What Causes Poor Genetics? Uncovering the Truth Behind DNA

What Do People Mean by “Poor Genetics”?

Let’s be real—“poor genetics” is kind of a loaded phrase. People throw it around when talking about body shape, disease risks, even hair loss. But what does it actually mean?

In simple terms, it refers to inherited genetic variations that may lead to undesirable traits or increased susceptibility to health problems. But guess what? Nobody has "perfect" genetics. We all have our own unique mix of strengths and vulnerabilities.

I used to think I had “bad genes” because I gained weight fast. Turns out, it was more about my late-night snacking than my DNA (shocker, right?). But there is a genetic piece to the puzzle. So, let’s break it down.

Genetic Mutations and Inherited Conditions

How DNA changes mess with the system

One major cause of poor genetics? Mutations. These are small (or sometimes not-so-small) changes in your DNA sequence. They can be:

– Spontaneous, like copying errors during cell division
– Inherited, passed down from your parents
– Triggered by environment, like radiation or toxins

Some of these mutations do... well, nothing. Others? They can lead to conditions like:

• Cystic fibrosis

• Sickle cell anemia

• Certain types of cancer

And yeah, that’s not fun. But these mutations aren’t always "bad"—some might even protect against other diseases. Nature's weird like that.

Inheritance patterns matter

Whether you get a condition depends on dominant vs. recessive genes. Like, if both parents carry a recessive gene for a disorder, there's a 25% chance the kid ends up with it.

Kind of like genetic roulette, except the stakes are real.

Lifestyle and Environment: Can They Worsen Your Genetics?

Here’s where it gets a little messy. You can't change your genes, but you can influence how they express.

– Smoking, bad diet, pollution? These can activate certain genes linked to disease.
– On the flip side, exercise and good nutrition might “silence” risky genes.

This is called epigenetics, and it’s wild. Basically, your choices can affect how your DNA works, without changing the actual code. So yeah—just blaming genetics might be skipping half the story.

Evolution and Population History

Not all traits age well

Some traits that were once super useful... not so much now.

– In cold regions, bodies adapted to store fat. In modern life? That gene might make weight gain way easier.
– Same with iron retention—great when food was scarce, but today it could raise heart disease risk.

So “poor genetics” can be a matter of context. What helped your ancestors survive may not be ideal for you sitting at a desk 8 hours a day.

Also, genetic bottlenecks in certain populations (think: small groups isolated for generations) can lead to higher rates of certain conditions due to less diversity in the gene pool. Yikes.

Can You Overcome Poor Genetics?

Yes... and no

You can’t rewrite your DNA (yet—CRISPR, we’re looking at you ), but you can:

• Get early screenings if your family has disease history

• Eat like your health depends on it (because it does)

• Move your body

• Manage stress (seriously, it messes with your genes too)

And honestly? Half the battle is awareness. Just knowing your genetic risk puts you ahead.

I got my DNA tested a few years back and found out I’m at higher risk for type 2 diabetes. I freaked out a bit. But now I eat better, sleep more, and check my blood sugar like clockwork. Doesn’t erase the risk, but it sure helps.

Final Thoughts: "Poor Genetics" Isn’t the End of the Story

It’s easy to blame genes. But in most cases, it’s genes + environment + lifestyle + luck. Your DNA might set the stage, but you control the performance.

So instead of saying “I have bad genetics,” maybe try:
“I have a few challenges... but I’m not letting them run the show.”

Because really, nobody gets a flawless genetic hand. It’s what you do with it that counts.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.