Genetics-- is that why you're overweight?

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.

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

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.

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

Watched Weight of the Nation on HBO last night.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.