Our genes affect different aspects of human physiology, including obesity. However, we have little information about the specific genes responsible for chronic weight gain or obesity. Studies revealed that complex interactions among multiple genes and various environmental factors can contribute to weight gain. Thus, doctors recommend the Nutrigenomix test to study how your unique genetic makeup influences your body’s response to the food you consume. It will allow them to develop customized weight loss solutions involving proper nutrition and exercise strategies.
Balance of calories
Simply put, your weight depends on the balance between calories earned and burned. It further varies according to your genetic makeup, level of physical activities, and the calories your body burns while at rest. Individuals who successfully burn all the calories earned can manage a healthy weight. However, if your calorie earn is more than calorie burn, it can lead to chronic weight gain.
How much of your weight is due to genes?
For some individuals, genes can play a less significant role and be responsible for 25% of their body weight. On the other hand, it can be as high as 80% for some individuals. If you experience the following conditions, it can imply that your genes are primarily responsible for obesity.
- You have been overweight for the majority of your life
- Either or both of your parents are overweight
- Despite your attempt at losing weight, such as consuming a low-calorie diet and increased physical activity, you have difficulty losing weight.
However, if you experience the following, it might imply that your genes play a comparatively less significant role in your weight gain.
- You can lose weight following a healthy diet and exercise program
- You regain lost weight when changing your eating or exercise habits
How do genes cause obesity?
Obesity is a health issue that can affect any individual. As body-fat distribution varies among individuals, some might carry more weight than others. Various studies suggest that the variation in the susceptibility to obesity results from many genes instead of a single one.
Genes affect the body’s response to changes in the environment. Studies of similarities and differences among various family members, twins, etc., revealed indirect scientific proof that a significant portion of weight variation among adults is due to genes. Different studies have compared obese and non-obese individuals to identify variations in genes that can affect behaviours, such as the tendency to overeat or live a sedentary life, reduced metabolism, etc. These studies found variants in genes that may increase hunger and food consumption, leading to obesity.
Role of genes on appetite
Studies revealed possible links between specific genes and appetite. For instance, a UCLA College of Medicine study found that people who tend to consume a lot of carbohydrate-rich food share similar genetic markers with individuals chemically dependent on alcohol. Further, a study of sweet sensitivity showed a possible connection between a genetic variation and a likelihood of having taste receptors sensitive to sweetness.
Some genetic syndromes, such as Prader-Willi, may cause excessive appetite and overeating, leading to severe weight gain. This rare condition also shows a possible connection between genetics and appetite.
Despite evidence suggesting your genes might affect your appetite or hunger, other studies suggest that your lifestyle choices might play a more significant role than your genes in your eating habits. Your DNA changes with aging, and some parts of your DNA blueprint can evolve in response to your environment, emotions, food you consume, etc. The science behind this evolution theory is called epigenetics. Experts believe any changes in your lifestyle choices and attitude can change your epigenetic code. This field of science is very new, and more studies are being conducted as to whether people can use nutrition to alter their genes. However no one can deny that genes are responsible for weight gain; however, in many cases, lifestyle and environment can play a more significant role. Performing genetic testing can help reveal how much your genes contribute to your weight gain, which further will aid in developing customized weight loss solutions.
Role of genes on metabolism
You might have seen people who, despite consuming plenty of calorie-rich food, don’t gain weight. Similarly, you may have seen people who gain weight quickly despite consuming little food. The possible reason is your metabolic rate, which varies among individuals. Fast metabolism causes your body to process food and burn calories faster. On the other hand, a slow metabolic rate can slow down the calorie-burning process, causing you to gain weight.
Your genes might contribute to how fast or slow your metabolic rate is. Your Basal Metabolic Rate, or BMR, is the amount of calories your body burns while resting. Besides genes, muscle mass can also be responsible for determining your BMR.
How Modest Medix Can Help?
People with a strong genetic disposition to obesity might not be able to lose weight with only diet and exercise therapy. Even if they succeed in losing weight, they will likely have difficulty maintaining the results. Hence, they need medical-supervised weight loss programs in Ontario, Canada, to achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
In this regard, doctors, dietitians, and health coaches at Modest Medix can help. They will help perform genetic testing to identify how significant the role genes play in your chronic weight gain. They will also determine the challenges you face in keeping your weight off. Accordingly, they will offer medical nutrition therapy, behavioural therapy, and consistent one-on-one support to help you achieve a healthy weight and manage the same.
