By Editor,
April 2, 2012
Scientists
know that 50% of obesity cases are influenced by
genetics, but can this be overturned? In other
words, even if you have the doomed genes, can
you still have a healthy weight? Or no matter
what you do, will you put on the pounds?
At first glance,
the study suggests that a one-hour brisk
walk can prevent obesity. The overall message
coming out of this study is that we don't have
to feel doomed with the genes we have, and a
little exercise goes a long way. However,
effects of this exercise are limited and
unfortunately don't completely override the
detrimental consequences of having "obesity"
genes. For example, for a 6 ft. man weighting
200 lbs., the benefits of exercise were as
little as 0.4 pounds to counteract the effects
of his genetic makeup adding about 1 lbs. to his
weight.
However, if you think that for every 2 hours
that you sit in front of your television, you
increase your weight by 0.2 lbs., that probably
represents more than one pound per week. From
this point of view, going out for exercise seems
to be the obvious option! On top of adding to
the body of knowledge that physical exercise is
good for you, it can be inferred from this study
that people with "obesity" genes need more
exercise or less calories than people with
normal genes to maintain the same weight.
This study presents some limitations though.
It's difficult to separate exercise from any
other important factors, such as healthy
lifestyle, smoking, drinking, etc. Most likely,
the overall results are a combination of several
factors, not just exercise. Further research is
needed, possibly comparing how people with the
same genetic make-up react to different forms of
exercise.
In terms of conclusions from this study, the
most obvious one is not necessarily to go for a
brisk walk, but just don't stay for hours
sitting in front of your television. Have an
active lifestyle.
