Is obesity in our genes? Study strengthens genetic link to body size

Is obesity in our genes? Dr. Elizabeth Speliotes, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H., explains the role genes play in body size and shape.
By analyzing genetic samples of 300,000 individuals across the globe, researchers have found more than 100 locations across the genome linked with obesity traits. These genetic clues may one day help doctors tailor the advice they give to patients about obesity complications. The study was published in the 12 Feb. issue of Nature.

[Justinbowling]

Your ancestors ate deer, goat, cow, fish once or twice a day and they fasted many times a year.

But we eat sugar and starch and canola oil and chemicals 5 times a day and NEVER fast.

[Spiritfba]

You can see the difference in children. My side of the family is pudgy but my husband's side is thin. My children do not normally turn down food, ever. His (my step children) will happily go most of the day without eating or mentioning food. There's definitely something in the brain that helps thin people to not desire food as much, or to be satisfied with much less. I'm not a scientist but it's pretty obvious.

[david.tousignant]

Many studies concluded that many factors weighed (no pun intended) in the current obesity crisis we are witnessing.

Those studies determined there are 7 causes whom lead to obesity (eating habits, exercising, genetics, sleep, etc.). But, genes isn't the sole problem here.

Which explains why the obesity rate went from less than 3% to 42% in the USA in less than 75 years.

I was a former obese (I've lost 100 pounds since) and you have to work on what lead to your weight gain.

Sorry for my English mistakes.

[BlackRose-rpkv]

Dont try to tell me america is all fat because genetics lol

[justbarley]

Short answer, no, you just have access to a lot of food

[winstonchang]

I think we are genetically predisposed to a certain level of propensity for food. I have 4 cats, all are happy to "come to eat", but the black cat always "stops" eating after half a can of cat food.
The fatter cat cannot have enough and she eats other cats' food. Children who are not "picky" about food tend to become fat latter in life. So, in some ways, one can say that if you were in
an environment where food is limited.(eg three plain food meals in jail), you would tend to be skinny.

[GoodDr.]

I love your video, its very informative and well discuss. Together, we can create a future where health and well-being are accessible to all, regardless of weight

[bluesdirt]

My wife’s grandmother spent the last twenty years of her life in a wheelchair overweight, Her mom is the same . She has 4 sisters that right around 50 years started gaining weight uncontrollably. There’s also arthritis involved. ?

[bernardjameswilson]

Some people just burn foods faster I guess. Me and my younger brother eat about the same amount of food around 3000-4000 kcal per day. But he's 53 kgs @ 162cm and I'm 105kg @ 192cm.

[JuukezeBarbie]

I have maternal relatives specifically females that are quite physically fit and within the means as far as weight and height ratio goes as youngsters but somehow once they reach womanhood their bodies undergo extreme transformation into obese mode

[omarflores]

Nah mate I made my self fat 6 years ago from eating but I’m swol now

[udi]

take a look at bone structure, you'd be surprised

[KarlaBytchLOL]

This was an interesting video I always wondered if some people are obese because of genetics

[eoin]

Ok so worth pointing out some basic statistical theory here. If you've studied the genome of obese people and mapped anomalies against the general population, you have not proven genetic causes for obesity.

You would have to test the alternative hypothesis (environment and dietary causes) by identifying said genes in a group of children and studying weight outcomes and its relationship with lifestyle.

[raystargazer]

I have no idea what this lady was talking about...

[mikealvarez]

Obesity is 100% genetics. Fat people almost never lose weight and if they do they regain their "normal" weight in just a few short months.

[magallanthepenguin]

Is obesity a problem with emperor penguins?

[joewger]

True my dad was skinny and my mom fat and both worked hard in tire factories. We all ate the same meals every day. My mom was big boned and fat all her life. I took after my mom with large bones and large calves that I could never wear boots even when I was young and thinner. My pants had to be tailored because my legs were too big even though I only weighed 225 lbs and was 6' 8 inches tall..

[noli.me.tangere]

Genetics make some minor differences in fitness for some people in some circumstances. But 99% of the time genetics have been used by people as an excuse to let themselves go. If your whole family is fat, it's NOT proof that they're genetically predisposed to be fat. It just means they passed bad eating and living habits to one another. Scientists should be ashamed of themselves for perpetuating this genetics/obesity lie.

[legioparati]

Being fat is genetics, it's not a life choice