Dear Jenn,
According to my children’s pediatrician, my children fall into the obese category on the growth charts. I have four children, ages 12, 10, 7 and 4. In your “Ask Jenn” column “Obesity Worries” (February 24, 2022) obesity is considered a disease. My husband and I, as well as numerous family members, are overweight (siblings, parents, some cousins). Is this genetic? Can anything be done?
Sincerely,
Genetically Weighted Family
Dear Genetically Weighted Family,
I appreciate your situation and concern for your children and family. Consider the following:
Is Childhood Obesity a Disease?
Yes, even in childhood, obesity is considered a disease. A body mass index (BMI) at or above the 95th percentile of the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) growth charts, is problematic. Obesity puts the child at a greater risk for health issues like diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, cancer and others. Obesity has been on the rise for decades, but it is becoming increasingly prevalent in children.
According to the CDC, nearly 20% of children between the ages of 2 and 19, especially in minority groups, are at risk. With the rise in childhood obesity, it has become an epidemic.
Is Genetics Involved With Weight?
Research suggests that for some people, genes account for just 25% of the predisposition to be overweight. Others suggest that the genetic influence is as high as 70%-80%. Having a rough idea of how large a role genes play in your weight may be helpful in terms of treating weight.
About 35-40% of a child’s BMI is inherited from parents. For the most obese children, the proportion rises to 55-60%. This suggests that heredity plays a role in weight. Other studies suggest that there can be many factors involved, such as habits, lifestyle and environment. And some medical problems may also increase the risk of obesity.
In the Pediatric Child Health Journal, December 19, 2014, the gene MC4R (melanocortin-4 receptor gene) was associated with weight. When this gene mutates, it is associated with childhood-onset obesity.
How Do Genes Control Energy Balance?
The brain regulates food intake by responding to signals from fat tissue (adipose), the pancreas and the digestive tract. These signals are transmitted by hormones such as leptin, insulin, ghrelin and other small molecules. The brain processes these signals and responds with instructions to either eat more or reduce energy, or to do the opposite. Small changes in certain genes can affect the body’s levels of activity, and can result in obesity.
Energy is crucial to survival. Human energy regulation is primed to protect against weight loss, rather than to control weight gain. The “Thrifty Genotype Hypothesis” suggests that the same genes that helped our ancestors survive famines are challenged by environments with plentiful food year-round.
Can You Overcome Genetics?
Yes, one suggestion is by having a physically active lifestyle. In Food and Nutritional Sciences, Vimal Karani and co-investigators show that physical activity attenuates the BMI-increasing effects of FTO (fat mass and obesity-associated) risk factors.
A study, ”Obesity Genes and Weight Loss During Lifestyle Intervention in Children With Obesity,” JAMA Pediatrics 2021, presented evidence that environmental, social and behavioral factors play a prominent role in obesity treatment strategies in children, whereas genetics are secondary.
What Can You Do?
Healthy Eating Habits—Teach your children about portion control, and how to avoid unhealthy snacks. Eat meals at set times and provide a healthy diet full of fruits, vegetables and lean proteins.
Plenty of Activity—Ensure that your child gets plenty of physical activity. This can be done by being active as a family, enrolling them in a sports team and encouraging outdoor activities with other kids. No matter what, make sure they get moving.
Limit Sedentary Behavior—Watching TV, browsing the internet and playing video games can still be enjoyed, but provide limits. Stick to them!
Healthy Sleeping Routine—Too little sleep contributes to obesity. Being tired causes us to eat more and be less physically active. Help kids develop healthy sleep routines by going to bed at the same time every night, limiting screen time before bed, and making sure they get enough sleep.
The easiest way to keep your child healthy is to practice healthy habits as a family. Parents are role models for children. What you do now will determine what your child does and as they grow up.
What About Medications?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the medication Imcivree (setmelanotide) for children 6 years and older with obesity due to certain genetic conditions. It reduces appetite and may be used for up to one year.
Orlistat is an FDA-approved medication for treating obesity in adolescents aged 12 and older. It decreases the ability to absorb fat in the intestines.
Conclusion
Childhood obesity is not only about appearances, it is about well-being. It comprises both physical and mental health. An overweight child finds it more difficult to exercise, resulting in lowered self-esteem.
If you or any family members are overweight, Nutrition Transformations is here to help. We are experienced in helping people with weight loss, exercise and development of healthy living skills.
Call today! We are here for you and your loved ones.
Yours in good health,
Jenn
718-644-1387
WWW.nu-transform.com
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See March blog: “March into Spring”
Celebrating National Nutrition Month!
By Jennifer Chapler, MS RD CDN
