Pediatric
Dentistry of Garden
City
516-222-5100
Two new childhood obesity genes have been discovered! Studies
in the past have indicated that genes were associated with obesity in adults only,
and that obesity in children was caused by underlying conditions. This new study is
the first to link genes with childhood obesity in the general population.
Researchers are finding there is a clear genetic signature
to childhood obesity, showing that there are more than just environmental factors
involved. It is still unclear as to how these genes increase obesity risks.
Researchers scanned the genes of 5,530 obese children and 8,300 children who are not obese. This is when eight new genetic markers were found. To validate the results, researchers scanned an additional 2,000 obese children and 4,000 non-obese children and found two markers linked to childhood obesity.
Of course, factors such as unhealthy foods and lack of physical
activity and exercise have contributed to childhood obesity, there is still a
genetic component appearing in recent studies.
Since 1980, childhood obesity has tripled in the United
States. Currently, one-third of children and adolescents in the United States
are overweight or obese according to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention.
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