Temptation genes found

Tuesday December 16th, 2008

Six new genes for obesity may be linked to "temptation", British experts have said.

Details of six new genes were revealed at the weekend in the journal Nature Genetics.

Researchers said the genes may mean that some people are "simply hard-wired to overeat". They said five of the genes are linked to the brain - helping to reinforce the theory.

But the British Heart Foundation said the discovery did not explain the current "epidemic" of obesity.

Professor Peter Weissberg, medical director of the BHF, said: "This research adds to the growing body of evidence that some people are more at risk of becoming obese because of their genes - many of which seem to be associated with appetite and the ability to regulate food intake correctly.

"However, this cannot be the explanation for the current epidemic of obesity since these genes have been present for centuries and the obesity epidemic is a relatively new phenomenon.

"It suggests that some people may be less able than others to resist the temptation to overeat because of their genetic background and it might start to explain why some people have no problem keeping their weight down whilst others struggle."

Researcher Goncalo Abecasis, of the University of Michigan, USA, said the findings might help with the development of anti-obesity drugs.

He said: "If you just want to think about how you react to these people who are obese, they can just be wired differently, so you have to be respectful of that.

"It's different if you know that overeating is about biology, and it takes a major effort to overcome that biology. Clearly, this suggests that some aspects of eating behaviour may be something you're born with."

Nature Genetics on-line December 14 2008

Tags: Fitness | Genetics | North America | Nutrition & Healthy Eating | UK News

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