BS: Now we know why we are fat

Subject: BS: Now we know why we are fat
From: GUEST,lsd
Date: 13 Apr 07 - 05:11 AM

Researchers have produced the first clear evidence for a gene common in the population that dictates why some people gain weight while others do not.

They found the gene, called FTO, by studying nearly 39,000 white Europeans in a finding they hope can lead to new ways to fight this growing global health problem.

British researchers, writing in the journal Science on Thursday, said the presence of a version of FTO increased a person's risk for obesity, and it was very common in the people studied -- 63 percent had one or two copies of it.

People with two copies had about a 70 percent higher risk of being obese than people with none and were an average of nearly 7 pounds (3 kg) heavier than a similar person with no copies. Those with one copy had a lesser but still elevated risk.

Genetics has long been assumed to play a role in making some people fatter than others, and previous research had tentatively implicated specific genes.

How do you make fat look attractive ? put a nipple on it.

However, the researchers emphasized, genetics alone cannot fully account for a worldwide surge in obesity in recent decades that experts attribute to multitudes of people eating too much of the wrong foods and getting too little exercise.

Obesity is recognized as a growing public health problem worldwide. Obese people are at greater risk for diabetes, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure and some cancers.

The researchers said that while improving one's lifestyle is still the key to reducing the obesity epidemic, their findings explain why some people will find it harder to change their weight than others because of their genes.

Researchers led by Andrew Hattersley of the Peninsula Medical School in Exeter and Plymouth and Mark McCarthy of the University of Oxford examined the genetics of nearly 39,000 children and adults from Britain, Finland and Italy.

They found 47 percent had one copy of the variant of the FTO gene and 16 percent had two copies.

The gene's effect was seen by the age of 7, they said.

'REGULATION OF WEIGHT'

"What this study has identified is a genetic variant which is involved in the regulation of weight," Hattersley said in a conference call with reporters. "And the critical role that it plays is in predisposing how much fat people have."

"Although this is the first gene that's been found that plays this kind of role," McCarthy said, "this isn't the whole story."

McCarthy said while extra body fat can be attributed to the presence the gene variant, this gene alone will not explain why some people are, for example, 110 pounds (50 kg) heavier than other people living in similar conditions in the same place.

The researchers said they do not know what the gene actually does to predispose people to obesity.

The researchers said they hope knowledge of the gene's role can lead to new ways of treating and preventing obesity. They said they hope to look at FTO in a more diverse population, including, for example, people from South Asia and U.S. blacks.

The World Health Organization estimated that 1.6 billion adults worldwide are overweight and at least 400 million adults are obese, according to the U.N. agency's definitions. It projected that by 2015, there will be about 2.3 billion overweight adults and more than 700 million obese adults.

Once seen as a problem exclusive to high-income countries, obesity is now on the rise in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in urban areas.

My diet ends today !

Subject: RE: BS: Now we know why we are fat
From: Paco Rabanne
Date: 13 Apr 07 - 05:52 AM

See the "pork pie at sessions" thread for the real answer.

Subject: RE: BS: Now we know why we are fat
From: Stu
Date: 13 Apr 07 - 07:34 AM

Amen.

It's all to do with how much food you shove down into your Buccal Cavity.

Subject: RE: BS: Now we know why we are fat
From: leeneia
Date: 13 Apr 07 - 08:51 AM

Sorry, that' not true. My father loved rich food, ate whatever he wanted, had a bowl of ice cream just before bed most nights. Never gained an ounce.

My mother ate much less and was chubby most of her life.

Subject: RE: BS: Now we know why we are fat
From: Rapparee
Date: 13 Apr 07 - 09:02 AM

The FTO gene, by itself, adds only about 7 pounds of body weight according to the same researchers.

Can't blame you your ancestors for this one!

Subject: RE: BS: Now we know why we are fat
From: Mr Red
Date: 13 Apr 07 - 09:02 AM

Wrong - now you know why you eat more food and conserve it as fat more eficiently.

If you starve you go thin. It is still a life choice, just a little harder to choose differently.

Now why don't we discuss the virus that can show the same effect. Highly contentious but there are researchers out there looking at it.

And have you noticed that children born of fatter parents are more likely to be fat, even though the offspring born when the parents were svelt are more likely to be svelt. A statistical observation not a guarranteed result. The explanation is reckoned to be part nurture and partly a contentious theory about junk DNA.

