"Lean genes": why some people are thin and others gain weight by eating in the same way – BBC News

A group of scientists from the University of Cambridge claims to have discovered the secret of the leanness of some people while others gain weight very easily.

Their work reveals the existence of newly discovered genetic regions, namely linked to thinness.

The international team says their findings support the idea that for some people is thin, it's more about inheriting a "lucky" gene set than dieting or a perfect lifestyle.

The study was published in the open access scientific journal PLOS Genetics.

In recent decades, several researchers have discovered hundreds of genetic modifications that a person may be overweight.

However, much less attention has been paid to studying the genes of thin people.

In the UK, scientists used DNA samples of 1600 healthy and thin people, whose body mbad index (BMI) was less than 18.

They have compared these samples with those of 2,000 people with severe obesity and 10,400 people. people of normal weight

. They also used and badyzed lifestyle questionnaires to rule out, for example, the existence

The researchers found that obese people were more likely to have a set of genes related to overweight.

At the same time, thin people had not only fewer related genes. with obesity, but also had changes in the genetic regions recently badociated with healthy thinning.

Less Harm

Professor Sadaf Farooqi, of Cambridge University, Chief Student, asked people to be less prejudiced about the weight of others.

"This study shows for the first time that thin and healthy people are generally lean because of a lower burden of genes that increases the risk of overweight and not because they are morally superior as some people suggest, "he said.

"It's easy to rush to judge and criticize people for weight, but science shows that things are much more complex."

"We have much less control over our weight than we would like to believe."

Scientists say the next step is to identify the exact genes.

Their longer-term goal is to see if this new knowledge can help develop new strategies for weight loss.

"Genetically Different"

Tom Sanders, Emeritus Professor of Nutrition and Dietetics at King's College London, said about the research: "It's all about 39, an important and well-conducted study that confirms that severe early obesity is often genetically determined. "

He added that she "also convincingly shows those who are very thin are genetically different from the general population."

However, he states: "The majority of obesity is acquired in adulthood and is related to the obesogenic environment in which we live: a sedentary lifestyle and abundant access to high-calorie foods . "

Professor Tim Spector, also of King's College London noted that despite this, about a third of the inhabitants of most countries had managed to stay slim.

"Part of this is due to genes, but other factors, such as individual differences in intestinal or lifestyle-related microbes are probably also responsible for this", he declared.

Health experts point out that no matter how big your body or your genetic makeup, the old advice to follow A good diet and a good amount of physical exercise are always the best thing to do.