Monday, October 10, 2011
Want to become skinny? They have a gene for that.
We've all learned that the genes we inherit from our parents make us who we are. Our parent's genes determine our hair and eye color, height, and everything in-between. Now, according to this article, we can even inherit "skinny genes." Researchers at the University College London performed a 5 year study linking body weight of 7,000 kids and teenagers. Their results show that children of thin parents are more likely to become thin compared to children of normal or upper weight parents. That's not to say because you have skinny parents, you too will become or stay skinny. In fact, the gene doesn't prevent you from becoming heavier but influences your appetite. It's nice if we all could inherit the skinny gene, but studies have shown that the "miracle gene" doesn't last forever and eventually loses it's charm in the long run. Before you go and thank or blame your parents for what they gave you, you have to keep in mind that it is mostly yourself who determine what you are. Daily exercise and healthy diet are still key components to a healthy body and life.
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This is an interesting article. I have always thought that the correlation between the weight of parents and their children just had to do with eating habits passed down.
ReplyDeleteI found this article interesting as well. I have always thought that there was a correlation between weight of your parents and your own weight. I also wonder if the same genes influence metabolism and or how your body breaks down glucose. Also, maybe the genes are related to inherited appetite and not just eating habits passed down from your parents.
ReplyDeleteI definitely think it's more about one's own habits. What about a couple that had two children and one was thin and the other wasn't?
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