Research Says Genetic Explanation For Obesity
Eileen Gonzales
Reporting
(CBS 11 News) DALLAS A recent discovery may have a genetic explanation as to why some people are obese and others are not.
For the last decade, doctors at U.T. Southwestern in Dallas have been studying the genetic connection to waistlines.
Scientists are trying to figure out if obesity is genetic and some mice with uncontrollable appetites are helping scientists find the answer.
A research mouse led to the discovery of the most common genetic cause of obesity.
Researchers looked at two genetically identical mice. One mouse was bred with a genetic mutation that affects the part of the brain that regulates appetite. That mouse eats significantly more than the other mouse, and burns less calories.
The mouse weighs about 50% more than it should.
Although doctors determined genetics caused the mouse to become obese, it's a very rare condition, so most people can't blame it on their genes.
“The change in obesity in this country is not due to all of a sudden having 50% of the population carry a mutation in their genes. Change is due to the change in the environment,” said Dr. Andrew Zimm, U.T. Southwestern.
Dr. Zimm says only one in about 5,000 people have genetic cause for obesity.
“It's hard to say that it is a choice on their part to eat. They have a brain abnormality that is making them experience uncontrollable hunger,” he said.
When it comes to being overweight, he says many people just eat too much and exercise too little.
Experts warn that something has to be done about portion sizes in restaurants and the availability of unlimited calories.
Here in the United States, where food is readily available, it will take a plan of action to control the epidemic.
Scientists have uncovered clues to a number of fatness-related genes, but they say, there is no one "fat gene" that determines your weight.
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