Clear obesity gene link 'found'

[Scout]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6547891.stm

please read the article ...

Scientists say they have identified the clearest genetic link to obesity yet.

They found people with two copies of a "fat" version of a gene had a 70% higher risk of obesity than those with none, and weighed 3kg (6.5lb) more.

The work in Science by the Peninsula Medical School and Oxford University studied data from about 40,000 people.

The findings suggest that although improving lifestyle is key to reducing obesity, some people may find it harder to lose weight because of their genes.

The authors say their work, funded by the Wellcome Trust, could improve understanding of obesity and eventually help prevent it, as well as an illness it is linked to.

People carrying one copy of the "fat" FTO variant had a 30% increased risk of being obese compared to a person with no copies of that version.

Those carrying two copies of the variant had a 70% increased risk of being obese, and were on average 3kg (6.6lb) heavier than a similar person with no copies.

Professor Andrew Hattersley of the Peninsula Medical School said this could explain why two people can seem to eat the same things and do the same amount of exercise yet one may struggle to lose weight more than the other.

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as we've known/suspected for a long time diet and exercise play a part, but there is only so much that one can accomplish depending on your genetics.

[Taverner]

1. Yes - and in a later time this would have been an advantage

Imagine, eating one meal and then going on a hunt for 2 weeks without food

In essence - these folks are just more efficient at digestion than the average human.

[MADem]

2. So, if people have this gene and get fired for being fat (police, fire, e.g.)

do they have an actionable case for wrongful termination?