W9-L3: Modifiable Factors that Lead to Obesity

Question 1

What Modifiable factors can cause Obesity?

12

Answer 1

1. Epigenetics
2. Physical inactivity
3. Excessive caloric intake
4. Gestational Issues
5. Sleep
6. Drugs
7. Medical conditions
8. Socioeconomic status
9. Ethnicity
10. Psychosocial stress
11. Endocrine disrupting
12. Gastrointestinal microbiome:

Question 2

What Modifiable factors can cause Obesity?

Epigenetics

Answer 2

is the study of changes that affect genetic expression without changes to the underlying DNA sequence, acquired through interaction with the environment (diet physical activity stress) and are also heritable

• Twin, family and adoption studies estimate the heritability of obesity to be between 40% and 70%
• Having a high-risk genetic profile makes a person more susceptible to an obesogenic environment but does not necessitate obesity

Question 3

What Modifiable factors can cause Obesity?

Physical inactivity

Answer 3

those with higher genetic risk scores benefit the most from even light exercise

(More than 28% of the world’s adult population and 81% of adolescents were physically inactive in 2016, WHO).

Question 4

What Modifiable factors can cause Obesity?

Excessive caloric intake

Answer 4

not so simple as was once thought - the pathophysiology of
obesity is more complex but can’t ignore the emergence of obesogenic environments that have likely contributed to the problem

Question 5

What Modifiable factors can cause Obesity?

Gestational Issues

Answer 5

Gestational weight gain and gestational diabetes contributes to obesity in children

Question 6

What Modifiable factors can cause Obesity?

Sleep

Answer 6

Lack of sleep reduces glucose intolerance, insulin sensitivity and leptin levels and increases the levels of cortisol and ghrelin - and, therefore, appetite

Question 7

What Modifiable factors can cause Obesity?

Drugs

Answer 7

some antidepressants, antipsychotics, antidiabetics, a2 adrenergic agonists, b2 adrenergic agonists, steroids can cause significant weight gain in some people

Question 8

What Modifiable factors can cause Obesity?

Medical conditions

Answer 8

hypothyroidism, metabolic syndrome

Question 9

What Modifiable factors can cause Obesity?

Socioeconomic status

Answer 9

lower status is associated with higher prevalence of obesity

Question 10

What Modifiable factors can cause Obesity?

Question 11

What Modifiable factors can cause Obesity?

Ethnicity

Answer 11

Certain ethnicities are more predisposed to gaining weight than others

Question 12

What Modifiable factors can cause Obesity?

Psychosocial stress:

Answer 12

Stress increases chronic exposure to glucocorticoids (promoting abdominal obesity) and contributes to emotional comfort eating

Question 13

What Modifiable factors can cause Obesity?

Endocrine disruption

Answer 13

Endocrine disrupting chemicals can interfere with hormonal action and upset normal endocrine functions e.g. PCBs, BPAs

Question 14

What Modifiable factors can cause Obesity?

Gastrointestinal microbiome

Answer 14

Two phyla are predominantly seen to inhabit people with obesity: Firmicutes and Bacteroides