Exercise may be a remedy for ‘fat’ genes, at least for Americans
People who blame their genes for weight problems are probably justified in doing so, to some extent. Numerous studies presented this week at the annual Obesity Society meeting in San Diego indicate a number of genes that may increase an individual’s susceptibility to becoming overweight. But for at least one gene mutation, physical activity may be a good defense.
Researchers at Cambridge analyzed published and unpublished data from 45 studies examining the effect of exercise on people carrying the FTO gene mutation. The FTO gene, discovered in 2007, was the first gene linked to obesity. Collectively, the studies encompassed 208,264 adults in North America and Europe. The researchers found that among people with the FTO gene, having a sedentary lifestyle accounted for a 30% higher risk of obesity compared with similar people with the gene who did exercise regularly. However, the effect was more pronounced among North Americans compared with Europeans, according to a co-author of the study, Thomas O. Kilpelainen.
Understanding how genes, environment and behavior intersect to cause obesity will be crucial to understanding why so many people are overweight or obese, said Penny Gordon-Larsen of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. For example, she said, data show that, among married couples, if one spouse is overweight or obese the other partner is at higher risk of being overweight or obese than the average person. However, this weight influence doesn’t seem to extend to couples who are dating or cohabiting.
Another example, Gordon-Larsen said, is from a study of environments. Researchers examined the characteristics of neighborhoods, such as socioeconomic factors and the prevalence of parks, pollution and crime. Not surprisingly, people in wealthier communities had more fee-based physical activity services, such as for-profit gyms and country clubs. But even regarding public services, such as public parks, YMCAs, youth organizations and schools, poorer neighborhoods had far fewer resources. Some people, however, find a way to stay in shape despite the lack of community support, she noted. One study showed heavier women in poorer neighborhoods who walked four hours a week had weight gains that were 17 pounds less than their sedentary counterparts, on average, over a 15-year period. “Walking was their only choice of activity but that they did benefit,” Gordon-Larson said.
Weight-loss surgery typically cures diabetes. But what if you surgically remove belly fat too? Removing the fat lining the walls of the abdomen, called an omentectomy, does not affect diabetes symptoms, according to research reported Monday.
A study looking for the optimal exercise approach for people with Type 2 diabetes found that a combination of aerobic exercise and resistance training works best. People who did both showed better fitness levels than people who did either one or the other type of exercise.
-- Shari Roan / Los Angeles Times
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