Gene 'triggers unhealthy eating'

[Guest guest]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7773146.stm

People who carry a gene variant linked to obesity eat an average of

100 extra calories per meal, research suggests.

The key variant of the FTO gene is thought to be carried by 63% of people.

The New England Journal of Medicine study, by the University of

Dundee, carried out eating tests on 100 children aged four to 10.

Those with the gene variant chose foods with more sugar and fat,

suggesting they were instinctively drawn to them rather than healthy

options.

Each child in the study took part in three eating tests, offering a

range of different food types.

The researchers found that the gene variant had no impact on the speed

at which the body broke down food, or on how active people were.

There was also no evidence that those who carried it had any trouble

registering when they were full up and should stop eating.

However, they did seem to be instinctively attracted to more calorific

foods.

Too tempting

Lead researcher Professor Colin Palmer said: " This work demonstrates

that this gene does not lead to obesity without overeating and

suggests that obesity linked to this gene could be modulated by

careful dietary control.

" What it effectively shows is that the people with the relevant

variants on the gene have a trait which may lead them to eat more

unhealthy, fattening foods. "

Professor Palmer said the findings also reinforced the idea that

soaring obesity rates were closely linked to the widespread

availability of cheap, calorie-packed foods.

For people carrying the relevant gene variant, these may simply be too

tempting to resist.

Research has shown that people carrying one copy of the key FTO

variant (49% of the population) have a 30% increased risk of obesity,

while for those carrying two copies the increased risk is almost 70%.

'Get smarter'

Professor Palmer said it was likely that many different genes were

involved in obesity.

Dr Ian , medical director of the charity Weight Concern, said:

" Given that half of us have the FTO gene, making us more prone to

eating fatty, sugary foods, this must surely help us to understand how

difficult it can be for individuals to simply use will-power to change

their behaviour and adopt a healthier diet when their genetic make-up

is telling them to do the opposite.

" If we are to tackle this problem adequately, we need to get smarter

and start dealing with all the underlying forces that influence our

choices.

" We need to find ways to make a healthier lifestyle a more attractive

and, therefore, an easier option. "

[Guest guest]

PyrettaThat is very interesting, makes sense. I know I just have trouble resisting the bad stuff and wish I could automatically select the nice healthy option but I just dont/ cant/ wont. Even tho I think its 'not my fault' I do have to have some personal responsibility for what I do put in my mouth. Thanks