Fat people can’t help being overweight ‘because of their genes’ which affect ability to burn fat, study claims
A huge British study into the link between our weight and genes has found that people have far less control over their weight than they may wish to believe
SLIM people can thank their genes for being thin — while fatties can’t help being overweight — a huge British study has found.
The scientists say that genetic variations are responsible when it comes to who has a low appetite and the ability to burn fat quickly.
Research leader Prof Sadaf Farooqi explained: “We have far less control over our weight than we might wish to think. This research shows for the first time that healthy thin people are generally thin because they have a lower burden of genes that increase a person’s chances of being overweight.
“They are not thin because they are morally superior, as some like to suggest.”
Her team at Cambridge University analysed the DNA and lifestyle of 1,622 people who were healthy but underweight, 10443 people of a normal weight and 1,985 who were severely obese.
The scientists identified around 120 genetic variations linked to weight. They account for a fifth of a person’s bulk.
Genes are known to affect a person’s chances of being obese but it is the first time genetic variations have been linked to being slim too.
Prof Sadaf Farooqi said: “It’s easy to rush to judgement and criticise people for their weight but the science shows that things are far more complex.”
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The findings are published in the journal PLOS Genetics.
Earlier this month, Health Secretary Matt Hancock insisted overweight people should shoulder the blame for being fat.
Unveiling new exercise classes for heavies, he said: “Each of us must take responsibility for our own health. Calling obesity a disease risks sending out the wrong message.”
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