Running Head: OBESITY AND GENETIC Page 1
Childhood Obesity and Genetics
Instructor Jason Romero
January 30, 2012
OBESITY AND GENETICS Page 2
Childhood obesity has increased drastically over the past twenty years, and is now
considered a public health concern. Obesity is a common disease at present it is the most
prevalent nutritional disease of children and adolescents in the United States,
where it affects 1 in 5 children (Wickins-Drazlova, D., Williamds, G. August 2010).
The purpose of this research study is to show that genetics is not the major contributor to
childhood obesity. Although there are genetic factors that may contribute to obesity in some
children, recent studies have shown that a child’s environment is the major cause. Genetic causes
of obesity can be managed with a structured home environment that consists of healthy food and
There are studies that have been conducted that show that although genetics does play a
role in the obesity of children it is not the primary factor. A child’s environment is the major cause of obesity (Kiess, W., Marcus, C., Wabit, C.R., 2004). Genetic causes of obesity can be managed with a structured home environment that consists of healthy food and physical activity.
In today’s economy in most families both parents work outside the home so because of time constraints they often skip breakfast, eat out, serve prepared food that is high in calories, and serve more fast food. . Also, latch key children who are home alone for a while before their parents get home from work tend to make poor nutritional choices when selecting their own snacks (Anderson, 2003). These changes in meal patterns play a major factor in the obesity problems that face most families today.
A child’s eating and exercise habits are major factors in their predisposition to obesity
( Ding, E, Hu F., 2008). Today children are not as active as they use...