America; also referred to as the largest country in the Western world, appears to have fallen behind in terms of overall obesity rates, dubbing itself "the most obese country in the world." With obesity being the leading cause of diseases such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease, and having a significant impact on the risk of heart attacks and strokes, it would be reasonable to assume that obesity rates decrease over time. . However, quite the opposite is true. Before people can take the initiative to solve this growing health problem, they must first understand the causes of obesity. Such a diverse problem within American society can be due to the individual's genetics, socioeconomic status, and general misinformation present throughout society. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”? Get an original essay According to the Obesity Medicine Association, more than 50 genes linked to obesity have been discovered, accounting for between 40 and 70 percent. of obesity. case in America. These genes contribute to obesity at the molecular level by promoting food intake, producing fat cells, stimulating appetite and promoting energy expenditure. One of the most commonly found genes is known as MC4R, and when linked to an alpha-melanocytic hormone, it increases a person's appetite. There are various other genes involved in obesity, such as PPARG, which increases the development of adipose tissue, and FTO, which promotes food intake. When people have one or more of these genes in their DNA, they are more likely to have increased hunger. In turn, this reduces a person's ability to control themselves when eating, leading to increased calorie intake. Certain genes, such as PPARG, also give a person an increased tendency to be sedentary and store excess body fat. There is no doubt that genetics make a person more vulnerable to obesity and that socioeconomic status appears to facilitate gene expression. When others think of socioeconomics and obesity, they might think of the greater availability of food among the upper class, thereby increasing caloric intake. upper-class citizens and increasing obesity. However, despite what common sense says, scientific research seems to differ. In fact, people with lower socioeconomic status have a larger population of obese citizens, while people with higher socioeconomic status have lower obesity rates. The scientists who conducted the study hypothesized that a person's social status was a key factor in their lifestyle. For example, a low-income family may watch a lot of television, attend sporting events, and go shopping quite often. “Jobs require less physical activity, and for many, free time is often spent in front of a television or computer screen.” According to the Journal of Obesity and Weight Loss Therapy, "lower SES was [also] associated with higher density of rapid physical activity." food restaurants and convenience stores, an unfavorable retail environment, poorer food environments, higher junk food consumption, and higher obesity rates” (A, Gangami). Additionally, a high SES person may spend their free time reading, attending cultural events, and going to the movies. In fact, these actions “were associated just as much as exercise with a lower BMI” (Houle). Using these.