Obesity Rates Drop For 2

At the Diabetes and Obesity Center, we study the health effects of diabetes and obesity and how they contribute to heart disease risk. Our dedicated team of scientists is developing a new understanding of the risk factors fueling the diabetes and obesity epidemics, and discovering novel strategies for their treatment and prevention. This pioneering research is creating new knowledge to help patients live healthier and more productive lives. Governments and health care professionals across the world are becoming worried, very worried. Why? Because despite their best efforts to persuade people to eat a healthier diet and to take more exercise, the obesity epidemic is getting worse.

Leptin, which takes its name from the Greek word leptos meaning thin, was discovered in 1994 and is associated with the Ob(lep) gene Ob - obesity , lep - leptin which is located on chromosome 7 in human beings. In somewhat simplified terms leptin is a protein hormone produced by fat cells which enters the blood stream and travels to the brain, where a high level of leptin in the blood tells the brain that you have sufficient energy reserves or that your energy reserves are too high and that the body needs to burn off some fat.

Genetics and DNA have been found to be a contributing factor in the causes of childhood obesity Unfortunately, some children are naturally predisposed to obesity These children are born with genes that cause them to put on weight more quickly than other children. The children with certain genes end up storing the fat more easily than other children. There is not much that these children can do about their genes, but there are steps that they can take to conquer the obesity Childhood obesity has made it to the forefront of public health issues, both in the United Kingdom and in the United States.

The rate of obesity in adolescents in the past 30 years has risen faster than in children and nearly three times as fast as in adults,” says Ochner. “This is alarming because 70% of obese teens become obese adults, so the teen years are a time when we really want to reach kids and help them build healthier habits.” Child and adolescent obesity is also associated with increased risk of emotional problems. Teens with weight problems tend to have much lower self-esteem and be less popular with their peers. Depression , anxiety , and obsessive compulsive disorder can also occur.

Psychological factors Psychological factors also influence eating habits and obesity. Many people eat in response to negative emotions such as boredom, sadness, or anger. People who have difficulty with weight management may be facing more emotional and psychological issues; about 30% of people who seek treatment for serious weight problems have difficulties with binge eating. During a binge-eating episode, people eat large amounts of food while feeling they can't control how much they are eating. The AMA is committed to obesity prevention and reduction through its established efforts, as well as by advancing new projects and initiatives which will provide up-to-date patient and physician resources.