Learning Channel - diet/exercise/obesity

[Guest guest]

The Learning Channel had a show a few months ago on the genetic

predisposition towards obesity. They profiled certain individuals,

and they reported on twins (I believe they were identical) and how

diet and exercise had an effect on their lives. It was a very

interesting show and they'll probably run it again. I'd recommend

watching...if not taping it.

I don't claim to be any kind of expert on the subject (other than

knowing what it's like to be obese for many years). So, please take

this as 'my interpretation' on that show and what they were trying to

say...not as definitive scientific fact!

One set of twins were women who had been adopted and raised

completely differently. One had strict dietary requirements and was

an exercise fanatic. The other ate anything she wanted and did not

participate in any formal exercise. These 2 women 'found' themselves

when they were adults. Their difference in weight was about 4

pounds. These 2 women were not genetically predisposed towards

obesity.

The other set of twins were men. One guy ran regularly, played

sports, ate healthily (i.e., watched fat grams/calories, etc.). His

brother was not very active (bowled on a league) and didn't really

watch calories/fat grams, etc. The first twin was very fit; the

other had love handles, beer belly and quite a few more pounds. In

this case, there was a tendency towards obesity. However, because of

diet and exercise, the first twin was keeping his weight/health under

control.

Then, the show also profiled several women (funny ladies who had

formed a synchronized swimming group!). These women had been obese

since childhood. Some had had their jaws wired shut as kids; one had

electric shock therapy! All had dieted, drugged, exercised, etc.

Their genetic predisposition was extremely profound and diet/exercise

didn't yeild lasting or significant improvement.

So - what was the point the show was making... Diet and exercise may

not make a bit of difference for some people. Some - because

genetically - they just don't have the potential to be obese. Or

others - because genetically - they going to be obese no matter what

they do. Then there are others who are somewhere 'in between'.

These are the individuals who tend towards weight gain or have even

been very overweight but who have dieted and exercised, completely

changed their eating/exercise habits, and have maintained their daily

commitment to this.

On a personal note...

I see much the same as what the TV show profiled in my own family

between my sister, my daughter and I. My sister and I are not twins,

so obviously we're not genetically the same. However, the women on

both our mother's and father's sides of the family are/were obese.

(Talk about being doomed!) Never an exerciser -- I have struggled

with weight (focusing mostly on dieting) all of my adult life (25+

years). At the point where I was 80+ pounds overweight, exercise

programs and even diet changes, had little/no effect. I stuck with

these programs 6-9 months and never noticed a size change!

Conversely, since reaching adulthood, my sister has been very

diligent in her exercise and eating habits - and has not succumbed to

the same situation as I. But, she has to work at maintaining her

weight, health and fitness EVERY DAY. If she does slack off for a

bit, she is extremely good about getting back on a 'program' when 5-

10 pounds creep up!

Then, there's my daughter. She has battled obesity from childhood.

She's short and has always weighed in higher percentiles. She was

active as a child (much more than me) and participated in sports,

marching band, etc. We saw nutritionists about proper eating, wrote

out menus/snack schedules, etc. As a junior in high school - she

went on Phen-fen. Really the only time she lost a significant amount

of weight (which go her to a size 14-16). Now, at age 22, she has a

BMI of 41 (in comparison - I weighed about 125 then and I'm 5'5 " !)

So within my family, diet/exercise have led to varying results. It

clearly makes a difference for my sister. It might have for me if

I'd acquired better habits when I was younger and/or before the

weight got 'out of control'. But, for my daughter, it doesn't seem

to make much difference at all.

Isn't the human body and how it works interesting stuff?

Kind regards,

Debbie

MGB 7/27/00