Lecture 15

Question 1

What were the studies on the role of GM in generation of TMAO from carnitine or choline?

Answer 1

Discovered that the microbiome in collaboration with your organs convert carnitine to TMAO

Question 2

How can we alter/improve the GM?

Answer 2

• Probiotics: foods with microbes, or supplements of microbes for direct introduction of bacteria
• Prebiotics: foods or supplements that support the GROWTH and vitality of the microbiome by providing various fiber sources
• FMT: fecal microbiota transplant; also known as a stool transplant. The process of transferring fecal bacteria and other microbes from one individual to another to alter their microbiome

Question 3

What is the typical range of BMIs?

Answer 3

<18.5: Underweight
18.5-24.9: Normal
25-29.9: Over weight
30-34.9: Obese (Class 1)
35-39.9: Obese (Class 2)
>40: Obese (Class 3)

Question 4

How is BMI measured?

Answer 4

BMI= (Weight in pounds/ (Ht in inches)^2) x 703

Question 5

What is the stateofobesity.org project?

Answer 5

An organization that catalogs that data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) dataset and review and analyze that data

Question 6

What is a drawback of BMI as a medical measure?

Answer 6

Two individuals can have a BMI of 30, however one is a body builder, thus not obese, and the other is obese. Both individuals are the same height and weight

Question 7

What is the range of obesity rates in W. Virginia?

Answer 7

• W.Virginia is #1 in obesity according to stateofobesity.org
• 38.1% of adults have BMI of 30 or above
• High schoolers: 19.5%
• Children 2-4: 16.4%

Question 8

What is the range of obesity rates in CA?

Answer 8

• 25.1% Adults with BMI of 30 or above
• 13.9% High schoolers
• Children 2-4: 16.6%

Question 9

Why does the BRFSS underestimate obesity data compared to NHANES?

Answer 9

Because BRFSS relies on self-reported height and weight. Respondents tend to overestimate their height and underestimate their weight
- BRFSS may underestimate obesity rates by nearly 10%

NHANES calculates its obesity rate based on physical examinations of respondents

Question 10

What has the obesity rate been over time?

Answer 10

Since 1985-2010, obesity rate has been recorded the increase significantly

Question 11

What risks are associated with childhood obesity?

Answer 11

• Obese child has 7.5X risk of becoming an obese adult

- 3/4 obese children-> obese adults

Question 12

What types of syndromes and diseases have risks that increase in obesity?

Answer 12

Understood: insulin resistance, Type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, atherosclerosis, hypertension, and stroke
Poorly understood: cancer, asthma, sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, neurodegeneration, and gall bladder disease

Question 13

What are the features of the epidemiological analysis of cancer risk and obesity?

Answer 13

Men: liver cancer seems to be 4.52 higher risk
Women: Uterus cancer 6.25 higher risk

Question 14

What is the basic idea of the link between obesity and inflammation as a pathological mechanism?

Answer 14

• Inactivity and obesity trigger persistent, low-grade systemic inflammation. Inflammation in certain tissues is linked to the development of many chronic diseases.

Question 15

What are the findings of the Stunkard et al. study on obesity and adoption?

Answer 15

• There was a strong relation between the weight class of the adoptees and the BMI of their biologic parents
• There was no relation between the weight class “ “ of their adoptive parents
• Conclude that genetic influences have an important role in determining human fat mass in adults

Question 16

How do Pima people show the roles of both environmental and genetics in obesity?

Answer 16

Arizona: BMI- 33.4
Diabetes: Men- 54%, Women- 37%

Mexico: BMI- 24.9
Diabetes: Men- 6%, Women- 11%

• When Pima people exposed to a Western diet they are more prone to obesity and diabetes Type 2

Question 17

What is the role of the Pima people in formation of the Thrifty Gene hypothesis?

Answer 17

• Thrifty gene(s) are thought to increase fitness or chances of survival in times of famine. Probably, there is a suite of such genes that affect energy storage, appetite, behavior, energy expenditure, and response to macro and micro nutrient inputs

Question 18

What are the distinctions and features of monogenic and polygenic obesity genetics?

Answer 18

• Monogenic obesity: is inherited in a Mendelian pattern, is typically rare, early-onset and severe and involves either small or large chromosomal deletions or single-gene defects; no environmental influence
• Polygenic obesity: aka common obesity, is the result of hundreds of polymorphisms that each have a small effect; environment is a key determinant

Question 19

What are the main branches of the modern industrialized food supply?

Answer 19

Salt, sugar, and fat (?)

Question 20

What is the sugar consumption as a function of time since 1820?

Answer 20

Since 1820, sugar consumption significantly increased