Weight is really just genetic

hml1976

If I remember correctly from university biology, genetics are a predisposition but not necessarily destiny. So you may be genetically predisposed to heart disease or cancer, but it doesn't mean you have to develop them. It just means it is worthwhile taking extra steps to avoid them.

Genetics are just one of many factors affecting health. Our choices still matter.

Yes. If genetics were all that mattered the obesity rate would stay the same, not increase over time. Unless of course only obese people are having children? My whole family is overweight, but I'm not anymore.

bushidowoman

Every single member of my family, including extended family, is overweight or obese. But it's not genetic, we all over eat and don't exercise. Whatever part genetics does play in weight, I believe can be corrected through diet and exercise.

It's like when my Mom says we have a history of heart disease in our family, we don't actually - we just have a family history of smoking, drinking whiskey and pouring gravy on everything.

This. When I was eating the same and when I was as sedentary as everyone else in my family, I was overweight like they are.
When I started eating healthy foods and getting moderate exercise, my weight dropped down to the healthy range.
Go figure.

BACONJOKESRSOFUNNY

I middle school, I knew identical triplets... it was interesting because one was skinny, another average, and the third was quite chubby.

I knew identical triplets too. One built a house made of straw, another of sticks and one of bricks.

Were they fat?

Yes, actually. Rather piggish.

gypsyrose85

no its actually almost entirely environment.

I do think genetics have a PART in it. I was given up for adoption at birth. My parents (the ones who raised me) were thin and so was my brother (their bio son). I was always more on the heavy side. I ate like them and was VERY active (I was doing martial arts and soccer at the same time. When I was doing that I was 170 pounds! I am only 5/4) My Biological family come to find out are obese or overweight. I was always on the heavier side (though since having kids it has gotten much worse). I didn't know my bio family until I was 22 years old. My Bio mother is 230 at 5/6, my father at 5/9 is over 500 pounds O_O. So I do think genetics do play a part but I don't think it is all of it.

Sincere24

i remember actually seeing a documentary on this on twins and weight. But with all test cases, there are often many things that go untested... like eating patterns, ones relationship with food, emotional triggers if any the list goes on in regards to how such variables affects weight, particularly if twins can often share similar personality traits ( not alwys but can)

IronPlayground

People are fat because of sedentary lifestyles and overconsumption of calories. There are a few that have medical conditions where losing weight is very difficult. It's so easy to point fingers at what factors may be causing you to be overweight instead of looking in the mirror at the number one cause.

BACONJOKESRSOFUNNY

Remember these guys from the old Guinness books?

EvgeniZyntx

Is true. If your parents didn't weigh anything changes are you won't weigh anything either.

MinnieInMaine

I used to think the same thing when I was obese (for nearly half of my 38 years) and boy was it a great way to excuse myself from doing something about my health and fitness! Obviously a little mindfulness and some small changes can do wonders... I still eat what I like most of the time, avoid the treats that aren't really worth it, watch my portions, eat healthier and move more. It's not that hard to change things up. You have to want it and be willing to put a little work in instead of sitting around and whining.

There are some obese people in my family but I know if they put a little effort in they could have the same success...it's not a death sentence unless you let it be.

gypsyrose85

I used to think the same thing when I was obese (for nearly half of my 38 years) and boy was it a great way to excuse myself from doing something about my health and fitness! Obviously a little mindfulness and some small changes can do wonders... I still eat what I like most of the time, avoid the treats that aren't really worth it, watch my portions, eat healthier and move more. It's not that hard to change things up. You have to want it and be willing to put a little work in instead of sitting around and whining.

There are some obese people in my family but I know if they put a little effort in they could have the same success...it's not a death sentence unless you let it be.

I just wanted to say congrats on being so close to your goal! GOOD JOB! how long did it take if you don't mind me asking?

greenmeena

Hahaha!! So when someone starts a thread like this just to stir the pot, is it called a troll thread? Shouldn't this be in the Humor section of the message boards?

So amusing!

My neighbor's cat must have had fat cat parents, too. She looks like a loaf of bread with paws.

yoovie

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooh someone is really really excited that they found a NEW SHINY REASON TO NOT TRY AT ALL!!!!


APPLAUSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

hows this working for ya? happy yet?

trink68

Genetic my ___ My parents are both slender people.How did I balloon to 300lbs at one point? Its what you put in your mouth and how long you sit your behind on the couch playing PS3!

f1ctional

Yea, I don't think so. I am the only fat *kitten* on both sides of the family tree.

Its my own fault and I am trying to fix it. The end.

awesomek001

no its actually almost entirely environment.

I do think genetics have a PART in it.. . . So I do think genetics do play a part but I don't think it is all of it.

Agree - - your bone structure is genetic but not much else. However, you do learn your eating and exercise habits from your environment. Having been "big boned" all my life (my most excellent cop-out!), I know that my weight has very little to do with my family (most of whom are obese) and every thing to do with the fact that I didn't want to exercise or eat proper portions.
I've lost 90 lbs and although I will never make it to an ideal BMI or a size 00, I am able to change the habits which my environment taught me over the years.

lauriem1966

If its genetic then why I am the ONLY overweight person in my family? No one on my dad's side or mum's side is overweight....all slender.

I'd say my binge eating got me to where I am...not genetics. I take full responsibility.

Jbarbo01

Is trolling genetic?

lesita75

I'm a special snowflake so the whole "genetics" thing doesn't apply to me.

ILoveTheBrowns

i bet youre lazy

Troll

If its genetic, i should be morbidly obese with diabetes, heart disease, thyroid issues, and arthritus.

Instead....im 16% bodyfat, hypoglycemic, and can run an eight minute mile.

im not buying it.

yoovie

my mom is a 6'2 former competitive gymnast with no tits or butt or anything, and a size 8
my dad is a 6'5 grizzly bear and former baseball pitcher with the longest strongest legs Ive ever seen.

I'm 5'10/5'11ish got no *kitten* and super muscular legs and an ecto-meso boytype.

that's as far as genetics touched me.

Now Im enjoying seeing what MY body can look like and how MY body can perform.

I dont give two shts about other peoples look alike children WTF seriously does this have to do with you. Are you a twin raised by non-relatives?

Or are you just not feeling like putting in any effort because A) you dont think you can do it or you think you can but dont deserve it or C) you know you can but you are worried that if you succeed, you wont be able to keep it up?

ObtainingBalance

Hmmm.. I guess with the rise in population .. all the fat people of the world are mating and creating/multiplying all the fat people in the world. Does this mean the skinny people are on the endangered species list?

LOL!

andreanicole686

If weight is just genetic, why do so many people on this site lose weight by changing their habits? You can be genetically predisposed to be more overweight than someone else, but it doesn't mean you have no chance of correcting it.

Exactly. But I think it often has to do with fat parents showing their kids their bad eating habits then you get fat kids or healthy parents showing their kids healthy eating habits etc. I think this is just a lame excuse to be lazy.

gypsyrose85

no its actually almost entirely environment.

I do think genetics have a PART in it.. . . So I do think genetics do play a part but I don't think it is all of it.

Agree - - your bone structure is genetic but not much else. However, you do learn your eating and exercise habits from your environment. Having been "big boned" all my life (my most excellent cop-out!), I know that my weight has very little to do with my family (most of whom are obese) and every thing to do with the fact that I didn't want to exercise or eat proper portions.
I've lost 90 lbs and although I will never make it to an ideal BMI or a size 00, I am able to change the habits which my environment taught me over the years.

Well like I said for me I was VERY active as a teen and ate right (all three thin members of my adoptive family ate right and I ate like them) Yet I was always much larger than they are. Though I also know I have a genetic illness (nerofibromatosis type 1.) so I dont know what other issues I may have. (I was also born with extra and missing organs)

ceannesjourney

Hate to say this but the OP is "kinda" correct. Genetics DOES play a very LARGE part in our size and shape. Just as genetics determines our eye color, hair color, etc. But...environment also plays a significant role as well. I'm currently in a study group which is working on this exact question (genetics vs. environment and weight). The reality so far is that we CAN lose weight, but for most of us, some god-awful number like 95% will gain it back over the next several years--and possibly more. That is to say that not ALL people will gain it back. The other things that studies show is that the SLOWER you lose weight--like .5 lb or less a week is the best way to keep weight off. Our bodies will naturally try to fight a reduction in weight because it believes that any attempt to eat less is starving it (think caveman days) so will try to hold onto the weight.

