Childhood and Adulthood Obesity: A Report Analysis and Discussion

This report delves into the multifaceted issue of childhood and adulthood obesity, examining its prevalence and contributing factors. The paper begins by defining obesity using BMI and WHR, referencing statistics from the Australian Bureau of Statistics to highlight the significant rates of obesity in the Australian population, particularly among males. The report then presents two key points that challenge the notion that managing childhood obesity is key to reducing adult obesity. Firstly, it discusses the complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors, arguing that while genetic predispositions exist, the rapid increase in obesity cannot be solely attributed to genetic changes. Secondly, the report explores behavioral factors like sedentary lifestyles, overeating, and substance use (alcoholism and smoking) as significant contributors to adult obesity. The report concludes by disagreeing with the idea that adult obesity does not result from childhood obesity, emphasizing the numerous factors influencing the increasing rates of obesity and overweight among adults.

Running Head: Childhood and Adulthood Obesity 1
Childhood and adulthood obesity
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Obesity is a complex chronic disorder comprising of genetic, cultural, psychological,
social, behavioral, physiologic, and metabolic factors. In different literature, various authors
define obesity as surplus deposition of fat in the body while others define it as an excess of fat in
specific locations. However, current evidence defines obesity using BMI (body mass index) or
WHR (waist/hip ratio) (Lenzi, Migliaccio, & Donini, 2015). From the Australian Bureau of
Statistics in 2011-2012, 63 percent of Australians were considered obese from their BMI
measurements (Healey, 2015). It was observed that the prevalence of males with obesity was
greater than that of females that is 42 percent against 35 percent. The occurrence has increased
from 64 percent to 70 percent between males, and 49 percent to 56 percent amongst female since
1995 in the National Nutrition Survey. Also, from Australian National Children’s Nutrition and
Physical Activity Survey 17 percent of girls and boys within 2-16 age brackets were categorized
as overweight with 6 percent obese (Aznar, Pigeot, & Ahrens, 2011). Additionally,
demographics including people from distinct ethnicity, geographical location and socio-
economically underprivileged in Australia have higher incidences of obesity compared with the
rest of the population. This paper explains two points that contribute to adulthood obesity.
The first point is the relationship between Genetic and environmental factors
which causes obesity. Variations in some genes may lead to weight increase and distribution of
excess fats in the body thus causing obesity. Polymorphisms in several genes which control
metabolism and appetite predispose to obesity in specific dietary conditions. In human
population genetic changes takes place too gradually to be accountable for the epidemic of
obesity (Bouchard, 2010). However, the difference in the way people react to similar
environment implies that genes usually have a role in obesity advancement. The genes are
concerned with providing the body with instructions on how to react to variations in the

Childhood and Adulthood Obesity 3
environment. From studies of differences and similarities between family members presents
indirect research evidence that a substantial part in changes in weight in adults is as a result of
genetic factors. Consequently, some studies have compared non-obese people with the obese one
in an attempt to understand variations in genes which can induce behaviors such as overeating or
metabolism like reduced ability to utilize dietary fats as fuel or increased capacity in the storage
of fats in the body. Other studies revealed that changes in some genes may lead to obesity
through increased hunger and which leads to increased food intake. Therefore, we disagree that
managing childhood obesity can reduce obesity in adulthood. This is because inherited obesity in
a family is rare and is contributed by certain change of a single gene. Most obesity caused by
genetic factors is as a result of complex interactions between environmental factors and multiple
genes.
The other point is behavioral factors can lead to adulthood obesity. One of the behavioral
factors is sedentary lifestyles because most working adults sit the whole day and are not active or
do not have time to go to the gym. Also, overeating is another factor that causes of obesity in
adulthood. This is because adults have the capacity to access fast food thereby consuming
unhealthy food and drinks. According to Waden & Bray, (2018) alcoholism and smoking are
also behavioral factors that contribute to adulthood obesity. This is because the intake of alcohol
and smoking stimulate hunger leading to overeating. Alcohol also leads to overweight and
obesity as it contains a significant amount of carbohydrates and calories. Therefore, we disagree
that adulthood obesity does not result from childhood as there are various factors which
contribute to the increased incidences of obesity and overweight among adults.

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References
Aznar, L. M., Pigeot, I., & Ahrens, W. (2011). Epidemiology of obesity in children and adolescents:
prevalence and etiology. New York: Springer.
Bouchard, C. (2010). Genes and obesity. Amsterdam; Boston: Academic Press/Elsevier.
Healey, J. (2015). Obesity and overweight. Thirroul, N.S.W. : Spinney Press.
Lenzi, A., Migliaccio, S., & Donini, L. M. (2015). Multidisciplinary approach to obesity: from assessment to
treatment. Cham [Switzerland]: Springer.
Waden, T. A., & Bray, G. A. (2018). Handbook of obesity treatment, second edition. GUILFORD.