How are childhood trauma and genetics linked to risk of being obese?

New research has found associations between genetics, obesity, and childhood trauma, linking social health determinants, genetics, and disease. The new study focuses on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), which are traumatic and unsafe events that children endure by the age of 18. 

    According to the research findings of the 16,000 participants, those who had experienced one or more types of ACE were more likely to become obese adults. Those who experienced four or more ACEs were more than twice as likely to become severely obese. There was a steady increase in BMI for each ACE a person experienced, which indicates a strong relation between obesity and ACE. 

    Combination of genetics, environmental factors such as poverty and abuse, food insecurity, and poor relationships with parental guardians can increase this risk. Obesity can increase the chance for multiple health problems such as cardiovascular diseases, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes. Losing weight can help to decrease the chances of being affected by these health issues. 

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Elite Athleticism and The deletion of the D allele in Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme(ACE)

        

        There has been research done involving the inheritance of Angiotensin-converting enzyme(ACE). ACE is an enzyme that increases blood pressure and vasoconstriction. In the study shown, they analyze how individuals without the D allele react to physical tasks. Several rats were tested and it showed that exposure to hypoxia increased the expression of ACE, which means that the rat would experience more vasoconstriction, disallowing the oxygen to flow. The study shows that via ACE inhibition, the pulmonary  hypertensive response to hypoxia is reduced, which means that the subject would be able to increase the oxygen in their body. The key to this is the deletion of the D allele. If this condition is in athletes, their body can perform at higher levels when under hypoxia like conditions. When other athletes oxygen levels are low, the athletes without the D allele will have higher levels, and be able to perform better.