Genetics-- is that why you're overweight?

NavyKnightAh13

People are big in my family (except for my aunt, and one of my cousins). I mean they are over 300lbs. But, genetics don't make u shove bad food into your mouth. End of story. I wasn't so blessed as far as body (I have always been overweight, hell, when i went to college i was 214. Sadly its all around my tummy) but i'm working on improving health and changing a lifestyle. Now granted, i do have asthma related to genetics that will turn into copd, and will probably have heart attacks because of my genetics, but i am going to do what i can to be as healthy as possible.

sarahkittymeow

The way your body is built and the way you carry excess weight: yes, genetics. My sister has a medium frame and carries all of her weight in her stomach area, so when she gains a few lbs due to poor eating habits/not exercising, that's where it shows up, just like my mother, her mother, and her mother...

I was blessed with the body frame of the women on my dad's side: very proportionate, small framed women who gain weight extremely evenly. I can weigh 15lbs more than my sister (and she's 4 inches taller than I am) and appear to be the same clothing size.

The actual physical gaining of the weight, however, is due to what you're putting in your mouth and how much or how little you're moving around. Now, if your family has always had poor eating habits and you gained weight just like the rest of them (or they had healthy eating habits and you remained in good shape like the rest of them) then it's not just your genes, it's the poor (or great) eating habits you learned from your family.

^ Perfect example. Genetics determine many factors such as body size, frame, shape, where you put your pounds on and how quickly (metabolism). However diet and exercise determines how fat you are, frankly. Metabolism is the only genetic thing that can be even slightly affected by personal choice. So, if you're 5 foot even and pear shaped, don't expect to look like Paris Hilton if you diet and exercise for a year because it will never happen. Then again, if you are naturally big boned and have a harder time forming muscle than others, which are both genetic factors, you can still look like a damn fitness model if you put in the effort. No excuses! (Well, unless you have a health condition)

rextcat

yeah my dna is part of it, but just part

sarahkittymeow

Genetics = a lot of bad habits passed down from generation to generation.

Yes, because mice living in a carefully controlled lab have bad habits that they learned from their mother, who also spent her entire life living in a carefully controlled environment.

I agree, the genetics statement was just silly.
Bad habits = bad habits.
Genetics = genetics.
They are not synonymous lol

Dagoth

Obesity is 90% to blame on the person who is obese.

bcattoes

Watched Weight of the Nation on HBO last night. Had some interesting facts if you can make it past all the drama. According to the show, genetics are accountable for 60-70% of the factors that contribute to body weight.

Do you agree with this estimation? Do you think you were born to be a healthy weight, overweight, or obese? If not, what has led you to believe otherwise?

I didn't see the show, but I think it's been known for some time that genetics play a roll in weight control. But only in very rare and extreme cases does it control whether you can gain or lose. It simply makes it more or less difficult to varying degress.

jadedone

I think there is quite a lot of genetics. For example, women on my dad's side tend to be larger and "solid" many of them sticking around size 16-18 for most of their lives. On the same token, those same relatives are aging up to 90+. I have quite a few 100+ plus relatives on my dad's side.

On my mom's side, people were slimmer and gained as they aged. Many people also have bad habits (lifelong smokers or tobacco users). The life expectancy seems to have a greater range here. My grandmother passed away at 83.. she had 2 strokes, high blood pressure, and diabetes. My great aunt (her sister) has had less health problems and was always pretty thin. She is over 95, but I have no clue how old she is and no one else seems to know either. My great uncle is 90+ as well.

I think we try to blame a lot on weight, and we don't spend any time looking at food quality and lifestyle. There is no one to one ratio between weight and healthy habits. On my dad's side, people live in a really rural area. Everyone has a garden. The grocery store is pretty far. As a kid my dad had chickens. My mom also grew up in a rural area. As people got wealthier, they ate more processed foods, but growing up my mom's family had a garden, there was a dairy and wheat mill down the road, and her family raised pigs and cured their own meat. Only a few people drove, so people walked around the neighborhood to "visit," walked to church and walked to the corner store. I personally think these habits contributed more to longevity than any number on the scale does.

Genetics contribute to weight storage, body frame, and predisposition to diseases. Healthy habits are what keeps the chronic conditions away. Even if you never get to a "healthy" weight.

_Bob_

I disagree because it is still my actions that caused it. had I eaten right and gotten sufficient exercise genetically I would be built like a tank, a solid one though not the flabby one I am in the process of getting rid of.

