Based on your readings about heredity and the environment gi

Based on your readings about heredity and the environment, give two examples about how a two examples of how a child\'s genetics can influence their parents and they type of environment

Solution

As the genes are inherited from the parents, their characteristics are also inherited through the genes. For example, the inheritance of haemophilia gene by the male child from the mother causes haemophilia. Also, the epigenetic changes that occur prior to the reproductive age are also inherited by the offspring. For example, the children of those who survived under drought condition before reproductive age can better tolerate drought if they experience drought during their life time.

Obesity is an example of trait that is influenced by both the genetic and environmental factors. Obesity results in the accumulation of excess fat throughout the body. The common causes of obesity include the sedentary life style, eating fatty foods and junk foods, consuming excessive alcohol, hereditary factors, etc.

The rate of metabolism, energy expenditure, differences in brain chemistry is determined by the genes. In a research experiment, identical twins grown in two different regions showed similar patterns of weight gain irrespective of differences in their food intake. This explains that the food habits are dominated by the nature in determining the fat distribution.

Our body type is also determined by the gene type, that’s why some people are thin; some are tall, others look obese etc. If the gene pool has not been changed from a long period, we can observe a similar pattern of influence of environmental factors such as different food habits on body shape. The food habits such as fatty diet play a major role in shaping our body. People who are not genetically linked may show same pattern of body shape if their food habits are similar.

Though childhood obesity is mostly due to genetic factors and hormonal disturbances, obesity in the middle age mainly occurs due to eating fatty foods, junk foods, consuming more alcoholic beverages and lack of physical activity.

Obesity due to genetic abnormalities do occur in some children. As overweight causes many physiological and social problems, there is a need to control their weight. The following are the different approaches to control the weight of obese children.

1). Changing the life style and counselling.

2). Taking more nutritious food with the possible low calories.

3). Regular physical exercise.

4). It would be better if the whole family adopts these habits, so that the children do not feel it as a treatment, but as a regular life style.