There are a number of factors that go into determining our size and shape. Although a significant portion is related to lifestyle choices, genetics also plays a part. You might have noticed that you tend to carry weight like your mother (or father), and that many of your family members have the same basic shape- although they may be different sizes based on their lifestyles and habits. Of course your lifestyle choices have a huge impact on your health. But if you’re like me, at a certain point you recognized that you’re never going to be a size 0 supermodel because you’re just not built that way. But it’s not fair to blame your weight solely on your genes, and new research is analyzing the behaviors that can reduce the effect of genetics on weight loss. The research, published in PLoS Medicine, studied 12 genetic variants that increase the risk of obesity, and also tracked the physical activity levels of over 20,000 participants. Researchers found that "physical activity can reduce the genetic tendency toward obesity by 40%." The researchers also said that moderate activity for 30 minutes per day is a good start to reducing the effect of your genes on your size. So it’s not like you have to exercise for hours each day or run marathons in order to reap the benefits. Last year, Time magazine ran a cover story titled "Why Exercise Won’t Make You Thin." It drew a lot of controversy when it questioned the importance of physical activity if you’re trying to lose weight. Coach Dean wrote a very informative blog about this article and why it shouldn’t keep you from getting off of the couch and out the door to the gym. What do you think? Do studies like this give you more resolve to change your habits and take control of your lifestyle choices? |
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