Causal linkages among genetics, environmental effects, physiology, behavior, and energy balance

The major causal linkages among genetics, environmental effects, physiology, behavior, and energy balance. Multiple causal routes exist by which both environmental and genetic effects may exert their influence. The diagram clarifies that behavior is not an alternative mechanism to genetics, they are different levels of the same phenomenon. Perceptions of energy imbalance feed back into behavior and physiology to influence both intake and expenditure. The nature of these feedback links is disputed, and they are omitted from the above framework.