It’s all in the Genes!
Scientists from Exeter and Oxford Universities have discovered a variant of the FTO gene, which may contribute to obesity and other related problems, such as diabetes.
This study was part of the Wellcome Trust who are trying to identify the genetic variations that may predispose people to, or protect them from, major diseases.
The study found that people carrying one copy of the FTO allele have a 30% increased risk of being obese compared to a person with no copies. However, a person carrying two copies of the allele had a 70% increased risk of being obese, being on average 3 kilograms heavier than a similar person with no copies.
The findings suggest that although improving lifestyle is key to reducing obesity, some people may find it more difficult to lose weight because of this gene variation.
Professor Hattersley of the Peninsula Medical School, Exeter, said this may explain why two people appear to eat the similar foods and take similar exercise, yet one struggles to lose weight more than the other.
More research must be carried out in this area. Scientists do not know exactly what the FTO gene does, or how the different variants work to influence body weight.
I personally feel this is an excellent piece of research. I hope it will pave the way for new and novel ways of treating this condition. With the prevalence of obesity increasing year by year, there’s no doubt that we need to do something.
It’s important to remember that following a health lifestyle is a key factor in achieving long-term weight loss. However, by identifying this genetic link, it may be possible to improve our understanding of why some people are more obese than others, despite apparently eating in a similar way.
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