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Obesity is the second leading preventable cause of death after smoking.

Obesity is mainly caused by consuming more calories than are used during physical activity and daily life, but studies have shown that genetic factors play an important role.

General prevention involves balancing dietary intake and physical activity to maintain a healthy body weight.

Obesity, defined by the World Health Organization as a body mass index (BMI) greater than 30 kg/m², is an ever increasing problem in most regions of the world.

It is estimated that there were more than 400 million obese individuals over the age of 15 worldwide in 2005 and this number is projected to rise to over 700 million by 2015. The prevalence of obesity among adults in the US is 32.2% and in 2005 the number of obesity -related deaths was calculated to be over 100,000 per year. Overweight and obesity among American children (ages 6-19 years) has risen dramatically in the last decade, with a prevalence of more than 17%. The prevalence of adult obesity in Europe varies by country, but is as high as 20% for men and 30% for women.

Adult obesity is a major risk factor for several conditions such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, abnormal blood cholesterol, high blood pressure, osteoarthritis, and some forms of cancer. The associated co-morbidities of childhood obesity are no less serious than in the adult form and include related conditions of the aforementioned adult complications as well as early puberty, orthopedic problems, and various psychological symptoms. Furthermore, individuals who are obese as children are more likely to be obese as adults, especially if one or both parents are also obese.

Obesity is known to run in families, but despite considerable efforts, mainly rare genetic variants have been identified that increase the risk of becoming obese. However, our scientists at deCODE genetics and others have recently discovered new variants, bringing the total to 11 variants in 11 regions of the genome, that increase an individual’s risk of being obese.

The deCODEme Complete Scan identifies the above mentioned variants and provides interpretation of their associated risk for becoming obese in customers of European descent. Information regarding the association between obesity and the above mentioned variants in other ethnicities is currently unavailable.

risk factors

Risk factors for developing obesity include:

• Childhood obesity: Obesity in children and adolescents often continues into adulthood.
• Being overweight: Overweight is defined as a body mass index (BMI) greater than 25 kg/m² but less than 30 kg/m². Being overweight can eventually lead to obesity.
• Excessive caloric intake: Increased caloric intake, especially in the form of saturated fats and simple sugars, increases the risk of becoming obese.
• Sedentary lifestyle: A sedentary lifestyle and general lack of physical activity increases the likelihood of becoming obese.
• Ethnicity: Hispanic and African Americans are at greatest risk, followed by individuals of European and Asian descent.
• Genetics: Twin and adoption studies have shown that genetic factors play an important role in obesity. Large groups of individuals have been evaluated for genetic variation related to the development of obesity. The genetic variations identified can be divided into 2 main groups:
  1. 1) rare forms that explain only a small fraction of the obese population, and
  2. 2) common forms that are present in a larger proportion of the obese population, such as the ones presented here.

prevention and treatment

Obesity is the second leading preventable cause of death after smoking. Obesity is mainly caused by consuming more calories than are used during physical activity and daily life. General prevention involves balancing dietary intake and physical activity to maintain a healthy body weight.

Treatment for obesity includes restricted caloric intake and an exercise program. Both should be structured towards permanent change in lifestyle and long-term maintenance of an appropriate weight. An obesity treatment regimen may include behavioral management (such as goal setting and support groups), medications, and, in some cases, surgery. Everyone intending to make significant changes in their diet or lifestyle should first seek advice from their doctor. Treatment of obesity is a crucial health issue because it is associated with many other serious diseases.

more information

You can find out more information about obesity by talking with your doctor and visiting these Web sites:

• American Diabetes Association
• American Heart Association
• American Obesity Association
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Obesity in America
• Weight-Control Information Network

This content was last reviewed on February 08, 2010.

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