The Role of Genetics in Obesity and Surgical Weight Loss Options

The battle against obesity is hard enough without having genetic factors that are standing in the way of getting thin. Genetics play a large role in weight, from being thin to being overweight. Often, when you see someone who is overweight, his or her parents are overweight as well.

One way in which genetics affects obesity is that metabolism rates are passed down from one generation to the next. That means that if a parent has a slow metabolism they can then pass that trait on to their children. A slow metabolism will make it very difficult to keep weight off.

Genetics can also affect the makeup of the body and how fat is stored. Some people might be able to disperse their weight around their body, while others might hold onto weight in their midsections, and then become obese. This is often seen in people who have very small legs but large stomachs. This uneven distribution of fat can lead to a higher incidence of obesity related health issues.

Emotional problems also run in families, and often those emotional problems cause people to eat. If a child grows up with parents who eat when they are upset, the child will then learn those same behaviors. Similarly, children learn from their parents more general diet and exercise behaviors. If a family does not instill sensible eating and exercise habits from any early age, a person may find it more difficult to maintain a healthy weight later in life.

While it can be difficult to fight against genetics and learned behaviors, it is possible. It might take extra work at the gym, but people can move past their genetic predispositions and get in shape. When people understand their bodies, they are more likely to lose the weight in a way that will work for them. However, when diet and exercise efforts have failed, weight loss surgery may be a good option.



Have diets and exercise programs failed you? Are you ready to take the next step? Speak with a skilled bariatric surgery specialist to learn about weight loss surgery options for patients suffering from morbid obesity.