly, the FTO gene sends signals to your body about how to use the energy you get from food.

Melanocortin 4 Receptor

The MC4R gene plays an important role in determining how much food a person needs to eat and works with the FTO gene. When you eat and start to feel full, the MC4R gene sends a signal to a part of your brain called the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus is crucial for controlling hunger and managing energy balance and levels in the body.

If the MC4R gene isn’t functioning correctly or has changes known as mutations, it can lead to problems with appetite control. This means a person might eat more than what their body needs. Scientists are researching both the FTO and MC4R genes to discover new methods that can help people manage their body weight and improve their overall health.

There are many other genes scientists have identified as being related to obesity. Some of these include:

• LEP — Leptin
• LEPR — Leptin receptor
• POMC — Proopiomelanocortin

• PC1/3 — Prohormone convertase 1/3

Leptin resistance, like insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes, has been shown to play a role in obesity. People who have leptin resistance often can’t feel full, even though they have higher than normal levels of leptin in their blood.

Genetics and Environmental Factors May Work Together To Cause Obesity

Both genetics and environmental factors influence the development of obesity. When we talk about genetics, we refer to the traits and characteristics that we inherit from our parents when we’re born. Some people might have genetic traits that make it easier for them to gain body weight. However, just having these traits or genes doesn’t automatically mean they will develop obesity. Lifestyle factors — like how much we exercise and what we eat — can also affect how these genetic traits affect our bodies.

Even if other members of your family have obesity and you suspect genetics play a role in your diagnosis, testing for individual genes that can cause obesity is uncommon for practical reasons like cost. Doctors may suggest genetic testing for younger people if they show signs of a genetic syndrome that can also cause obesity.

Exercise and diet are important lifestyle factors for overall health, regardless of an obesity diagnosis. Regular exercise — such as a daily walk in the park or a run on the treadmill — can help a person maintain their weight. Regular exercise can make a big difference in how the human body responds to inherited genes.

Different types of diets, like some low-calorie diets, may help with weight loss, and getting proper nutrition can have a significant impact on your overall health. Even for people who don’t have genetic risk factors, eating a diet that is high in sugar and fats may cause weight gain.

While genetics can influence your chances of obesity, environmental and lifestyle factors are also crucial to your overall health. What you eat and how much you exercise can impact your risk of obesity. These factors can help you overcome genetic challenges and take control of your overall health.

The Importance of Improving Your Overall Well-Being

When it comes to your health, it’s important to focus on eating healthy and staying active rather than just focusing on weight loss. Instead of setting weight loss goals, try to aim for a balanced lifestyle that includes a healthy diet, regular exercise, and reasonable stress levels.

This not only helps with weight management but can also support your overall well-being. If you’ve been diagnosed with obesity and want to manage your weight effectively, a good starting point is speaking with a healthcare provider and working together to make a treatment plan that you can sustain.

Find Your Team

On MyObesityTeam, the social network and online support group for people with obesity and their loved ones, more than 56,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with obesity.

Have you been diagnosed with obesity? Do you have questions about genetics and obesity? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.