Wpływ wybranych składników pokarmowych na patogenezę otyłości u dzieci i młodzieży

In pathogenesis of obesity an important role is played by environmental, genetic and socio-cultural factors. In recent years major attention is paid to genetic factors in obesity. Many studies have proven that genetic factors are of poly-gene nature. This means that obesity is a sum of malfunctions of genes which are responsible for fat accumulation and metabolism and thus for maintaining the correct body weight. It is assumed that the structure and expression of genes which generate obesity may be affected by the nutrients supplied in the daily diet and that the gene-nutrient interactions may occur on various levels. Among the nutrients which influence the pathogenesis of obesity there are folic acid, B vitamins, calcium, vitamin D, antioxidant vitamins (vitamin A, E, C) and polyunsaturated fatty acids from the omega 3 group (mainly eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids). It is suggested that shortages of these components may contribute to the excessive accumulation of body fat.