Obesity genes does not guarantee obesity

Ruth Loos, program leader in the MRC Epidemiology Unit at the Institute of Metabolic Science in the UK performed a recent study on an obesity gene entitled "FTO." The study was a re-analysis of over 218,000 people who participated in many previous studies. It was found that people who inherited this FTO gene were 30% more likely to be obese than those who did not inherit it (70% more likely if they inherited copies from both parents). The study also found that of those people who inherited the FTO gene, the ones that participated in exercise routines could cut their risk of obesity down to 22% (49% for those with two copies of the gene). Ultimately, I feel this study kind of reinforces an idea that many overweight/obese people know, they have the ability to lose weight and lean out through their environment (i.e. exercise, diet) but only by fighting the antagonistic forces of their genetics. This one step forward, two steps back idea really shows why obesity is such an epidemic in the united states today. Many people are predisposed to being obese and can only reduce that chance by exercising, not eliminate it completely.

http://healthland.time.com/2011/11/02/gym-vs-genes-how-exercise-trumps-obesity-genes/ (article link)

http://www.jessicashealthblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/exercise-busy-schedule.bmp (image link)