Causes of Obesity

(Other Than Diet and Exercise)

Shereen Richard
Biology 1315

What Does it Mean to be

Overweight or Obese?
According to the World Health Organization in 2008
1.4 billion adults were overweight
Out of these, 200 million men and 300 million women were obese
10% of our world was obese

Definition of Obesity according to World Health

Organization
Defined as containing an excess amount of weight in fat that may
lead to cause many health problems

Many believe the causes of being overweight or obese are

related only to an unhealthy diet or a lack of exercise, but
there are many underlying causes of obesity.

Causes of Obesity

Polycystic-Ovarian Syndrome
Cushings Syndrome
Hypothyroid
Prader-Willi Syndrome

Polycystic-Ovarian Syndrome

AKA PCOS
80% of women with PCOS are overweight or obese
One of the most prevalent hormonal dsorders in women at reproducing age
Hormone Imbalance in ovaries
Ovaries produce more of the hormone androgen than normal
Androgen is a male hormone that females also produce, but in smaller amounts than
males

Causes bodily dysfunctions (symptoms)

hinders ovulation
excess hair growth
excessive weight gain

Cause of PCOS is unknown

Not genetically inherited
Although cause is unknown, some elements may cause excess androgen
Having too much insulin in body (hormone that helps convert food into energy)
With too much insulin, body begins to resist the insulin
With insulin resistance, body cannot utilize insulin the way it is supposed to causing even more insulin
to be released making an excess load of insulin
Insulin production and androgen production connected and will cause weight gain

http://www.medicinenet.com/polycys
tic_ovary/page2.htm

http://pcos.com/pcosand-weightloss.php#.Uo0aMBY1bFI

Cushings Syndrome
Caused by excess amount of the hormone cortisol
Cortisol keeps bodys blood pressure, insulin levels, and metabolism in check

Production of Cortisol (series of events)

Hypothalamus sends coticotropin-releasing hormone to pituitary gland.
Pituitary gland releases adrenocorticotropin hormone
Activates adrenal glands above kidneys to release cortisol hormone
Process goes wrong, cortisol production increases and Cushings Syndrome occurs.

Cause of Cushings Syndrome

Not a genetic disorder
Many causes, main cause is Pituitary adenomas
70% people who have Cushings have it because of this
Benign, but cause a problem in production of cortisol hormone
Tumors release too much adrenocorticotropin hormone, causes increase in cortisol production

Symptoms
Obesity of the upper body
Skinny arms and legs
Extra fat on face and neck
Weight gain and can lead to obesity

http://endocrine.nid
dk.nih.gov/pubs/cus
hings/images/cushi
ngsFinalmac.jpg

http://img.medscape.com/pi/
emed/ckb/endocrinology/11
6364-138556-117365138806.jpg

Hypothyroid
Thyroid
Gland in the middle of neck
Releases hormones that help manage metabolism, growth and development, and
temperature of the body
Produces three hormones, but only two have a major influence on metabolism
T4 (Thyroxine)
T3 (Triiodothyronine)

When these hormones are made, pituitary gland in brain secretes thyroid releasing
hormone that causes the thyroid gland to release T3 and T4 hormones into body

When not enough thyroid hormone is released, hypothyroidism results

Hypothyroidism Causes
Immune System Deficiency
Removal of thyroid gland due to previous problems

Symptoms
Metabolism is slowed because not enough thyroid hormone to regulate
Slowed metabolism leads to weight gain and an impaired metabolism
If not repaired or tended to can result in overweight or obesity

http://drop.ndtv.com/albums/
HEALTH/hypothyroid/hypothy
roid12.jpg

http://3dhealthcare.or
g/endocrinalhypothyroi
dism_files/hypothyroidi
sm_clip_image001.jpg

Prader-Willi Syndrome
All of the disorders mentioned have been hormonal
Prader-Willi Syndrome based on genetics
Dysfunction with genes in chromosome 15
Normal cells get a copy of Chromosome 15 from each parent
Most cases, section of fathers chromosome 15 is absent in each cell (deletion)
These missing genes are believed to cause the symptoms of Prader-Willi Syndrome

Symptoms of Prader-Willi Syndrome

When a baby is born, has difficulty eating and is extremely weak
As baby grows, will develop an unsatisfied appetite
Without being able to fulfill appetite, extreme overeating occurs
If uncontrolled for very long, will cause obesity

Other Symptoms
Learning disabilities
Behavioral issues
Small hands and feet

1 in 10,000 people have Prader-Willi Syndrome

Although disorder is genetically related, it is not hereditary because the deletion of
the section of chromosome 15 occurs at random
The Kids Who Cant Stop Eating

References
Genetics Home Referene. (2011, October). Prader-Willi Syndrome.
Ghr.nlm.nih.gov. Retrieved October 29, 2013, from http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/prader-willi-syndrome.

Hignett, William MPH & Kyle, Ted RPh, MBA. (n.d.). Polycystic Ovarian
Syndrome (PCOS) and Obesity. Obesityaction.org. Retrieved October 29, 2013, from
http://www.obesityaction.org/educational-resources/resource-articles-2/obesity-related-diseases/polycystic-ovarian-syndrome-pcos-and-obesity .

Jacques, Jacqueline ND. (n.d.). The Role of Your Thyroid in Metabolism and
Weight Control. Obesityinaction.org. Retrieved October 29, 2013, from http
://www.obesityaction.org/educational-resources/resource-articles-2/general-articles.

National Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Information Service (NEMDIS).

(2012, April 6). Cushings Syndrome. Endocrine.niddk.nih.gov. Retrieved October 29, 2013, from
http://www.endocrine.niddk.nih.gov/pubs/cushings/cushings.aspx.

Rgustman. (2011, May 9). 3 Medical Conditions That Can Cause Obesity.
Idealshape.com. Retrieved October 29, 2013 from http://www.idealshape.com/conditions-that-cause-obesity/.

Sam, Susan M.D. (2007, April). Obesity and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.
Ncbl.nlm.nlh.gov. Retrieved October 29, 2013, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2861983/.

Womens Health. (2012, July 16). Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Fact Sheet.
Womenshealth.gov. Retrieved October 29, 2013 from http
://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/polycystic-ovary-syndrome.html.

World Health Organization. (2013, March). Obesity and Overweight. Who.int.

Retrieved October 29, 2013, from http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs311/en/