Is obesity in the genes?

Overweight and obesity are among the most pressing health problems in industrialized countries. Overweight is defined as a BMI (Body Mass Index) of over 25, obesity as a BMI of 30 or more. According to Statistics Austria, around 40% of the population in Austria over the age of 15 are overweight and around 17% of these are obese. By the age of eight, every third boy and every fourth girl is overweight or obese.

The BMI is calculated by dividing your current weight in kg by your height in meters squared:

BMI = kg/m2.

There are many reasons for being overweight and, to a certain extent, obesity is also genetic. Genes can have a significant influence not only on the storage of fat, but also on eating behavior. This involves the hunger and satiety effect, self-discipline, snacking behavior and much more. Nevertheless, genetics is only part of the overall picture and external factors such as lifestyle, social environment, sport and diet are at least as important for a healthy body weight.

It runs in the family...

Experts believe that in the case of obesity, i.e. severe or pathological overweight, genetics plays a decisive role in addition to environmental influences (epigenetics).

• Lifestyle (exercise, diet)
• chronic stress
• mental illnesses
• depression, mental instability
• Eating disorders
• Hormonal disorders
• Medication
• Eating behavior

What does genetics have to do with it?