Fighting Fat

TALKING about genetic predisposition, it8217;s easy to lose sight of a major public health concern: obesity. The oversight is disturbing be...

TALKING about genetic predisposition, it8217;s easy to lose sight of a major public health concern: obesity. The oversight is disturbing because obesity is central to diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Obesity in the US population has gone up from 15 per cent in 1980 to 27 per cent in 1999. In India, though the focus is more on threats like smoking, obesity is fast becoming a key issue.

What is obesity?
It is a metabolic condition characterised by an excessively high amount of body fat or adipose tissue.

How do genes impact obesity?
Obesity results from a combination of calorific abundance, physical inactivity and a susceptible genotype. Although obesity syndromes can be caused by mutations in genes, these are extremely rare. Obesity is measured by the Body Mass Index BMI, a figure reached by dividing weight in kg by height in metres squared. The normal range is 18.5-24.9, overweight is 25-29.9; beyond that is obese.

Obesity in the family
Wake-up call: If your child is on the heavier side, the antennae should go up. 8216;8216;If a plump infant remains fat till the age of 12, s/he may lose the fat in adolescence, only for it to reappear at 20 or so,8217;8217; says Dr Alok Agarwal, senior consultant at Indraprastha Apollo, New Delhi.
Watch out for: Crossing the BMI normal range.
Wellness regime: Small losses in weight impact health positively. Exercise lowers blood pressure and enhances cardiorespiratory fitness.

Osteoporosis in the family
Wake-up call: Obesity heightens risk of osteoporosis. It affects one post-menopausal woman in three and one man in 12 after 50.
Watch out for: Easy fractures, especially of the hip, wrists, spine, brought on by bone mineral loss. Previous surgery enhances risk.
Wellness regime: Avoid fizzy drinks. A Harvard Medical School study found that the high level of phosphates in fizzy drinks causes the body to divert calcium from the bones to maintain the required 1:1 ratio of phosphates and calcium in the blood. Exercise daily. Eat dairy products. Soak in the sunshine, which provides Vitamin D that the bones need. Women should keep a tab on progesterone levels.

Gout in the family

Wake-up call: Between 22 and 30. Obesity encourages high uric acid levels in the blood, which accumulates in the joints, says Dr Agarwal.
Watch out for: Swelling and pain in the joints, especially the big toe. Stones can also develop in the kidneys.
Wellness regime: Exercise and controlled diet. Avoid red meat, alcohol, dal and beans. Drink lots of water. Control weight.

Asthma in the family
Wake-up call: Asthma could strike a one-month old or a 21-year-old. It8217;s not preventable, but obesity, again, is an enhancer.
Wellness regime: Proper care and good nutrition8212;a balanced diet comprising 60 per cent carbs, 30-35 per cent proteins and 10-15 per cent fats8212;can prevent recurrent attacks, even if they can8217;t cure the disease completely. Build up immunity, which prevents infection, and thus attacks. Exercise is essential. Dr Agarwal advises restraint against fried food and fats.

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Alzheimer8217;s in the family
Wake-up call: The degenerative brain disorder causing memory loss, confusion and perception problems usually affects people above the age of 65, but some people are genetically predisposed to it.
Wellness regime: Researchers say a crossword a day cuts your Alzheimer8217;s risk by half. Walk two km a day8212;scientists found this can reduce age-related mental decline by 13 per cent. Avoid aluminium-based pots, foil and antacids: Alzheimer8217;s patients have high aluminium levels in their brains.