Q&A - Do Your Genes Make You Fat? - with Giles Yeo

Does what you eat and when you eat it matter? Is where you store fat determined by genetics? Giles Yeo answers audience questions following his discourse.

Watch the talk here:

Giles Yeo is a neuroscientist and geneticist at the University of Cambridge. He is a Principal Research Associate and group leader at the University Metabolic Research Labs, studying brain control of food intake and bodyweight. He is also director of the Genomics and Transcriptomics core facility.

This talk and Q&A were filmed in the Ri on 26 January 2018.

[recklessroges]

I could have done with another hour of questions if the answers were going to be this good. Thank you Dr Yeo.

[NetAndyCz]

Damn, Giles Yeo has awesome presentation skills, I wish the Q&A was longer.

[philipbannor]

Wow, some really amazing questions and explanations here - one of the better presentations I have watched!

[identity]

I count calories and I am normal weight.
Sure, counting calories doesn't take into account caloric availability, but I feel like it gives me a rough estimation so that I don't overeat. Like, when I go to mcdonalds, I could eat like 20 cheeseburgers until I am full, but I know that one is about 300 kcal so I can't have more than 6, and if I had 6, it'd mean I can't have anything else that day.

Counting calories is not a perfect system, but in a busy life where not everyone can be a nutritional expert every day, it's better than not doing it. Show me an obese person who counts their calories and doesn't exceed daily limit.

[wendym]

I respectfully think that info like this, is a disservice to over weight people. I'm not saying it's easy ( but it can be if you approach it the right way) but one can eat better, eat less, get the right kind of exercise in to keep weight at bay, and lose the weight for good, and be so much happier and feel so much better. It gives people struggling with obesity an excuse, and takes away their hope and possibility that they will be successful at losing their weight permanently.

[PushkarCarlotto]

Wonderful presentation! I love the way he presents things, and it is so fun listening to. Thank you. But what about the influence of intestinal flora? (oh, well, 13:10, is my question, thanks for asking.)

[erwinlommer]

I think he did not answer the second part of the last question. Do we have genes that makes us more or less likely to take the stairs instead of escalator? In other words if genes affect our eating behaviours and (probably) our metabolism speed in ability to take calories from foods, are there also genes that make us move and excercise different amounts?

And while it might be about metabolism again, I wonder if we have genes that make us eat and desire food differently after excercise? Do some people have stronger urge than others to get the calories back after spending a lot of energy excercising for example?

[BenTajer]

I think the seasonal thing might not be like hibernation, but if you are colder you do burn more calories, and that should make you hungrier.

[keeperofthegood]

Wish I could have been there and asked a few questions too, like: Why is it, in the males of my family, that up until our mid 30's we have a generally under valued BMI, however following mid 30's that completely reverses. This is a truism that has been in the male lineage going back to pre-emmigration to the Americas and is well known and passed down informatively through the generations as a cautionary to watch for.

[r.b.]

More biology and less physics on this channel!

[charlesparrish]

Eat healthy bottom line;you may still be big but you’re body will benefit from healthy eating.The genes may keep you big but you’ll be healthy.

[DANGJOS]

I have an issue with what he said about visceral fat being 100% genetic. I read a study that said those fed a fructose sweetened drink gained more visceral fat than those fed glucose, even though the amount of weight gained was about the same. Is he sure it is 100% genetic, or could there be dietary factors that make a difference?

[drewfisher]

I have always tought of calory counting as riddiculous. Thank you for articulating it so masterfully.

[charlesparrish]

I put on a bloody stone;just say pounds…

[charlesparrish]

Genes do affect size and weight bottom line!

[andrewlankford]

Yes, they do. That's why I have a gene-free diet.