Obesity, a problem that stares up at around 2 billion people worldwide, is rapidly becoming an epidemic. Now permanently etched in the lounge room, with the recent release of the television series “the Biggest Loser”, ironically encouraging us to sit on the couch and watch people loose weight as we gain it. However recent studies have proven that it may not be a case of will power rather genetics and stress that cause the muffin over our jeans.
UK researchers may well have uncovered a gene variant that could explain why some people are able to dine daily at various fast food outlets without packing on the pounds. The gene in question is known as FTO and while its exact biological mechanism was unable to be uncovered, it was found that a strong link existed between this FTO and hypothalamus, which regulates appetite. The influence of this genetic variant depends on if you have inherited one or two copies. A study was conducted on 38, 759 Britons, Finns and Italians and it was found a person with 2 copies is likely to weight on average 3kgs heavier than a person with zero inheritance. Likewise those with 1 copy weight around 1.2 kgs heavier. So is this FTO genetic variant disrupting our appetite?
Similarly various studies have been conducted involving the protein hormone, Leptin which directly effects body weight, reproduction and metabolism. Recent studies with obese and non obese humans proved positive in the relationship of leptin concentrations to BMI (Body Mass Index). Much like FTO, hypothalamic centres are responsible for the effectiveness of leptin and it has been found that one way of regulating this hormone is during sleep. Research conducted by Eve van Cauter, PhD, a diabetes researcher with the University of Chicago proved that Leptin levels usually rise during sleep, however a lack of sleep disruptes various hormone in the nervous systems directly effecting the levels of leptin produced. As a result our brain is no longer aware of the nutritional index of our body resulting in over indulgence.
There is no substitute for a healthy diet and exercise as means of loosing weight, however studies show that some of us have a genetic disposition that make it harder to loose weight than others. Unfortunately this is unavoidable, yet for others, it may be a case of a simple lifestyle readjustment to loose the love handles for good.
UK researchers may well have uncovered a gene variant that could explain why some people are able to dine daily at various fast food outlets without packing on the pounds. The gene in question is known as FTO and while its exact biological mechanism was unable to be uncovered, it was found that a strong link existed between this FTO and hypothalamus, which regulates appetite. The influence of this genetic variant depends on if you have inherited one or two copies. A study was conducted on 38, 759 Britons, Finns and Italians and it was found a person with 2 copies is likely to weight on average 3kgs heavier than a person with zero inheritance. Likewise those with 1 copy weight around 1.2 kgs heavier. So is this FTO genetic variant disrupting our appetite?
Similarly various studies have been conducted involving the protein hormone, Leptin which directly effects body weight, reproduction and metabolism. Recent studies with obese and non obese humans proved positive in the relationship of leptin concentrations to BMI (Body Mass Index). Much like FTO, hypothalamic centres are responsible for the effectiveness of leptin and it has been found that one way of regulating this hormone is during sleep. Research conducted by Eve van Cauter, PhD, a diabetes researcher with the University of Chicago proved that Leptin levels usually rise during sleep, however a lack of sleep disruptes various hormone in the nervous systems directly effecting the levels of leptin produced. As a result our brain is no longer aware of the nutritional index of our body resulting in over indulgence.
There is no substitute for a healthy diet and exercise as means of loosing weight, however studies show that some of us have a genetic disposition that make it harder to loose weight than others. Unfortunately this is unavoidable, yet for others, it may be a case of a simple lifestyle readjustment to loose the love handles for good.
References:
http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/health-and-human-body/human-body/fat-costs.html?nav=FEATURES
Republished from the pages of National Geographic magazineWritten by Cathy NewmanAugust 2004
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/67666.php
Written by: Catharine PaddockWriter: Medical News Today
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/11/09/health/webmd/main654548.shtml
By Jeanie Lerche DavisReviewed by Brunilda Nazario, MD© 2004, WebMD Inc. All rights reserved.
http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/health-and-human-body/human-body/fat-costs.html?nav=FEATURES
Republished from the pages of National Geographic magazineWritten by Cathy NewmanAugust 2004
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/67666.php
Written by: Catharine PaddockWriter: Medical News Today
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/11/09/health/webmd/main654548.shtml
By Jeanie Lerche DavisReviewed by Brunilda Nazario, MD© 2004, WebMD Inc. All rights reserved.
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