Will obesity be inherited?

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

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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.

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Written by Tang Zhuo
Endocrinology
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Obesity can cause which diseases

Firstly, obesity, also known as adiposity, is a chronic metabolic disease caused by excessive accumulation or abnormal distribution of body fat. Diseases closely related to obesity include cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, diabetes, etc. Complications of obesity also include sleep apnea syndrome, venous thrombosis, and others. Moreover, the occurrence of malignant tumors increases with obesity, as prolonged obesity can lead to skin folds that are prone to abrasions and subsequent fungal or purulent infections.

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Written by Zhao Xin Lan
Endocrinology
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Can obesity be contagious?

No. Obesity can be classified into primary and secondary types according to its cause. Primary obesity, also known as simple obesity, is the most common type and is mainly due to poor dietary habits, such as overeating, particularly excessive intake of fatty foods, and a sedentary lifestyle, and is not secondary to other diseases. Secondary obesity is caused by diseases such as hypothalamic-pituitary disorders, hypercortisolism, hypothyroidism, hypogonadism, and insulinoma. Therefore, the causes of obesity are not infectious factors, so obesity is not contagious. However, lifestyles can influence each other; being around people with poor lifestyles for a prolonged period can also lead to adopting poor lifestyle habits and potentially result in obesity.

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Written by Zhao Xin Lan
Endocrinology
1min 30sec home-news-image

Can people with obesity exercise?

Obesity is a metabolic disease caused by excessive accumulation of fat in the body or abnormal distribution, commonly referred to as obesity, with body weight exceeding the standard. Obesity can be due to excessive intake and insufficient exercise; thus, not only can obese individuals exercise, but they also need to persist in it. However, during exercise, it is important to consider special circumstances. The amount and method of exercise vary from person to person, and it is necessary to develop individualized exercise plans and choose exercises or programs that are easy to maintain while progressively advancing. However, when designing exercise treatment plans, it is crucial to consider the impact of complications, especially for patients with cardiovascular, respiratory, or musculoskeletal comorbidities, and choose suitable forms of exercise. Generally, it is recommended to exercise three to five days per week, with 30 to 45 minutes of appropriate activity each day. Patients with these complications should avoid intense exercises and can start with mild activities such as brisk walking, swimming, and strolling, or consult with rehabilitation specialists to develop appropriate individualized exercise plans.

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Written by Li Lang Bo
Endocrinology
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What are the dietary restrictions for obesity?

If it's obesity, it means a body mass index (BMI) greater than 28. In terms of dietary restrictions for obesity, the general principles are low salt and low fat. First and foremost, intake of fats should be limited, including both the cooking oils and foods consumed. Preference should be given to vegetable oils, and consumption of animal fats should be minimized. Even with vegetable oils, there is a limit to how much should be used, as excessive amounts can also exceed health standards. Furthermore, one should eat less fast food and junk food, such as various fried foods or those containing excessive seasonings, and these foods should be consumed minimally. There are also "invisible" fats to consider, such as those found in nut snacks and various small packaged snacks like peanuts and fried beans, which are very high in calories and should be consumed less. Additionally, sugary drinks like iced tea and pear syrup drinks should be avoided. The overall principle is a low-calorie diet, avoiding high-calorie foods.