But like all these things, far too many people latch on to the theory that allows them to feel comfortable about themselves, to the detriment of their health/wealth/friend/etc. I happen feel good in Red - but others have different theories. I - of course - hold to the correct one.

Subject: RE: BS: Now we know why we are fat
From: Stu
Date: 13 Apr 07 - 10:16 AM

"And have you noticed that children born of fatter parents are more likely to be fat, even though the offspring born when the parents were svelt are more likely to be svelt. A statistical observation not a guarranteed result."

This sounds like hearsay - point me to a ref that gives any evidence to back this observation up. The kids are fat becuase their parents eat more, of the wrong foods and exercise less. Having this gene means you're a bit more likely to be fat if you eat the wrong stuff - this gene does not make you fat. Has this gene suddenly appeared? Does it exist in the same percentage of the population of India or Bangladesh or Kenya?

Some people certainly do have medical reasons for being fat, whether they are physical or psychological but this doesn't explain why the US and UK is filling up with wobblebottoms, all looking for excuses to keep eating, hence the large number of people who are rejoicing their weight is not their fault.

As a bit of a lardy myself, I know when I diet and do exercise I loose weight. It gets more difficult to shift as I get older but I recognise that basically if I eat lots of the wrong stuff and stay sat on my arse I get fatter, full stop.

Subject: RE: BS: Now we know why we are fat
From: Scoville
Date: 13 Apr 07 - 10:44 AM

"And have you noticed that children born of fatter parents are more likely to be fat, even though the offspring born when the parents were svelt are more likely to be svelt. A statistical observation not a guarranteed result."

Actually, while that doesn't surprise me, that alone is still not evidence in favor of genetics since you also tend to learn your eating and exercise habits from you parents, too.

It's ridiculous to blame it all on any one factor, anyway. Some people are going to be genetically thinner than others, some people better their odds with good eating and exercise habits, whatever. I'm about average weight. I will never be a fashion model; I could starve myself to death and would still be pear-shaped (skinny upper body, butt and thighs like a bulldog Quarter Horse). I don't have a high metabolism; if I ate a lot of heavy food, I'd definitely be fat. So, I don't eat a lot of fried food, try to eat a lot of vegetables, and get some exercise. However, somebody else with different genetics might be rail-thin with the same habits. Another person might be 250 pounds. We're not all going to be the same, but most of us--barring serious health problems--can at least make the best of whatever genetics we have. Very, very, few people are going to hit 300 lbs on genetics alone; eating and lack of exercise are almost always contributors.

My mother is fat. Her family is more prone to weight gain than most, she tends to eat a lot of heavy food, doesn't exercise, and is on medications that put on pounds. She will always be somewhat fat because she has to be on steroids but she would be less fat if she ate better and moved more.

Subject: RE: BS: Now we know why we are fat
From: GUEST,Ding dong
Date: 13 Apr 07 - 10:52 AM

People are fat due to one or more circumstances combined. They include genetic predisposition, over-eating combined with under-exercising, and some medications that cause the body to store fat.

Subject: RE: BS: Now we know why we are fat
From: Little Hawk
Date: 13 Apr 07 - 11:12 AM

Correct. There are numerous reasons for gaining weight.

Subject: RE: BS: Now we know why we are fat
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 13 Apr 07 - 03:51 PM

I've got photographs of 4 and 5 generations of my family on my mother's side, both maternal and paternal. I'm the thinnest one for 5 generations (about 80-100yrs) - and that includes the War years!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Now we know why we are fat
From: bubblyrat
Date: 13 Apr 07 - 07:25 PM

I grew up in the late forties and early fifties, and I have no memories of there being ANY fat people,although there was one boy who was bigger ( and taller ) than the rest of us , and we all called him "Tubby" ----No, we weren"t arrested, and he didn"t cry, or need counselling !! (Those were the days !!) We ate a lot less than people do today, partly because many foods in Britain were still being rationed up to 1954 !! We got FAR more exercise than any child does today----we children everywhere , walked to school, some 2 miles or more, and then did 20 minutes PT, running, skipping,etc. At the end of the school day, we would walk home, have our supper, then go out to play, winter or summer !!It was paradise---no TV-No "playstations"--no computer games-- And we were so happy, and lively, and FIT without them. Plus, the food that we did eat was not riddled and poisoned with additives, pesticides,hormones,preservatives, and other junk like MSG.When I look at the bloated, lazy,unfit,over-indulged lard-arsed slobs ,male and female, that pass for the youth of the nation today, I don"t know whether to laugh or cry ! What a state to get in !!   Ok , so I am an Old Fogey , I admit it. But at least I"m OLD --a lot of today"s teenagers will never be that, that"s for sure.
OK, so a small number of people are affected by a " Fat Gene"--How very convenient for them !! ----No need to diet, then ?? Sorry, don"t believe it !! Just eat wisely, healthily,less often, and get more exercise. Unless you"re descended from the King of Tonga, of course, in which case I apologise !!

