America; also labeled as the largest country in the Western world, it appears to have lagged behind in overall obesity rates, calling itself the “most obese country in the world.” Since obesity is the leading cause of diseases such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease, as well as having a significant impact on a person's chance of having a heart attack and stroke, it would be reasonable to think that obesity rates are decreasing over time. . However, the opposite is true. Before people can take the initiative to solve the growing health problem, they must first understand the causes of obesity. Such a diverse problem within American society may 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 Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay According to the Obesity Medicine Association, over 50 obesity-related genes have been discovered, accounting for between 40 and 70 percent of obesity cases 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-melanocyte 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 while eating, resulting in increased calorie intake. Some genes, such as PPARG, cause a person to have a greater tendency to be sedentary and accumulate excess body fat. There is no doubt that genetics make a person more susceptible to obesity, and socioeconomic status appears to facilitate people's genetic expression. When others think about socioeconomics and obesity, they might think about the increased availability of food within the upper classes, thus increasing calorie intake. of upper class citizens and the increase in obesity. However, despite what common sense may say, scientific research allows us to disagree. Indeed, people with a lower socioeconomic status have shown a larger population of obese citizens while people with a higher socioeconomic status have lower obesity rates. The scientists who conducted the study theorized that a person's social status was a key factor in lifestyle. For example, a low-income family may watch a lot of television, go to sporting events, and shop quite often. "Work requires less physical activity and free time for many is often spent in front of the television or computer screen." According to the Journal of Obesity and Weight Loss Therapy, "lower SES was [also] associated with a higher density of fast restaurants and convenience stores, an unfavorable retail environment, poorer food environments, higher consumption of junk foods, and rates of obesity” (A, Gangami). Furthermore, a person with a high SES may spend their free time reading, attending cultural events, and going to the cinema “exercise at a lower BMI” (Houle). Using this information, scientists concluded that differences in lifestyle shape a person's socioeconomic status and place them at greater or lesser risk of obesity depending on that. state..