Fig. 1: The jar and shapes can help demonstrate the multifactorial model of inheritance to patients.

Sample statement: Environmental factors (blue triangles) increase over time and can reach a disease threshold (top of jar). Genetic vulnerability (yellow beads), with which we are born, contributes to the jar, but is mostly static. Lifestyle habits such as moderate aerobic exercise may add “protective rims” to make the jar taller, raising the disease threshold.