Genes and Habits: How They Affect Obesity in Pakistan

Obesity is a big problem worldwide, caused by a mix of genetics and daily habits like diet, lack of exercise, and sleep problems. This study looked at how certain versions of the Clock gene, which controls our body's internal clock, interact with daily habits to affect obesity in people from Pakistan. Most studies focus on Western countries, but this one wanted to understand South Asians better. They checked 612 people—306 who were overweight or obese, and 306 who were a healthy weight, all matched by age and gender. They measured things like body mass index (BMI), waist size, and body fat, and asked about eating, sleep, work shifts, and physical activity.The results showed that these Clock gene variants team up with unhealthy habits like poor diet, not enough sleep, and low activity levels to increase obesity risk. Even shift work made one gene variant worse, leading to more body fat. This means our genes and daily choices can combine to make us more likely to become obese. Understanding this link can help us make better choices and reduce obesity.