A Study to Thwart “Obesity Gene” with Exercise

A Study to Thwart “Obesity Gene” with Exercise

From HealthDay, originally published Nov. 1, 2011 in PLoS Medicine Journal

http://news.yahoo.com/exercise-might-help-thwart-obesity-gene-220407407.html

A new study suggests that people predisposed to be obese can reduce their odds of weight

gain by remaining active. The FTO gene or “fat mass and obesity associated” gene has a 27%

weaker effect on physically active adults. Researchers examined the data of 45 previous studies

with more than 218,000 participants.

The main point is that the genetically susceptible can still prevent weight gain with a healthy

lifestyle. Regular activity like walking the dog, taking the stairs, and doing chores still count.

People don’t have to do rigorous exercise for it to help. One hour of activity five times a week

is beneficial.

Some people that are predisposed to being overweight may feel they are hopeless to fight

obesity. A recent study on the effects of genetic testing showed those people increased their

dietary intake over the next three months, suggesting they felt there was no control. However,

researchers feel this sense of fatalism is misplaced.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2/3 of American adults are either overweight or obese and nearly 1/5 of children up to age 19. Obesity increases the risk of diabetes,

heart disease, stroke and certain forms of cancer.

Decreasing obesity even when predisposed by the FTO gene would not only be beneficial for

individual health but also for the health care system. Diseases like diabetes and heart disease

cost the health care system millions of dollars each year.