Scientist identify obesity gene

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,265781,00.html

I just found this news article, according to the article scientist have identified a gene that contributes to obesity.  I do believe that obesity and tendency to be overweight are partially genetic.  Just thought this was an interesting article to pass on.

I wonder how long until every pharmaceutical company offers new diet drugs to stop weight loss that supposedly stop this gene from making you obese.

Since I watched bodyshock, about the man who weighed a tonne, I do fully believe that such a gene exists. After listening to the surgeon who was on there...

& I've always thought there was something like that purely because some people are unebelievably unhealthy, and are lighter than people who are healthier.  

I agree that genetics do play a role, but I think once all this information is "out there" and there are drugs for it and whatnot, that people will use it as an excuse for not making healthy changes to their lives - "Oh I have the obesity gene so it wouldn't matter if ate healthy and exercised, so I'll just sit here and eat a Big Mac" - that kind of mentality.

I hate to admit this, but I heard doctor Phil say once (I was waiting for the news to come on after the show, seriously) that a person cannot be obese without a lifestyle that supports it.  As much as I'd like to clock that guy in the face, he's got a point.

I agree with you Star - because were their morbidly obese people 100 or so years ago?  I highly doubt it!  We live in a greedy society that enables us to be fat - bottom line!

Just because you carry a gene doesn't mean that it will express, or that decisions you make in your lifetime can't affect whether it expresses.  It just increases your chances of suffering consequences compared to other people who don't carry the gene.  I have no doubt that there are genes that contribute to obesity, but that doesn't make them the cause of obesity.

I'm sure that such a gene exists.  To me it explains why some folks can eat anything they want, and I have to be so careful.  But no gene gets you out of taking responsibility for your own weight or your health.  I can lose weight like anyone else, it just takes me more of a commitment than some people.

I wonder how long before insurence companies start  charging extra if you have the gene?  The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act needs to be passed.  There have been bills like this waiting to be passed since 1995 with no real action.  Time for those elected peoples to get off thier butts.

I definately believe, at least part of it, is genetics.  I have a photo of my Great Grandmother that was taken in the late 1800's and I'd guess by the looks in the photo she weighed well over 300 lbs.  I also believe that during that time frame most people worked physically hard.

As I'm counting my calories I think of her.

I agree 100% with what lysistrata said.  Genetics plays a role in cancer as well, but just because someone has a genetic predisposition for cancer, it doesn't automatically mean they will have cancer no matter what.  Environmental factors and lifestyle choices play an equally important role.

I encourage fellow scientists to continue discovering the genes that contribute to this ailment and that ailment, this trait and that trait, because it increases our understanding of the human genome.  But, we know a lot already and have yet to see any magic cure-all remedies.

almost everyone can be fit if they just exercise and eat moderately. i think the obesity gene is more related to the tendency to overeat (or have cravings) than the ability to gain weight easily. the fact that people were thinner 100 years ago doesn't mean that they couldn't gain weight just as easily if they were given the food we have today. they just stayed thin because there were less bad foods out there to tempt them.

i think this explains why i'm much more interested in food than things like alcohol, gambling, shopping, etc. i got the foodie gene! (good thing i don't have the other addict genes... that would seriously mess up my life o_O;;)

My father in law drives me crazy with stuff like this.  He firmly believes that genetics are everything and that the choices you make have little or no impact.  What drives me nuts is that the man is a surgeon, an MD for chrissake, and at least 70 pounds overweight.  His wife is overweight too and is starting to have trouble walking.  I can't figure out if they really don't care, or if it's like star suggested ... they think they have a genetic predisposition so they aren't bothering to make better choices.  I really think it's sad.

"genes cock the gun, lifestyle choices pull the trigger"

if only it were loaded with blanks... or if it was a water gun....

*has carried the metaphor too far...*

I totally agree with lysistrata.  Having a gene and expressing a gene are 2 different things.  Carrying a gene in your DNA does not mean it will be expressed phenotypically.  Something actually has to trigger the gene to be expressed.  It may make it easier for people to gain weight/ harder to lose it, or make them more likely to be sensitive to stimuli regarding food and giving in to them instead of true hunger if they have this gene, but it's not like the day you're born it is expressing itself and has determined you will be obese always.

I also agree with star1020- it will become an excuse for people not to lose weigth.  If they can blame it on their genes, it is another way to remove self blame and don't people just love misplaced balme?!

i believe this is just called METABOLISM! some people have fast metabolism and slow metabolism.

I was an obese child... 5'3 and 193 in 7th grade... now I'm 5'4 and 110... hmm... could this be the obesity gene or simply taking control of my eating and not eating fast food along with integrating working out!?

Gee... people are just looking for every excuse in the world instead of taking responsibility for themselves

wow, you're right... I never thought about it that way before...

I am going to write a letter to my congressman, my senators, the secretary of health and human services, the head of the CDC and the NIH and my governor and, and, to the presidents of every public university that's doing obesity research and ask them to STOP doing that research.

It's just making excuses for people! 

No more obesity research!

;)

i don't think they need to stop the research. it's pretty interesting don't u think? of course, there are always those who would make excuses to get themselves out of dieting, but if they wish to escape reality and responsibility that way, hey, they are the ones who will suffer the consequences

we know intelligence is genetic too, but that doesn't justify students failing. same thing goes for the obesity gene and actually being obese ~

It really makes a lot of sense that there is an obesity gene. My entire family (even extended) has struggled with weight at some point. It's not that they eat horribly (in most cases)...it's just that no matter what they do it seems like it's harder for them to lose weight than just about anyone else I know. Those who have finally overcome it had to work VERY hard and VERY long at it....

I'm finally getting on track, though I was fortunate and they found that I had a thyroid issue...and couldn't lose weight no matter WHAT I did...but everyone's been tested and my cousin and I are the only ones with that.

I do agree, though, that care needs to be taken to avoid making the obesity gene an excuse for an unhealthy lifestyle. Having an obseity gene doesn't automatically make you fat. People need to realize how their own bodies work and respond to different foods and activities, and go from there. If you eat and exercise as your body requires, then you wont get fat in the first place. Right?

If anything, I hope that as people discover that they have the obesity gene, they just realize that they WILL have to work a little harder to get or stay healthy, and that it does not just give them a reason to be lazy because it's "hopeless."

I think it's somewhat genetic, but also a matter of nurture. If you're raise deating a large amount of crappy foods, then when you eat on your own you're liable to make the same bad choices. I think this is often confused with genetics. 

Interesting to consider that the genetic pool most of us hail from were not obese a few decades ago.  And that those folks hail from areas all over the world, wherein folks aren't obese.

People have the genetic ability to become many things, I believe in our case, here in the gold ole US of A, obesity is primarily a lifestyle issue.

Or perhaps people with the fat gene were also genetically inclined to move to the states and set up shop together... 

rubs chin & *thinks*

i have 2 dogs, 1 petite and trim that we can allow to eat as liberally as she will and the other dog  is always piling on the weight and begging for more food.

both raised in the same manner and environment...

hmmm....  methinks it is a difference in their body/genes that drives one to eat and gain weight and the other one to be finicky and borderline underweight.

Obesity is a complex issue ~ there are definite nearly irrisitable physical urges from hormones to eat that affect many people.  couple this with easy to acquire food and a sedentary lifestyle and it's a powder keg....

but it saddens me to hear people say... it's just diet and lack of will power and eating habits.  If only that were so...