Contrarian

I'm adopted, but I am still going to guess, no.

jacksamjack

No-one was born to be over-weight. It is the nature vs nurture - with nurture losing. Sorry - but that is the truth!

sarahkittymeow

Gene probably play at least a partial role..in that they will dictate how our body stores fat and what not... but I wonder if its actually genes causing obesity... or learned behaviors (over eating, not exercising). I find that to be the bigger contributing factor... barring a medical condition.. it's your habits that are going to make you gain weight... your genes are just going to dictate how quickly it happens and where it goes

^^^This^^^

I would add the possibility that all the processed, pre-made foods in today's diet contribute as well...there is sooo much more crap added to our food than when my parents were younger....

Oh, absolutely the processed foods problem is a huge issue that people like to look over, but it's important. It's out of control for the most part in western society so we sometimes have to learn to deal or live around it...but fun fact: the US and Canada are the only places now which do not even label processed foods whereas many other countries have already BANNED them altogether. When you eat "clean" and go to the grocery store, the vegetables and meats you buy...have been genetically altered. I mean, that is not the sole reason for the obesity epidemic in America, but it contributes, even to other issues. TMI, but this is why girls in the past few generations are starting to get their periods around 8-10. Meanwhile, we have found ways to extend the human life, but are adapting badly because of these other components. When a species finds a way to extend the life span, they are not supposed to age more quickly...if this occurrence were based on us being healthier and having available cures for diseases and ailments, we would actually be aging more slowly to adapt. It's unnatural.

abhiforlife

I had a gene test done a couple of years ago which gave me risk factors for 2 dozen different diseases. I am apparently high risk for obesity (duh!) and 60% of it is genetics, 40% environmental.

This was not totally surprising given my family history. My dad has always been active, plays tennis 5 days a week even at 65, but he's always been 5-10% above the healthy weight range for his height (sometimes even more, but he's always managed to cut down). Many other people in my family are above healthy weight ranges, but many are also not.

My takeaway was that 40% is still in my hands. I will probably never be skinny or an athlete, but I can hover around in the upper quarter of a healthy weight range (2.5 kg to go to get there!!).

schalka

I definately think its genetics but doesnt mean u cant fight it most of my family is very large especially on my fathers side =huge boobs, skinny chicken legs, huge bellys and cheeks lol moms side= round squishy mid sections also bug o butts hahaaha i got native american flat bootie, big boobies and when i gain weight its always only mid section and face. :laugh: But im trying my best to not have the shapes of most the rest of my family members. So far im down 38lbs and when some of my family saw me they said i was getting too skinny :huh: im 5'7 and 193 so i still got a long wayyy to "skinny" but as long as i keep fighting these genetics, ill get there eventually

LaMujerMasBonitaDelMundo

The way your body is built and the way you carry excess weight: yes, genetics. My sister has a medium frame and carries all of her weight in her stomach area, so when she gains a few lbs due to poor eating habits/not exercising, that's where it shows up, just like my mother, her mother, and her mother...

Agreed. You may have chunky thighs or a big butt because of genetics, but you are not obese because of genetics. You're obese because you have poor eating and exercise habits.

This is just what we needed ... another excuse for people to stay unhealthy.

This... Being a mesomorph I can attest to that. Yep I discovered that I have the "ideal" genetics when I was assessed in a gym for the first time however I didn't had the ideal body simply because I neglected my diet & exercise. My family have Hispanic (Mexican & Spanish to be exact) & Asian (Filipino) background however I got most of my genes including my medium framed, bottom heavy body from my Hispanic side of family which is why no matter what I do, I would never look like a fashion model or a lot of Asian actresses simply because my body doesn't allow it. However that isn't the reason why I became obese. I became big because of my sedentary lifestyle & poor diet.

carolann_22

I have PCOS, which is why I both gained and have been unable to lose weight until getting my diagnosis, even in a calorie deficit. I needed totally change HOW I ate. I think PCOS can be genetic, so yes, genetics has contributed.

supermom2002

What's that saying? "if you want to know how your wife/girl is going to look when when shes older just look at her mother"

I agree with some of the previous statements--genetics may have an influence on body type and where you store the extra fat. But it wasn't my mother force feeding me Big Macs...that was me. All me. And when my fat *kitten* started to look like my mothers I decided enough was enough!! No more.

Fortunately for my daughter she looks NOTHING like me or my side of the family--so maybe I might get to meet her future boyfriends.

Aloxander

The way your body is built and the way you carry excess weight: yes, genetics. My sister has a medium frame and carries all of her weight in her stomach area, so when she gains a few lbs due to poor eating habits/not exercising, that's where it shows up, just like my mother, her mother, and her mother...

