Obesity isn’t just a product of a lack of willpower, but a result of genes, says new research.
Six years after a gene called FTO was linked with obesity, researchers have shown that it probably makes people plumper by failing to dampen their hunger following meals, and by increasing the allure of mouth-watering, high-calorie foods.
People with two copies of one of those variants – “AA” – are 70% more likely to develop obesity than those who inherit two versions of the other type – “TT”.
Even having one version of this obesity-related variant – as half of all white Europeans do – raises the risk by 30%, making FTO the gene most strongly linked with obesity.
Read more at New Scientist