Jillian O’Neil KNH 411 10/15/13 Case Study #1 Pediatric Weight Management – Current research indicated that the cause of childhood obesity is multifactorial. Briefly outline the roles of genetics, environment, and nutritional intake in development of obesity in children. The cause of childhood obesity is multifactorial based on the role of genetics, the environment, – and nutritional intake. In regards to genetics, body weight and composition is influenced by appetite, energy intake, resting energy expenditure, taste preferences, the thermic effect of food, nonexercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT), and the body’s efficiency to store energy. Research has shown that each individual has a determined metabolic set-point” that maintains “genetically a preferred body weight. In addition, it has been shown that having obeses family members increases one’s risk of obesity. Genetics influences the amount of weight gained, the change in fat and the change in lead body mass over a period of time. Those in predisposition to obesity will most likely gain more weight than those not genetically predisposed. Although genetics plays an important factor, environmental factors are more influential and play a greater etiological role (Nelms 357). Research has shown that the term of food environment” is a “toxic cause of childhood obesity. This environment encourages high-energy intake as well as an increase of portion sizes, fast-food intake (increasing dietary fat intake), convenient and snack foods, and marketing tactics towards children. It has been shown that when larger portion sizes are offered, the subject is more likely to consume a higher energy intake (Nelms 257, 258). Lastly, nutritional intake is another important factor of the development in childhood obesity. Excessive fat, refined grains, and added sugar intake all lead to obesity. Research has shown that
Jillian O’Neil KNH 411 10/15/13 Case Study #1 – Pediatric Weight Management Current research indicated that the cause of childhood obesity is multifactorial. Briefly outline the roles of genetics, environment, and nutritional intake in development of obesity in children. The cause of childhood obesity is multifactorial – based on the role of genetics, the environment, and nutritional intake. In regards to genetics, body weight and composition is influenced by appetite, energy intake, resting energy expenditure, taste preferences, the thermic effect of food, nonexercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT), and the body’s efficiency to store energy. Research has shown that each individual has a “genetically determined metabolic set-point” that maintains a preferred body weight. In addition, it has been shown that having obeses family members increases one’s risk of obesity. Genetics influences the amount of weight gained, the change in fat and the change in lead body mass over a period of time. Those in predisposition to obesity will most likely gain more weight than those not genetically predisposed. Although genetics plays an important factor, environmental factors are more influential and play a greater etiological role (Nelms 357). Research has shown that the term of “toxic food environment” is a cause of childhood obesity. This environment encourages high-energy intake as well as an increase of portion sizes, fast-food intake (increasing dietary fat intake), convenient and snack foods, and marketing tactics towards children. It has been shown that when larger portion sizes are offered, the subject is more likely to consume a higher energy intake (Nelms 257, 258). Lastly, nutritional intake is another important factor of the development in childhood obesity. Excessive fat, refined grains, and added sugar intake all lead to obesity. Research has shown that
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