A biologic mechanism for weight gain

Scientists at Oxford and the University of Exeter say that a variant of the FTO gene that is carried by 16 percent of white Europeans made them 70 percent more likely to be obese than those with an alternative variant. Everyone is born is with two copies of the FTO gene, but there are two variants that are inherited. The group at the highest risk was on average 3 kg heavier than the low-risk group, and they carried 15 percent more body weight rather than muscle. The discovery is likely to set off a rush of new projects to determine how to influence the FTO gene as a mechanism for controlling weight. Obesity is linked to significantly higher rates of type 2 diabetes, cardiac disease and cancer. Combining a biological mechanism that encourages weight gain in a society where people are more sedentary and have plenty to eat has led to epidemic rates of obesity.

- read the report on obesity research from The Times

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