Tag: Nature vs nurture

According to the World Health Organization, lifestyle factors account for approximately 60% of an individual's overall health and quality of life. When answering the question, "What are the two factors that determine overall health?", experts typically point to the powerful interaction between our inherent genetic makeup and the lifestyle choices we make every day.

According to research, human development is a continuous and complex interplay between an individual's genetic blueprint and their environment. It is not a simple either/or scenario, but rather a dynamic process influenced by a multitude of intersecting biological, environmental, social, and psychological elements. Understanding what are the factors affecting development provides a comprehensive view of human growth across the lifespan.

Twin studies have shown that genetic factors can influence body mass index (BMI) by a significant margin, but it’s not the whole story. For a comprehensive understanding, one must consider the question, **Does genetics determine body size?** as a complex interplay of inherited traits and external influences.