How much control do we have over our body weight? And how much of our weight is controlled by our genes?
- Dave
Genetic research is fascinating and scientists all over the world are making new discoveries regarding our genes and our health. In fact a genetic study, published in Science Daily in December last year, suggested that genes that predispose people to obesity act in the brain and that perhaps some people are hard wired to over eat.
Genes determine how we look, how tall we grow and what colour hair we have. They also determine behaviour traits and risks of disease. Most experts agree that nutrition and lifestyle choices are the main determination of obesity. So although some of us may be hard-wired to over eat or store fat, ultimately our lifestyle determines our weight.
Being born to overweight parents doesn’t mean we are doomed to be over weight, not only do we inherit physical traits we also inherit unhealthy eating habits. That said, losing weight isn’t easy, it’s uncomfortable letting go of a life time of habits but it sure beats giving up and blaming it on our genes.
- Jacquie