Final answer:
Physical characteristics, including body weight, are influenced by genes which regulate hormones like ghrelin and leptin that control hunger. Genetic predisposition, coupled with environmental factors, play roles in obesity. Neurotransmitter dysregulation can also affect appetite and contribute to obesity and eating disorders.
Step-by-step explanation:
Most physical characteristics are inherited. Scientists have discovered several genes that contribute to human fatness, particularly genes that regulate the production of specific hormones, such as ghrelin, which stimulates hunger, and leptin, which reduces hunger.
Genetic influences on obesity are significant, as family studies have shown that obesity has a strong hereditary component. When both parents are obese, there is an 80 percent chance that their children will also be obese. In addition to the genetic predisposition, environmental factors, socioeconomic status, and physical activity also play crucial roles in the development of obesity.
Biochemical deregulation, involving neurotransmitters and hormones like serotonin and dopamine in addition to leptin and ghrelin, can also contribute to obesity and eating disorders. These biological factors can influence appetite and eating behavior, leading to imbalances that cause disordered eating and weight gain when the energy from food intake exceeds that of energy expended.