Obesity Study on Genetic Effect

Lots of people suffering from obesity claim that it’s “in their genes” to remain heavy. For those people who poke fun at the more rotund among us, watch out – a new study adds some veracity to the genetic link to becoming obese.

As reported by Health Day on Yahoo News, researchers have conducted a new animal study testing the possibility of an obesity gene. Their results have shown that there is a genetic mutation that could put people at a higher risk.

This risk involves becoming obese through eating a high-fat diet. Currently, there is no easy way to find out if one has this genetic mutation. Doctors could test each patient for the mutation. If the patient shows the mutation result, the doctor could recommend a different diet.

As the study’s co-author Dr. Gozoh Tsujimoto mentioned in the Health Day report, this newfound awareness could help people at-risk for obesity by taking drugs to help suppress unhealthy weight gain.

There are many obese individuals throughout the world. Studies have shown that diet plays a large part in obesity. Dr. Sy Schlager is familiar with obesity and advises patients on the risks the disease poses. As a blog post describes Schlager, “he is an educated professional” who works toward educating patients and professionals about various health issues.

One of the major issues in this country, as Schlager reiterates, is obesity.

Decreasing people’s chances of becoming overweight or obese will clearly benefit them health-wise. Overweight or obese individuals have a greater chance of developing diseases. Heart disease and types of cancer are two examples.

When researchers studied the effects in mice, they observed a component that regulated the appetite and production of fat cells. The mice that did not have this component were ten percent fatter when fed an all-fat diet.

The researchers are wary of these results, however, because animal studies do not always translate into human results. With that being said, researchers tested Europeans for the genetic mutation. They found that the people with the mutation were more likely to be obese.

As the Health Day report continued, “According to Tsujimoto, more than 3 percent of Europeans have the trait. The next step for researchers is to study its prevalence in Japanese, Korean and Chinese people.”

Physicians who observe patients with the genetic trait can advise them to eat a low fat diet. There are currently no medications available for people found with the genetic mutation.

Doctors are hopeful that one will be developed soon. The study will continue for many more years until there is a proven link between the gene and obesity. Once doctors understand the biological information, a drug can be developed.

Those who have been advised by physicians to change their diet should do so. There are many health risks that can develop due to being overweight or obese. Doctors are hopeful that more research will be performed in order to help their overweight patients. This development could change healthcare to a more personal field.