There is more research done nowadays on the genetic makeup of humans and many scientists have now determined that genes play a role in our weight. It is known that some people have more trouble losing weight than others and in fact appear to stay heavy no matter what they do and try and nobody believes them when they say that they are doing what they can. Geneticists do believe them now, however, and say that they are telling the truth and may very well be fighting a losing battle. The truth is that DNA controls every aspect of our outer looks and it is only logical that what controls hair color, height and complexion will also have something to say as to our weight and if we lost it fast or not. This possible link between genetics and weight loss has been long researched by the experts and the results are astounding.
Is it coincidence that obesity runs in families?
At some point or other you will hear someone say that there is no point in dieting, because everyone in their family is fat. Or maybe you have heard people talk about big bone statures running in the family or even that everyone in the family has the same problem zones, like the stomach, thighs or upper arms. Since other genetic traits are passed on from generation to generation, scientists also believe that heaviness, thinness, muscularity and inability to build up muscle mass are also characteristics that are all programmed into our DNA. The DNA contains all the genes that make us up and by doing a family genotypic history, certain disorders, mutations and physical attributes can all be linked to carriers found in the genotypes of our ancestors. This is a proven fact for a long time already, but it was not proven until recently that our weight characteristics are also given to us and determined long before we are even born. The conclusion is that it is no coincidence that obese children also have overweight or obese parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and siblings. The same principle also applies to being underweight, tall or short and a link connecting genetics and weight loss makes sense.
Our genes tell our bodies what the outer appearance to be. It is even possible to determine an oddity, mutation or disorder by doing a study on our chromosomes or by doing a DNA map. Scientists have determined features of people only based on this information and were right; even they had never laid eyes on the actual person. Recently researchers have managed to actually recognize and determined which combinations of genes are responsible for retaining body fat and this has been proven in long term studies. Scientists have said that people with certain gene combinations maintained a certain weight, usually high, no matter what they did. They did not eat bad foods or cook in an unhealthy manner, they exercised and yet nothing seemed to help and if they did actually lose some weight, then only if they kept their diet for a longer period of time and did a lot more exercise than the average person. This has now been seen over and over again and thus is considered to be a scientific fact.
Can we all now just blame our genes and have a great excuse for staying obese?
Now that scientists have proven that there is in fact a link between genetics and weight loss, many people find that their excuse is now justified. Although many people do have bad genetic combinations that program their bodies to retain fats no matter what, others do not necessarily have this and yet claim that they do. The only way of knowing whether or not you are genetically disadvantaged is to have a professional company make a map of your DNA. In some cases, it is not genetics, but a sedentary and unhealthy lifestyle that is responsible for entire families being obese. Without proof, there is no need to just resign to a life of obesity and any time spent cooking healthy feeds, eating right and exercising is time well spent. Even if the results are not immediately seen, the long term results will be well worth the while.
Even if someone is susceptible to fat or water retention or even being heavy boned, that is no legitimate reason to just stop trying to achieve a healthy lifestyle and normal weight. The scientists have proven that genetics and weight loss are linked to one another, but they also proved that it was not impossible and that at some point or other that the genetically obese test group participants also did lose weight. It just took more effort and time than it did for the average person. Even if the weight loss does not happen as fast as one wants, or even at all, dieting and exercise will still have positive benefits. Purchasing and preparing healthy foods will for yourself or even for your entire family will have many positive effects on your overall well being and health. A healthy way of cooking can lower cholesterol, reduce the risks for heart disease, provide you with valuable energy to keep busy with and your body and cells will have all the nutrients that they need to be as productive and long lasting as possible. Even if the dress size is not what you would like to have, the fact that you are not clogging your arteries, killing your heart and setting yourself up for a stroke should be enough good reasons to still maintain a healthy, nutritious diet. If you have a family, this is good for them too and just as necessary that they adapt a healthy lifestyle, after all, just because one person has a gene making them fat that does not automatically mean that the children have inherited this trait.
It is good that scientists have officially linked genetics and weight loss since that gives many a piece of mind and proves that it was not necessarily their fault for their size. However, it does not give a right to just always claim genetics are the problem and even if they are, eating and cooking healthy is still good for you and will counteract to some bit the negative aspects of being obese.