However, morbid obesity is again partially genetics, but more environment, possibly some mental dis-ease that causes overeating. Like an addiction. But there are people who eat as much as a morbidly obese person who will NOT gain the same kind of weight due to their genetics.

For myself, I'm working on trying to be healthier and not worry so much about the number on the scale or the size of my jeans. This is VERY HARD however as society tells us repeatedly that if we are not thin we are worth "less" than thin. We are constantly bombarded by images of people who actually don't look like they really do due to computer reimaging. Plus, the models that are constantly shown wearing all of the "beautiful" clothes only represent 1% of the general public and yet that is who are idolized for their "beauty".

We need to be able to look at every single body and see the beauty in it--yes, even the morbidly obese. People who are obese are not lazy, stupid, or any other negative character trait attributed to them.

Okay, I really climbed on my soapbox there...

ceannesjourney

I middle school, I knew identical triplets... it was interesting because one was skinny, another average, and the third was quite chubby.

then they weren't identical...

mostein

I hate to let myself get dragged into these threads but I diasgree with this. My mother and aunt are twins and while they are both overweight my mom is significantly more overweight and has been for some time. As well, my maternal grandmother, all 4 of her children, and 5 of her 7 grandchildren are either overweight or have been overweight. The 2 that were never overweight are my sister and myself and we exercise regularly and try to eat healthy. My cousin that was overweight has started working out and eating better and dropped a ton of weight. As well, my overweight cousin and his overweight wife have 2 children that are not overweight. You can't control your genes but you can control your activity level and what you put into your mouth.

gypsyrose85

Hate to say this but the OP is "kinda" correct. Genetics DOES play a very LARGE part in our size and shape. Just as genetics determines our eye color, hair color, etc. But...environment also plays a significant role as well. I'm currently in a study group which is working on this exact question (genetics vs. environment and weight). The reality so far is that we CAN lose weight, but for most of us, some god-awful number like 95% will gain it back over the next several years--and possibly more. That is to say that not ALL people will gain it back. The other things that studies show is that the SLOWER you lose weight--like .5 lb or less a week is the best way to keep weight off. Our bodies will naturally try to fight a reduction in weight because it believes that any attempt to eat less is starving it (think caveman days) so will try to hold onto the weight.

However, morbid obesity is again partially genetics, but more environment, possibly some mental dis-ease that causes overeating. Like an addiction. But there are people who eat as much as a morbidly obese person who will NOT gain the same kind of weight due to their genetics.

For myself, I'm working on trying to be healthier and not worry so much about the number on the scale or the size of my jeans. This is VERY HARD however as society tells us repeatedly that if we are not thin we are worth "less" than thin. We are constantly bombarded by images of people who actually don't look like they really do due to computer reimaging. Plus, the models that are constantly shown wearing all of the "beautiful" clothes only represent 1% of the general public and yet that is who are idolized for their "beauty".

We need to be able to look at every single body and see the beauty in it--yes, even the morbidly obese. People who are obese are not lazy, stupid, or any other negative character trait attributed to them.

Okay, I really climbed on my soapbox there...

Wow I would love to do a study like that!

StaceyJ2008

Well if weight is entirely genetic how come I have never been thin yet my mother, father, sister, aunts and uncles, have pretty much always been within a healthy weight range.

Lets find something else to blame besides ourselves for being big.

AmberLee2012

I didn't grow up with my dad or his family so I am just starting to get to know his family now (he is deceased). A lot of his/my family members are morbidly obese. I love them dearly, but they could change if they wanted to. They are keeping it going by allowing their children to eat the same foods and so their children are now obese as well. If they would have said hey, I don't want this for my children, they could have prevented it with a different diet and adding exercise. It breaks my heart to see morbidly obese parents dragging along their morbidly obese children. STOP the cycle. You have the power and ability to do it. With all the illnesses and health problems obesity brings, why would you want that for yourself or your children?! I don't get it. OP your post is nothing but an excuse. If you want it bad enough, you have to make it happen.