Some people believe, if you have fat parents, then you will become fat as well. Others believe that there is an obesity gene. They believe a hereditary illness obesity can be passed down to children if it exists among immediate relatives and parents in specific. However, there are cases whereby children or siblings may be completely opposite. A child is born with tendencies to have a chubbier or fuller shape, while the mother or parents remain with a lean shape. The same can be said for siblings. One can be heavier in shape, while the other one slim.

It may also be important to note, that differences in height and physical features such as hair color and eyes may exist even in fraternal twins. This shows they could even be born together, and look different. This the bares the question, is there really an obesity gene, or is it speculation?

According to Wikipedia, Obesity is a medical condition and it comes into play as a result of the environment and some genetic factors. Therefore, it is safe to conclude that genetics do play a role in obesity. There are various genes that control appetite and metabolism and are predisposed to lead to obesity under certain conditions. Now depending on the population examined, the influence of genetics can vary widely. It can range from 6pc to 85pc.

As recently as 2006, conclusive evidence was found to link 41 different sites on the human genome that have been linked to the development of obesity when a favorable environment is present. It is also fair to note that the involvement of genetics in obesity can be attributed to between 40-70pc. Being a very high percentage, it would not be wrong to say that there is an obesity gene. Some of these genes may also influence the obese individuals to weight loss and weight management. The genes that influence obesity in an individual are called obesogenic or leptogenic genes.

For a long time, obesity has been attributed to eating too much and not observing exercise, or a proper diet at all. However, now obesity can be rightfully linked to the evidence of genes causing this condition. The gene ankyrin-B could be causing millions of people globally to add weight unknowingly. Through the gene that causes fat cells to suck up the glucose faster than normal which results in individuals gaining weight to become double their size.

After research was conducted in mice to confirm this, when a metabolism is aging, or one is consuming a high-fat diet then obesity becomes inevitable. This is because ageing metabolism is often slower. Meaning food and sugar takes longer to be processed, hence the additional pounds. If the individual does not mindfully consume, then adding weight just becomes a natural case of cause and effect.

Fault-free obesity is the term being used by researchers while addressing the weight gain people experience from the obesity gene. The gene is believed to have assisted our ancestors during times of famine to store fats and prevent starvation. However, today with numerous fast food, and plenty of food found in the grocery store without much ado to actually do the sourcing, the ankyrin-B variants are now fueling the obesity epidemic. While we do have this fat storing gene, today it is not contributing to our survival. On the contrary, it is contributing to the risk of heart attack and heart disease among other illnesses. A paradox on its own.

This gene is present in every bodily gene and acts as a tether for important proteins to remain inside the cell’s membrane. However, beneficial as it was years ago. It has also been linked to a number of diseases including autism, diabetes, premature aging, an irregular heartbeat and muscular dystrophy (a condition where a body organ wastes away). This clearly presents the case that, human being indeed do carry an obesity gene.

The key to having a healthy life is having a balanced life. This includes balancing both work and life. Life refers to family relationships, your social life and time off from work. All work and no play make Jack a dull boy. Well, the truth is Jill likes to work hard and have fun too. Whether it is a competitive sport or a night out the town, the importance is to have a balance. Everything should be done in moderation.

Competitive sports are encouraged for both young boys and girls during their school going years. This is where the training starts. Beginning with inter-school competitions, to local community competitions, inter-state and national being the major leagues. Sports and talents are nurtured from a young age, especially for sports that need a special technique like gymnastics and competitive ballet. For such sports, starting young is crucial because by the time professionals reach the age of thirty, many of them are making a career change or retiring from the sport.

Women participate in a variety of sports that ranges from swimming to javelin. Fencing and professional basketball. There are some sports where women have done exceptionally well like tennis where Serena Williams has remained an icon and inspiration for many young women. More so, she has maintained her physical fitness and professionalism in the sport, while starting a family as well. While she has been forthcoming of the difficulties she has faced choosing to train rather than breastfeed, it is a realistic picture that she has painted. Women often have to make the sacrifices to prioritize career sometimes for a time to make the most of their peak season.

She remains a dedicated mother and tennis veteran who also encourages other women to play the sport while voicing unfair treatment for women in the sport. Like in any other competitive sport at the world stage, athletes have at a time or other abused drugs. This has affected their sports professional, with their medals being stripped away after being worn while using enhancement drugs. Excessive use of certain steroids can cause stroke and heart attack. Using steroids, like any substance drug opens up the risk for substance abuse including hard drugs.

Injuries in sports happen often, and sometimes determined athletes do not want to stop training. Instead, they opt for muscle relaxers and pain medication to deal with subsequent pain. This again leads to the possibility of abusing drugs by becoming addicted to pain medication. Unfortunately, this happens often. Both with athletes who have suffered injuries and patients suffering from chronic illnesses. Additionally, a career-threatening injury may lead athletes to become depressed.

The news of an injury that will limit their sports careers may lead athletes both male and female to seek solace from their problems in the wrong place. Some turn to the bottle and become alcoholics. The pain from an injury comes suddenly or gradually, and over time one needs a way to deal with the pain. While some may start physical therapy and tone down the training intensity, others opt for more unconventional ways of dealing with the problem.

Some sports like gymnastics put pressure on females to watch their weight and train to a severe extent. Some athletes are badly affected and take it too far. They either become bulimic or develop a different eating disorder. It also affects their mental health. Bulimia occurs as a result of poor self-esteem and feelings of inadequacy. Athletes and young girls alike resort to forcing themselves to vomit the food they have eaten for fear of gaining weight. Some become depressed from the constant stress and pressure associated with long hours of training.

