The Secret to Turning Off Your Fat Genes

By , SparkPeople Blogger
A lot of factors help determine a person’s body shape and size, and there’s no doubt that genetics plays a part in it.  You might notice that you tend to gain weight easily like your mother or gain first in certain areas like your father.  A number of studies have identified the "fat gene" which can increase your risk of becoming overweight or obese by an average of 12 percent.  Surprisingly, a large number of people are estimated to carry this gene- 65 percent of those of European or African descent.   But does that mean you’re destined to struggle with your weight throughout your life?  Not necessarily.  In fact, there might be some simple ways to outsmart your genes and avoid weight gain.
 
 
A new report, published in the journal PLoS Medicine, found that small amounts of physical activity can help offset the risk of weight gain from this gene (referred to as the FTO gene.)  This report re-analyzed some of the data from previous studies on the topic, with a sample size of 218,000 people.  The report categorized anyone who did moderate or vigorous physical activity for at least one hour per week as physically active.  Even though an hour a week might not be considered "active" to many, only 25 percent of those studied qualified as active.  Of those who were active, 30 percent were able to reduce the effect of the FTO gene and maintain a normal weight.
 
Researchers still don’t quite understand how the FTO gene works, but their theory is that it affects appetite and behavior.  "Though there are only limited functional data, it appears that the gene is highly expressed in the brain," says Dr. Lu Qi, an assistant professor in the department of nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health and one of the dozens of scientists who agreed to re-examine his past data for this new analysis. It is especially active in "the regions that regulate the balance of energy intake and expenditure," he continues. "The loss of energy balance is the basis of development of obesity."  Since physical activity is also involved in energy expenditure, it will affect energy balance, thereby potentially negating the effects the gene has on the body. 
 
Although it’s no guarantee, this early research shows that minimal exercise can have an impact on your genetic predisposition to obesity.  Instead of taking the attitude that you’re destined to have weight problems no matter what you do, get up and get moving!  Taking a short walk, going for a bike ride or even playing with your kids a few times a week can have a big impact on your health and your waistline.
 
What do you think?