I was blessed with the body frame of the women on my dad's side: very proportionate, small framed women who gain weight extremely evenly. I can weigh 15lbs more than my sister (and she's 4 inches taller than I am) and appear to be the same clothing size.

The actual physical gaining of the weight, however, is due to what you're putting in your mouth and how much or how little you're moving around. Now, if your family has always had poor eating habits and you gained weight just like the rest of them (or they had healthy eating habits and you remained in good shape like the rest of them) then it's not just your genes, it's the poor (or great) eating habits you learned from your family.

I agree to every single word you say! This is so true

danifo0811

I think genetics can make you have to work harder. I think family influence is what affects your eating and habits.

I don't believe in genetics or medical reasons until someone has tried eating healthy and frequent exercise for a month. At that point they should seek medical help rather than wait to gain another 100 lbs.

GasMasterFlash

Watched Weight of the Nation on HBO last night.

Ah, the White House propaganda series? Yeah...

Gergal73

Genetics do play a part for some folks. I am a Type 1 Diabetic and was diagnosed with the disease at 2 years old. Because of the hormones (insulin) I have had to take for the past 36 years to control the disease, it has caused extra weight and has made it extremely difficult to lose. Also, genetically speaking, my thyroid is shot and does not work anymore. Therefore, I have an extrememly low metabolism without medication. Adjusting both genetic problems is very tricky. I very, very rarely eat sugar and have always been on an extremely low carbohydrate intake due to the diseases. I have to work hard to lose and I'm doing so, but it comes at great cost. People who think that the only reason one becomes overweight is because they pig out on fast food and sugar aren't always correct.. There are a whole host of other reasons, including genetics that can lead to weight gain. Cheers all!

manda1002

I believe that genetics can play a small role. But I also believe some of it is because typically both parents work outside the home now, and 9-5 isn't the typical shift. Growing up, my dad worked until 4 and my mom worked the night shift. On the nights she was home we'd have a great, healthy home cooked meal. But the nights dad was home, if it was home made, it was processed, but it was typically take out. After a few years of that, that's all you get to know. So when you go out in the real world on your own, what are you going to know? I'm 29 years old and STILL trying to fight that instinct, which was learned from my father. And the way he grew up, his mom was a SAHM who had all their meals ready for them when they got home from school/work.

I could be way off, but that's my take on it.

katismiles

I believe genetics plays a part of being overweight (metabolism speed and bone structure)... I'm a larger bone range with a slower metabolisim, so is my mom and grandma. Mom got obese, my grandma counted calories and stayed skinny. I got chubby due to what I ate and it was usually the same ammount as my tiny friends.
Lifestyle plays a HUGE role in weight. I've read articles online where most of them say lifestyle plays the largest role in weight and I agree.

scaredofcoasters

I have very dense bones and a wide frame, but I know that I can lose the weight, because I've seen it happening. Certainly if something runs in your family such as thyroid issues or low metabolism, you can gain weight easier than others. But much like every other condition that affects your food intake, you just have to control it.

_Ben

While I am no longer overweight/obese, I know that genetics do play a factor. If you compare what I eat, to what my oldest step brother eats, and the amount of exercise we both do, you can see that his genetics are designed to help him gain muscle and lose weight fast. He is also very tall, where I am more on the average end. That being said, I believe the number one factors are diet and exercise. I come from a very heavy family, and now I have slimmed down, got in shape, all thanks to watching my diet and exercise

christine24t

Both of my parents are overweight/obese now. But they used to both be thin, and my mom was really thin when she was my age. So no, a lot of mine is learned. I have had trouble losing weight around my stomach area, and I don't know what's up with that, but no, for me, it's not genetics.

lickmybaconcakes

Nope the reason is the body is creating a surplus of matierals (typically fat) because you're eating too much.

Elizabeth_C34

I think some people are predisposed to being a larger size (not necessarily overweight or obese, but carry more body fat or muscle than others). Generally speaking though, if you don't take it in more than your body uses, you can't put on fat.

I like knowing that I'm not "destined" to be fat and that this is really all under my own control.

nwhitley

The way your body is built and the way you carry excess weight: yes, genetics. My sister has a medium frame and carries all of her weight in her stomach area, so when she gains a few lbs due to poor eating habits/not exercising, that's where it shows up, just like my mother, her mother, and her mother...

Agreed. You may have chunky thighs or a big butt because of genetics, but you are not obese because of genetics. You're obese because you have poor eating and exercise habits.

This is just what we needed ... another excuse for people to stay unhealthy.

Agreed!