Question

This weeks readings focus on lifestyle choices (behaviours) and the resulting risk factors (e.g. unhealthy diets, physical inactivity), as well as the genetic predisposition to some diseases. Based on the readings for this week, describe the relationship between behavior (lifestyle choices) and biology (genetics).

References

1. Ezzati, M., & Riboli, E. (2013). Behavioral and dietary risk factors for noncommunicable diseases. New England Journal of Medicine, 369(10), 954-964 http://www3.med.unipmn.it/intranet/papers/2013/NEJM/2013-09-04_nejm/nejmra1203528.pdf

2. Mozaffarian, D., Hao, T., Rimm, E. B., Willett, W. C., & Hu, F. B. (2011). Changes in diet and lifestyle and long-term weight gain in women and men.New England Journal of Medicine, 364(25), 2392-2404http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1014296#t=article

3. Stewart, A. & Brice, P. Inherited causes of disease in populations. Genetics: Inherited causes of disease in populations. Genes and Disease in Populations. http://www.healthknowledge.org.uk/public-health-textbook/disease-causation-diagnostic/2d-genetics/inherited-causes-diseases

4. Volpp, K. G., Asch, D. A., Galvin, R., & Loewenstein, G. (2011). Redesigning employee health incentives—lessons from behavioral economics. New England Journal of Medicine, 365(5), 388-390. http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp1105966

Answer 1

There is positive relationship between healthy eating habits and genetic make up.

Researches have shown that people indulging in smoking habit carries higher risk of lung cancer.

Carcinogens present in cigerette affects molecular biology.

YOU AND YOUR BEHAVIOR ARE WHAT YOU EAT

Studies have shown that peple who eats raw fruits and vegetables have reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases if they carried copies of genes carried more rirk of cardio vascular diseases.

EXERCISE CAN SWAY THE FAT (E) OF CELLS

Exercise and environmental factors can actually determine the direction that cells take early in their development.

Methylation is one example of molecular changes that may occur in repsonse to enviromental factors