Fat Happens – Is A Fat Gene Responsible For The Obesity Crisis? Is There A Weight Loss Cure?
Much has been said recently of a so-called ‘Fat Gene’, which research scientists have identified as being present in some people, and absent in others. Recent talk in the media about the ‘Fat Gene’ has led to much debate and fall-out about the underlying causes of Obesity. Will this lead to a weight loss cure?
A ‘Fat Gene’ makes sense, and has long been suspected – anyone could name friends and colleagues that do not exercise and eat what they like, and remain at a normal weight. Other people are careful about their diet and do exercise, yet are overweight. When people who lead similar lifestyles can have contrasting body weights, it stands to reason that DNA is an underlying factor. If DNA is to blame, then surely scientists can develop a weight loss cure?
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The ‘Fat Gene’ In The Media
A debate on BBC Radio 5 on Thursday 12 April 2007 between experts and healthcare professionals sparked much controversy around the issue of the Fat Gene – some suggesting that regardless of its presence, a person could still exercise and eat healthily, and lose weight. Others suggested that our changing lifestyle – less exercise and less healthy food – was to blame. The point was made that 40-50 years ago, as a nation, Britain was healthier and obesity was not a problem – because of our lifestyle. The Fat Gene would have been a part of our DNA then – therefore other factors are now to blame for the Obesity epidemic. The ‘Fat Gene’ cannot be hald responsible. Similarly, in Japan, there is a growing Obesity Epidemic. Type 2 Diabetes is an increasing problem in Japan (Type 2 Diabetes occurs in adults and is linked to Obesity). An influx of Western culture is widely held to be the culprit.
The Facts: A Major Genetic Study Identifies The Clearest Link Yet To Obesity Risk
Research scientists have identified a clear genetic link to obesity in the general population, as part of a major study of diseases funded by the Wellcome Trust. People with 2 copies of a particular gene variant have a 70% higher risk of being obese than those with no copies. This has raised hopes of a weight loss cure being developed – is DNA can be linked to obesity surely a cure can be found?
The ‘Fat Gene’
Scientists from the Peninsula Medical School, Exeter, and the University of Oxford, first identified a DNA/genetic link to obesity through a study of 2,000 people with type 2 Diabetes, and 3,000 control subjects. Through this study, researchers identified a strong association between an increase in BMI, and a variation of the gene FTO.
The researchers then tested a further 37,000 samples for this gene from Bristol, Dundee and Exeter as well as a number of other regions in the UK and Finland. The study found that people carrying one copy of the FTO ‘Fat Gene’ have a 30% increased risk of being obese compared to a person with no copies. Furthermore, a person carrying two copies of the FTO ‘Fat Gene’ has a 70% increased risk of being obese, being on average 3KG heavier than a similar person with no copies. Amongst white Europeans, approximately one in six people carry both copies of the FTO ‘Fat Gene’.
"As a nation, we are eating more but doing less exercise, and so the average weight is increasing. Within the population some people seem to put on more weight than others," explains Professor Andrew Hattersley from the Peninsula Medical School. "Our findings suggest a possible answer to someone who might ask 'I eat the same and do as much exercise as my friend next door, so why am I fatter?' There is clearly a component to obesity that is genetic." The link between Obesity and a ‘Fat Gene’ has led to many suggesting that in several years, scientists could develop a weight loss cure.
There is however as yet no medical understanding of why the FTO ‘Fat Gene’ makes a person more likely to be obese – the research only finds a link between having 2 copies of the Fat Gene, and a person’s likelihood of being obese.
"Even though we have yet to fully understand the role played by the FTO ‘Fat Gene’ in obesity, our findings are a source of great excitement," says Professor Mark McCarthy from the University of Oxford. "By identifying this genetic link, it should be possible to improve our understanding of why some people are more obese, with all the associated implications such as increased risk of diabetes and heart disease." By increasing such understanding, a weight loss cure could be developed.
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The Obesity Crisis
Obesity is a major cause of many serious diseases, and is associated with an increased risk of Type 2 Diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Obesity typically is measured using body mass index (BMI), although this method has potential flaws (BMI is not a measure of the percentage of fat in the body, and muscle is heavier than fat – a professional sportsperson will have a high BMI, when they are in fact healthy and have a low body-fat percentage – Irish rugby international Brian O’Driscoll is said to have a BMI that would indicate critical obesity).
The Obesity Epidemic – A Worldwide Problem
Due to reduced physical activity/exercise, and changing dietary habits, obesity is increasing worldwide. Stress, work, and less free time are all blamed for not exercising; similarly the meteoric increase of fast-food restaurants has led to a change in the quality of the food we eat. According to a health survey from 2001, in England over 1/5 of males and a similar proportion of females aged 16 and over were classified as obese. Half of men and a third of women were classified as overweight.
The problem of Obesity is not solely confined to the UK, or indeed the Western world. Australia and New Zealand, many parts of Asia and certain of the wealthier African countries are experiencing the health problems associated with Obesity. Many blame the growing popularity of the western diet, and particularly the growth of fast-food chains across the world. Healthy diets are being replaced, or at least supplemented, by fast-food which is high in fat and low in goodness.
Obesity is one of the most challenging problems for public health in the UK. The risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes increases significantly for obese people. Through its effect on BMI, having one copy of the FTO ‘Fat Gene’ increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 25%, having two copies of the ‘Fat Gene’ increases the risk by 50%.
Experts have suggested that today’s children are expected to live shorter lives and will experience more health complications than their parents. The media has highlighted several cases of grossly overweight children recently.
Obesity – Is There A Weight Loss Cure?
The media commonly reports on cases where a patient has had their stomach stapled, or had a gastric band fitted. Such action ensures that the stomach cannot intake too much food, an effective means of regulating a persons calorie intake. Many experts view these steps as a ‘last-ditch resort’, and believe that they should only be employed after trying all other weight loss cures. Many recommend that there is no substitute to regular exercise and a healthy balanced diet. The theory is simple – burn off more calories that you intake and you will lose weight. Make a serious effort and you will lose weight – fast! There are also a number of slimming programmes and products that are a highly effective means of helping a person lose weight – alongside proper exercise and diet. HYDROXYCUT for instance helps a person lose weight by boosting their metabolism – increasing the rate at which their body processes food and uses it for energy. This means that less of what you eat is converted to fat. HYDROXYCUT also gives you increased energy – helping you feel energised and fresh, and helping you exercise. Finally, HYDROXYCUT helps you lose weight by suppressing your appetite – meaning you have no desire to overeat. Burn of more calories that you intake, and you will lose weight – the HYDROXYCUT way. HYDROXYCUT has been clinically proven in trials as an effective means of losing weight (see HYDROXYCUT Fat Loss Support Formula).
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