Being an athlete needs a great amount of discipline to manage the stress of training and take it positively. With a goal in mind, and remaining focused and staying clean and honest in the competition despite the challenges.

In line with the recent health and fitness trends, a health and fitness enthusiast would expect restaurants or rather the hospitality industry to pick up the pace and include ingredients on their menus and for the more nitpicky customers, a calorie count.

Now while this may appeal to those who are watching their weight either through diet or exercise, it may not be beneficial for everyone. There are some people who get so caught up in weight watching that they tend to deny themselves the nourishment their bodies need. They also become obsessed with calorie counting to a degree that has a negative effect on their bodies and their mental health.

Providing the calories to meals also has a good side. It will help diners avoid obesity by eating a balanced diet among other eating disorders. Being mindful of the food we consume is always a good idea when it comes to maintaining a balanced diet and healthy weight. It is not really about who is fat or thin. It is more important to focus on a healthy blood sugar levels and consuming good fats and cholesterol as opposed to trans fats and overloading on carbohydrates.

It should not be a requirement for all restaurants to have calories on their menus. For some diners, this puts them off and they would rather go and eat at a place that does more to focus on delicious food and a pleasant customer service than diet. There are some people customers, who are more invested in maintaining food diaries and counting their calories in a bid to maintain them maintain their optimum health. The key lies in knowing your customers and understanding what they value.

If your clientele prefers to be informed about their menu in detail, then it is something to consider. For them, it adds value by making the service for convenient and accessible. This is through the detail on your menus instead of googling how many calories each item on the plate amounts to. It is easier just to read the menu and get all the information you want.

Under the law, restaurants should be required to make their ingredients clear, so as not to mislead their customers, who may either be allergic or restricted by their religion. In the event where information is purposefully hidden, then a customer can even sue for the damage caused. Be it emotionally, mentally or physically. For those who are allergic to certain substances, it is important to make the ingredients known, or avoid any distress for the customer if it is possible. This includes having a good ambiance and adhering to the required standards of hygiene for the food preparation and facility it is being prepared in.

Additionally, menus should constantly update their menus to reflect the changes in their servings. This will avoid displeasure with the customers when they make an order for a dish that is no longer being served. More so, a menu usually has four categories. This immediately lets the customer know what they are serving. A typical American menu has the appetizers section, coupled with side orders and then the entrees, desserts, and beverages. The side menu includes the extra servings, and special offers they have for the customers to choose from.

A menu that includes the a la carte option refers to items such as soups, salads, and dips. Whenever a restaurant that does not make their dishes clear is one that is underperforming. To be among the best top-rated restaurants, it is not just important to stay up to date on marketing trends but to be in touch with their clientele. This will establish customer loyalty through satisfaction.

In conclusion, the requirements of the menus at a restaurant should not have to include calories, unless their customers prefer this or it is done at request.

Fish oil is the fat or oil that is extracted from the tissue of a fish, and it usually comes from oily fish, other than the commonly known salmon there is also the mackerel, tuna, and herring. For the popular cod livers oil, it actually comes from the livers of other fish as advertised. Parents are keen to give their children this supplement for improved immunity as it protects one from acquiring a number of diseases.

Today, there’s an obsession with health and general wellbeing that has crept up on the modern society today. It does not matter your location. People are much more conscious about what they eat and how they treat their bodies. They are also very sensitive to weight, and overall health and their appearance. In a larger part, I believe we owe social media as one of the biggest influences to these changes. The picture-perfect Instagram bodies and success stories on Facebook about new ‘blessings’ have put people in motion as they try and achieve perfection.

Unhealthy as it is to compare yourselves to others, some people have taken on the comparisons in a positive way. Instead of wanting to be like others and creating unrealistic expectations for themselves, they have used friends, influencers and celebrities as their motivators to finally achieving lifelong dreams. Some have made subtle changes while others have been big to look and feel better. Apart from exercise, clean eating is part of the health overhaul.

This includes maintaining a diet that works for your individual lifestyle and getting more vitamins and supplements to strengthen your immunity as well. Supplements act as an additional option to gain the vitamins and minerals that are deficient in your body. Sometimes, they are taken to enhance the body through the benefits they provide. For example, clearer skin, stronger bones, fuller hair, and the likes. Fish oil is a favorite supplement because of its numerous benefits.

The benefit of the omega 3 fatty acids is found in fish oil. This is why people love to take the fish supplements. The oils are found in oily fish like salmon, halibut, sardines, and anchovies. However, the main omega 3 fatty acids to focus on are the EPA and DHA. The two play a positive role in your overall health. When they are made available, they embed themselves into the cell membranes such as the heart cells and help by supporting the cell membranes to stay flexible.

As more scientific research continues on these omega fatty acids, their popularity continues to rise. The proposed intake for oily fish is restricted to twice per week for a healthy adult. This comes down to 500 milligrams of EPA and DHA. Most people consume the fish supplements daily citing that it will increase their brain function and add on even more nutritional value.

For adults who have cardiovascular problems or who are at risk of cardiovascular issues, they are advised to talk to their doctors before increasing the EPA and DHA does above 500mg. However, it is important to note that there is research that supports the consumption of EPA and DHA may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. Having fish for dinner is one way of getting the recommended 500mg but if you do not have it on your menu every week, supplements come in handy.

When purchasing a bottle of supplements, make sure to check the supplement facts on the bottle. Doctors recommend 1000-1200mg of omega 3 fatty acids. However, keep in mind that the EPA and DHA are the most important, and it is better to know how much of their contents are available. Approximately 30pc of the fish oil is made up of omega 3 fatty acids, and the remaining 70pc contains other fats and some unprocessed fish oil, which also contains some vitamin A and D for the users' benefit.