[Horus]

Here we have iron clad proof that obesity is genetic. We need to apologise to every person we have shamed for their corpulence since it is in no way their fault. Basically, mice with the gene IRX3 were fatter because the presence of this gene affected the ability of the hypothalamus to control appetite and metabolism.

This gene was obviously far rarer 100 years ago than it is now amongst western populations, and it seems to only exist amongst the rich minority in south-east Asian, subcontinental and sub-Saharan African countries. The introduction of highly refined, cheap "food" during more recent years, as well as the possibility of spending an entire life not having to walk any further than the distance from couch to car has nothing to do with the obesity epidemic. It's genetic.

Sorry fat people. This revelation is a victory for your people everywhere.

[Captain Gh]

Dude you call this proof? It's just a research on rats. It's been discussed many times before, some may have a propensity to be bigger, but your physique is made in the kitchen. No exception on this one!!!

[user10726]

(03-15-2014 11:21 AM)Captain Gh Wrote:  

Dude you call this proof? It's just a research on rats. It's been discussed many times before, some may have a propensity to be bigger, but your physique is made in the kitchen. No exception on this one!!!

[Horus]

(03-15-2014 11:21 AM)Captain Gh Wrote:  

Dude you call this proof? It's just a research on rats. It's been discussed many times before, some may have a propensity to be bigger, but your physique is made in the kitchen. No exception on this one!!!

As I said, it's iron clad and I stick by that. If you disagree with me you run the risk of hurting my feelings and the feelings of all those afflicted by this terrible disease.

[cardguy]

Well - cutting all the jokes aside. I do think there is a strong genetic component to 'will power'.

Just sayin'...

[Horus]

(03-15-2014 11:46 AM)cardguy Wrote:  

Well - cutting all the jokes aside. I do think there is a strong genetic component to 'will power'.

Just sayin'...

I'm not an expert, but I would suspect that the genetic component of will power is quite weak. The input of role models (parents) seems to be much stronger. Children of parents who live on a diet of fast food and Cheetos and who are fed a diet of fast food and Cheetos will likely not go into their adult life eating a proper diet. Children of parents who spend most of their time on the couch will probably not raise children who enjoy healthy outdoor exercise.

[cardguy]

But surely if there was a gene for 'will power' - the parents would lackit as well.

As such - the role model element of bad parenting would be hard to separate from any genetic component.

You would need to look at identical twins - who were separated and raised in different environments.

My money would say that a lot more identical twins have the same weight than people who do not share the same genes but raised in similar environments.

Indeed - it is interesting that whenever you see a pair of identical twins - one is never a lot fatter than the other. At least in my experience. That suggests genetic components. One could be to do with fat retention (as in the article above). But another one would be to do with the amount of discipline and will power somebody has.

Alas - even if there is a genetic component to such things - it would be very hard to measure.

[Sailor]

I do remember seeing a TV show many years ago showing twins who were separated at birth and reunited 15 years later;both were fatter than Lindy West