The-Weightloss-Guide » The Obesity Gene Link

The Obesity Gene Link

Although this is just a first step of many, acknowledging that there is a connection between our genes and the chance to be overweight is a huge one.
Many scientists knew that there was a connection but could not isolate the specific genes involved. Now that they have been isolated more studies will be funded.

Having a gene connection does not mean that some are doomed to be obese - it just means that some have more of a tendency to be obese.
It shouldn’t be used as a crutch or excuse to be fat.

clipped from news.yahoo.com

Six new gene mutations linked to obesity

WASHINGTON (Reuters) –
At least six new gene mutations linked to obesity that point to ways the brain and nervous system control eating and metabolism have been identified, researchers reported Sunday.

Joel Hirschhorn at Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston led a team called Genetic Investigation of Anthropometric Traits, or GIANT, to screen 15 different studies of the entire human genetic map and pinpoint the six new genetic variations.

The GIANT team found variations in six genes — TMEM18, KCTD15, GNPDA2, SH2B1, MTCH2 and NEGR1 — were strongly associated with the height-to-weight ratio known as body mass index (BMI).