Fighting the Fat Gene
Blame your parents for your fat genes if you want, but there’s no need to feel helpless about it. A new study shows that exercise can override ‘fat genes.’
British researchers studied 12 genetic factors known to contribute to the risk of obesity compared to the activity levels of over 20,000 people.
According to their published report in PLoS Medicine, physical activity can reduce genetic tendency toward obesity by 40%.
“Our findings challenge the popular myth that obesity is unavoidable if it runs in the family,” says senior researcher Ruth Loos with Great Britain’s Medical Research Council in Cambridge. “We see this as a hopeful message.”
This study shows that at least when it comes to being over weight, you can conquer your genes. John Jakicic, director of the Physical Activity and Weight Management Research Center at the University of Pittsburgh, agrees.
“Just because someone has the genes does not mean that they will become overweight or obese,” he says. “Lifestyle such as physical activity can modify the effect.”
In: Fitness, Health · Tagged with: Fighting the Fat Gene
