Will obesity be inherited?

Written by Chen Li Ping
Endocrinology
Updated on April 22, 2025
00:00
00:00

The primary cause of simple obesity, where the reason for being overweight is unclear, is an energy intake that exceeds energy expenditure. There are also certain genetic factors involved. Generally, it is believed that susceptibility to obesity varies among human races, along with the presence of obesity genes and variations in genes related to obesity. Additionally, an individual’s metabolic type, appetite, digestive absorption functions, sleep quality, and metabolic efficiency form the basis for the development of simple obesity. Poor lifestyle habits, such as insufficient physical activity and excessive energy intake, are necessary conditions for its occurrence. Epidemiological surveys have shown that most people with simple obesity have a familial tendency towards the condition. Children born to obese parents are 5-8 times more likely to develop simple obesity than those born to parents who both have a normal weight. However, the majority of cases of simple obesity are not caused by obesity genes or mutations in genes related to obesity.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhao Xin Lan
Endocrinology
46sec home-news-image

What tests are needed for obesity?

Obesity, also known as adiposity, is a chronic metabolic disease caused by excessive accumulation of fat or abnormal fat distribution in the body. Therefore, once obesity is diagnosed, it is necessary to conduct tests related to metabolism, such as blood glucose, blood lipids, blood pressure, and blood uric acid, which are commonly known as the "four highs" tests. Additionally, liver function tests and kidney function tests should be completed to exclude obesity caused by other diseases. It is also necessary to conduct examinations for pituitary tumors, adrenal cortex function, and thyroid function to determine whether the obesity is secondary to other diseases.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Luo Han Ying
Endocrinology
36sec home-news-image

What department should obesity be treated in?

Obesity should be considered based on the specific situation. If the patient has uniform obesity, meaning that the limbs and torso are equally fat, then they should visit the nutrition department for guidance on dietary control, diet adjustments, and increased exercise. However, if the patient's obesity appears different, for example, if they have a very thick back, a larger belly, a red face, and acne, then I suggest they consult the endocrinology department because it might be related to Cushing's syndrome, which involves centripetal obesity.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Chen Li Ping
Endocrinology
1min 18sec home-news-image

Will obesity be inherited?

The primary cause of simple obesity, where the reason for being overweight is unclear, is an energy intake that exceeds energy expenditure. There are also certain genetic factors involved. Generally, it is believed that susceptibility to obesity varies among human races, along with the presence of obesity genes and variations in genes related to obesity. Additionally, an individual’s metabolic type, appetite, digestive absorption functions, sleep quality, and metabolic efficiency form the basis for the development of simple obesity. Poor lifestyle habits, such as insufficient physical activity and excessive energy intake, are necessary conditions for its occurrence. Epidemiological surveys have shown that most people with simple obesity have a familial tendency towards the condition. Children born to obese parents are 5-8 times more likely to develop simple obesity than those born to parents who both have a normal weight. However, the majority of cases of simple obesity are not caused by obesity genes or mutations in genes related to obesity.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Tang Zhuo
Endocrinology
41sec home-news-image

What diseases are people with obesity prone to?

Obesity, also known as adiposis, is a chronic metabolic disease caused by excessive accumulation or abnormal distribution of body fat. It results from the interaction of multiple factors, including genetics and environmental elements. Patients with obesity have a significantly increased incidence of hypertension, coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, sleep apnea, cholecystitis, cholelithiasis, osteoarticular diseases, and certain tumors and cardiovascular diseases are closely related to obesity.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Tang Zhuo
Endocrinology
1min 33sec home-news-image

Obesity weight loss methods

The treatment of obesity involves two main components. One is reducing calorie intake and the other is increasing calorie consumption, mainly emphasizing a comprehensive treatment based primarily on diet and exercise. Secondly, medications or surgical treatments can be utilized. In the case of secondary obesity, it is important to treat the underlying cause. So, what is behavioral therapy? It involves educating patients and their families about obesity and its risks, enabling them to cooperate with the treatment, adopt a healthy lifestyle, change dietary and exercise habits, and maintain these changes consciently in the long term as the foremost and most important measures in the treatment of obesity. Thirdly, controlling diet and increasing physical activity are crucial. Individuals with mild obesity can control their total food intake with a low-calorie, low-fat diet. For those with moderate to severe obesity, total calorie intake should be strictly controlled, with women limited to 1200-1500 kcal per day and men to 1500-1800 kcal per day. Following this standard, a weight loss of 1-2 pounds per week can be achieved. Furthermore, for severe obesity, medications can be used to reduce weight, which can then be maintained. If necessary, surgical procedures such as jejunoileal bypass or biliopancreatic diversion surgery can be considered.