Fitness & Wellness
How Your DNA Can Make You Obese
Obesity in Malaysia: Introduction
Obesity in Malaysia is very common that we all have heard (or said) the phrase “Why am I putting on fat and my friend isn’t even though we are eating the same stuff?” A lot of us feel that way and feel like our weight gain is not justified. So why is it that some people can remain slim without exercise and no matter how much they eat, while others put on weight despite going on a diet and exercising a lot? This is because dieting is not easy and weight management is complex. The difficulty of losing weight, however, can vary from person to person. Some people eat as much as they can and still lose weight, while others have to follow a strict diet. This is not the work of magic, however. It is your genetic makeup and bodily composition. Your DNA determines all your bodily processes including metabolic rate, fat disposition, fat sensitivity, appetite control and many other factors which can determine the way your body deals with fat. Every element of human physiology, development, and adaptability is influenced by genes. Obesity is no different. Obesity is a trait that runs in families. Even though the members of the family don’t reside together or have similar activity and food consumption habits, having overweight ancestors raises one’s risk of developing obesity. That’s why understanding your DNA and your genetic composition might assist you in controlling your weight and taking a DNA test is recommended, especially if you have family members who struggle with weight maintenance.
What are the causes of obesity in Malaysia?
Obesity in Malaysia is caused by a variety of factors. Obesity is described as an abnormal accumulation of fat that has a detrimental impact on your health. Your DNA/genes impact your appetite, food cravings, satiety, metabolism, fat distribution, and the inclination to stress-eat in numerous ways, all of which contribute to the causes of obesity. Knowing what function your genes play in your weight can aid in the treatment of your weight problems. If both of your parents are obese, your chances of being obese are increased to 80%.
Obesity in Malaysia: Signs
The Body Mass Index is used to determine obesity (BMI). It’s a formula that divides your weight (in kilos) by your height squared (measured in meters). The resultant value is an indirect indication of your body mass, or the proportions of fat, muscle, and bone in your body. Your BMI might help you figure out how much fat you have and how much fat you need to reduce. If you’ve been overweight for much of your life but haven’t been able to lose weight with a continuous diet and exercise program, your genes may play a role in your weight. If you do have an overweight blood relative or parent, there’s a strong possibility that your weight is a hereditary issue – and the chances increase when both of your parents are overweight. At this stage, it may be preferable to perform a DNA test to better understand and determine the root cause and what genes have impacted your ability to manage your weight.
Risks of Obesity
Obesity raises your chance of developing illnesses such as:
- Hypertension
- Insulin resistance
- Diabetes
- Cardiovascular disease
- Stroke
- Dyslipidaemia
- Breathing Problems
- Sleep Apnoea
How Do I Lose Weight by Learning About My DNA?
There are several genes linked to obesity and understanding which ones they can help you figure out if you are genetically prone to having a higher fat content. Your hunger is directly influenced by genetic variables since they regulate hormones and fat cell processes, which determine how your body uses or metabolizes fat. Your risks of acquiring obesity-related physiological issues increase as your genetic risk for obesity rises. Early start of some diseases is unavoidable if your lifestyle and eating habits are bad, in addition to your genetic risk. Taking a DNA test that includes multiple traits that are linked to weight management, metabolic diseases and illnesses related to obesity and the regulation of fat, will help you understand your likelihood of becoming obese. This is even more important for people that have a family history of obesity as if both parents are obese there is an 80% chance that you will develop obesity as well. Fortunately, with the advancement of genomics, there are multiple DNA tests to take. MyPreciseDNA, for example, is a DNA test kit that can be done from home and includes 129 traits and 15 categories. The categories include traits such as obesity, diabetes, and fat sensitivity and even tell you how effective a low-fat diet might be. Taking a DNA test will help you discover the most suitable diet to live a healthy, fit, lifestyle. Learn more about how our DNA test can help you. It’s considered the most advanced DNA test in Malaysia that we can provide, so we’d like to offer you our premium DNA test. You can take advantage of this offer and reap the benefits of getting a DNA test.
References
- Genes are not destiny. Obesity Prevention Source. (2016, April 11). Retrieved December 21, 2021, from https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/obesity-prevention-source/obesity-causes/genes-and-obesity/
- Kelly Jones – last modified by Peter Allen. (2018, October 4). How is fat stored in the body? Nu You Aesthetics. Retrieved December 21, 2021, from https://www.nuyouaestheticsclinic.co.uk/how-is-fat-stored-in-the-body/
- NHS. (n.d.). NHS choices. Retrieved December 21, 2021, from https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/obesity/causes/
- Psomagen. (2020, March 23). The relationship between weight loss and Genetics. Psomagen. Retrieved December 21, 2021, from https://psomagen.com/the-relationship-between-weight-loss-and-genetics/