Subject: RE: BS: Now we know why we are fat
From: Alice
Date: 13 Apr 07 - 10:12 PM

PBS did a great documentary on FAT, Wednesday this week.
The current research shows that it is NOT as simple as calories in and calories out.
The program is called FAT: What No One Is Telling You.
Click here

Subject: RE: BS: Now we know why we are fat
From: Alice
Date: 13 Apr 07 - 10:57 PM

All you have to do is live on a ranch and know that some breeds gain weight faster and some milk has more butter fat... we are not all made the same.

Subject: RE: BS: Now we know why we are fat
From: GUEST,Member
Date: 14 Apr 07 - 12:22 AM

I'm 5'9" and when I trained six days a week, had an eight-pack and fought regularly, my optimum weight was 172. I could run five miles, no problem, and do 100 pushups, no sweat. When I quit the training, etc, my weight went to over 190, and I felt sluggish, overweight and just felt bad. It took me two years to get back to 175 where I stayed for about ten years. Due to some things in my life my weight dropped to 160. Much too low for me. I have finally reached 170 again and stayed there for over two years. I was born in the late 1940s. I have never thought of people with weight problems as slobs, and I never will. The agonies I had over a measly 20 pounds above best weight for me taught me something of the agonies other people go through when their weight has got out of control for one reason or other. So, bubblyrat, I take issue with you. Not everyone has control over it. And I suppose a few people thought that of me, too.

Some people I do volunteer work with have a few extra pounds. Three or four times a year, year after year, they put their lives on the line for folks they don't know. They would do that for me, too, and me for them. So I'm afraid I cannot agree with you. Sorry, but I can't think of people in those terms. I hope I never do. Best regards to you.

Subject: RE: BS: Now we know why we are fat
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 14 Apr 07 - 01:55 AM

I was recently given medication that prevents ingested fat from being absorbed into the body. It's not working very well, because I do not ingest a great deal of fat. I excercise and walk, I snack on health foods most of the time and I don't drink very often... still I have problems reaching a weight that my doctor and society says I should be.

However... maintaining the weight and body shape that nature intended me to be is really easy!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Now we know why we are fat
From: Metchosin
Date: 14 Apr 07 - 02:08 AM

No we don't. While one gene has been isolated and studied, according to the programme to which Alice linked, there are over 400 genes directly related to body weight of which we know relatively little and we also don't know much about the function of the "brain" in our gut. BTW, thanks for the link to the video Alice.

I have two adult daughters very close in age. One is very svelt and slender and the other isn't and they have been that way since early elementary school.

One weighed 8lbs 6 oz at birth and looked like the Michelan tire man, until she was about two or three. The other weighed 7lbs. 4oz. and maintained a more normal body weight prior to school. One was a closet, junk food junkie, although they both were fed the same healthful diet at home and they were both physically active children. However, the outcome was decidedly different for each.

The child junk food junkie, Michelan tire baby, to this day remains slim, while her sister is not and hasn't been, since about the age of seven. Go figure.

Subject: RE: BS: Now we know why we are fat
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 14 Apr 07 - 02:14 AM

My sister used to laugh at me, the chubby one, as she was built like the proverbial stick.

She's now 3 stones heavier than me and looks not unlike the original Michelin man (he's been slimmed down, have you noticed?)... I love Karma!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Now we know why we are fat
From: Peace
Date: 14 Apr 07 - 02:16 AM

LOL.

Subject: RE: BS: Now we know why we are fat
From: Metchosin
Date: 14 Apr 07 - 02:30 AM

Fortunately Liz, my daughters weren't particularly malicious to each other when they were small and still are the best of friends. Although they did occasionally tattle on each other. How else would have have discovered that the youngest spent her allowance on chips, chocolate bars and Jolt Cola. LOL

Subject: RE: BS: Now we know why we are fat
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 14 Apr 07 - 09:13 AM

Karma began when we went out to celebrate her 18th birthday. The bar staff refused to serve her, not believing she was 18, but served me, 4 years younger, without a second look... :D

LTS