I've never thought I was a lot like my mother. We don't have the same features, and our personalities are very different. But as I've gotten older, I see more of her in me. I've noticed (or many times my husband has noticed) me using some of her funny phrases or doing things she would normally do. Although those similarities are more recent, one thing that's always been similar is how we carry weight. Can you look at your mother (or father) and see yourself in 20 or 30 years? New research is analyzing genes and how much they determine your body shape and weight. There are a number of factors that go into determining your size and shape. Up to 80 percent of that is determined by our genes, but a significant portion is also determined by lifestyle choices. According to recent research, some aspects of size and shape are more closely related to genes than others. For example, the ability to build muscle has a lot to do with your genes. Weight training will help you gain strength and create muscle definition. But at a certain point, you can look at your parents to see your capacity to build significant amounts of muscle. Certain body types also have more to do with genetics. The apple shape (vs. pear) is more likely to be inherited. Scientists have identified a new gene that may affect how much you eat. According to the research, "Scientists believe this gene, which is carried by about 20 percent of the human population, may trigger a compulsion to overeat — which could explain why obesity tends to run in families the same way certain body shapes do." So does this mean all of your hard work might be for nothing? Definitely not. Although genes play a big role in body type, lifestyle choices are just as important. The rising rates of obesity in America aren't due to changes in our genes. They are due to changes in our lifestyle- less activity and more food. Although you can't change your shape or where you tend to carry weight, you have the power to make sure that your body is as fit and healthy as possible. Do you carry weight like your mother or father? If weight issues run in your family, what have you done to keep yourself as healthy as possible? |
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