At-home genetic testing
Q: I’m thinking about using one of those mail-in genetics tests. Are they reliable? — Gini W., Brooklyn, New York
A: For ancestry: Variations in your DNA can reveal where your ancestors might have come from and with whom they might have commingled. The most inclusive test (works on men and women) is single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) testing: A large number of your SNPs (pronounced snips) are identified and compared with the SNPs of lots of other folks to determine your racial and/or ethnic background.
For paternity: These saliva or cheek swabs use around 15 markers to compare a child and a man’s DNA, so that’s pretty good. But it takes Mom, Dad and the child to raise the test’s reliability to 99.9 percent.
To assess disease risk: Mailorder DNA tests evaluate your potential risk for genetically transmitted diseases, such as some forms of breast cancer or sickle-cell anemia.
The test cannot say for certain that you or your offspring will develop a disease, how severe symptoms will be or if the disorder will progress over time.
Q: I was at the mall when the kids had a day off from school, and it seemed like there were an enormous number of overweight children. Why is this happening to kids? — Audrey S., Lexington, Kentucky
A: There are several scientific explanations for the current epidemic of childhood obesity. Kids don’t get outside as much these days, are glued to screens and don’t have much free time to just play.
The Five Food Felons contribute to obesity by altering metabolic functions, plus dishing up extra empty calories.
Then there are endocrine disruptors, such as phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA), found in everything from home cleaning products to pesticides, plastics and printed heattransfer receipts.
BPA (and its cousin BPS) does its dirty work by imitating estrogen. Lab studies have recently found that it KOs the balance of bodily hormones responsible for hunger and satiety, ghrelin and leptin. A child may end up unable to regulate his or her appetite.
Limit screen time; get kids moving at least 90 minutes a day. Upgrade your family’s nutrition (say no to the Food Felons). Limit exposure to BPA and BPS: Always wash hands after handling thermal paper receipts; never microwave plastics; store food in glass containers. And if using plastic containers, avoid those with recycle codes 3, 6 and 7. Email questions for Mehmet Oz and Mike Roizen to youdocsdaily@sharecare.com.