Genetic Make-up, is it Made Up?
From our height to our skin tone, we are all different and come with different features. Most of these features are decided by our genetic makeup before we are ever out of the womb. Most of these traits cannot be controlled and we play the hand we are dealt.
When a person is genuinely trying to drop extra pounds and cannot, despite their best efforts, they may begin to feel like their genetics are holding them back. It may be true.
Obesity in America
Many people feel that America’s increasing obesity problem is due to lack of restraint or will by the dieter. It may be time to reconsider and reevaluate this position. Research is beginning to help us understand how genetics affect our diet and weight loss. Many people have noticed that they are achieving less weight loss from modifying their diet when compared to others. It is probably because of what is coded into their DNA.
How genetics play a role in weight loss
In general, genetic factors are blamed for weight management issues regardless if they actually do have a role in how one’s body appears. Statements like someone being big-boned, the whole family is that way, or they carry their weight in a certain area sound more like excuses than an explanation.
If you think about it in the terms of genetics, we know that genes are unable to be changed or controlled. People do have set body types that make them taller, shorter, thicker, or thinner than other people. Considering all of these factors, is would not be surprising if there are predispositions for how our weight is placed on our bodies.
This is not limited to just weight loss or gain. We are also predisposed to how easily we build muscles as well as our like or dislike of athletics. These issues come into play when you are adding exercise to a weight loss program. Just by these few examples it is easy to see how a person’s genetics could be a factor in their ability to lose weight.
Genetics Research
Research has been able to show the specific gene combinations that affect your retention of fat despite diet and exercise. This study was done over the course of a year with women who are in post-menopause, due to the fact they are more hormonally stable, and divided the groups into an exercise intervention group and the control group. Each member was selected specifically for their health and lifestyle features.
Once selected for the study, various lab tests were obtained which included set genetic tests. Everyone who participated was instructed to not change their diet. Those in the control group had a series of stretching exercises to perform while they were part of the study. The secondary group was asked to do a 45-min workout for five days each week. These were initially done with supervision and additional detailed tracking to allow the researchers to identify distinctions between both genetic and environmental factors.
The researchers reviewed the collected genetic information and discovered two specific genes that showed a related pattern for both fat loss and exercise. Their conclusion of this study shows that there is in fact a genetic variability which determines how we may or may not lose weight.
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