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AIBU?

regarding high risk obesity gene

144 replies

ICBINEG · 16/07/2013 12:37

link

I think I have it.... this sounds so very like me....particularly the protein working better than anything else to reduce appetite.

So anyone else think they are in the 1:6 with a high risk obesity gene?

AIBU to think it really does help to know WHY it is harder for some people to lose / keep weight off than others?

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DialsMavis · 16/07/2013 12:42

Me too! Both protein and exercise significantly reduce my appetite Smile

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ICBINEG · 16/07/2013 12:43

exercise only briefy reduces mine but then it's back with a vengance sighs

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nenevomito · 16/07/2013 12:44

Protein and exercise significantly reduce most people's appetities.

I could say this applies to me. I'm overweight. Last year I was classed close to morbidly obese. I did a high protein calorie controlled diet and started cycling and lost weight.

The thing is that anyone who does a calorie controlled diet and takes up exercise will lose weight.

I think its more to do with lifestyle. The groups who were tested were both of normal weight. This means that despite this gene they were able to maintain a normal wait and weren't immediately overweight due to the gene.

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nenevomito · 16/07/2013 12:45

weight not wait, FFS.

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ICBINEG · 16/07/2013 12:46

baby erm yes...but in normal people eating also reduces appetite. Not so much with me...

That's the point I was making. only protein has any real impact on my appetite.

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DialsMavis · 16/07/2013 12:47

I'm not overweight (have been in the past but not now), could lose a few lbs and tone up which I am working on but my BMI is in the healthy range. But I have to work extremely hard and watch what I eat to keep it there.

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ICBINEG · 16/07/2013 12:47

Now I have a name for the enemy...ghrelin....it is pleasing similar to gremlin I think....

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nenevomito · 16/07/2013 12:51

How fast do you eat? That plays a part as well and clinical studies have shown that if you eat fast, your brain doesn't get the messages that you are full, so you eat more than necessary.

As 1 in 6 people have this gene, across the board, it can only be one contributing factor or 1 in 6 people would be obese. UK and US aren't really good benchmarks compared to the rest of the world.

You need a combination of...

  1. Poor diet.
  2. Lack of exercise.
  3. Eating more calories than required.


The gene may make the last of the three more likely, but its only one factor.
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aldiwhore · 16/07/2013 12:52

I certainly struggle with sugar cravings, I sometimes give in, then the weight piles on, but it's not just sugar cravings but all carbs.

They're always there.

I avoid bread, sugar, pasta (the wholemeal versions actually make me more bloated than anything) though will it starchy veg, and in 3 weeks have dropped 8lbs. I still crave sugar madly!

I think it's always been known by anyone with half a brain that everyone is different, genuinely different and weight control is harder for some than others. The huge extent of choice of food is mind boggling, which doesn't help!

A higher protein than carb diet seems to work for me very well, and though I LOATHE exercise for the sake of it I've built in vigorous 'useful' exercise into my daily life (carrying two watering cans to the veg patch - 5 trips it takes and I jog for example) and have to say I feel a million times better.

It is nice to have some actual evidence, to back up what I always knew, what would be really nice is understanding from others, oh and possibly a 'willpower' pill that would diminish my sugar cravings.

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ICBINEG · 16/07/2013 12:59

baby

two things:

  1. 1 in 4 adults are obese. That is more than 1 in 6. So it is possible (though not probable) that everyone with this gene is obese.


  1. you only need to eat more calories than you use to get fat. quality of food goes into calories in and exercise goes into calories going out. Only point 3 on your list is needed.
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ICBINEG · 16/07/2013 13:01

aldi see I think I bought into the "it's easy to lose weight - you must just be a bit shit" meme.

I should have known better...and now I really do!

willpower pill = ghrelin blocker....coming soon!

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nenevomito · 16/07/2013 13:15

1 in 4 adults are obese in the UK. Not the world.

If 1/4 of people are obese rather than 1/6 that would suggest that other factors play a large part in obesity.

Poor diet does count. Cheese is a high calorie food, but its not the same as a donut, for example, which is a high calorie food high in sugar which stimulates the pancreas that means it is more likely to be stored as fat.

You are more likely to eat more calories than you need if you don't do any exercise. Exercising can make you lose weight if you don't diet.

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nenevomito · 16/07/2013 13:17

Also, in my life I have swung between being very heavy (17st) to the right weight for my height (11st). When I have been heavy its been because I've eaten too much junk and not exercised. When I have been the right weight, its because I've eaten healthily and exercised.

The gene isn't an excuse, its a contributing factor.

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ICBINEG · 16/07/2013 13:19

okay baby but noone said it was an excuse. it is a reason why some people find losing weight harder....that's what was said...but if you want to argue against something you yourself have created then go right ahead..

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ICBINEG · 16/07/2013 13:22

You are more likely to eat more calories than you need if you don't do any exercise.

can you prove that? I know a lot of skinny non-exercisers?

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ICBINEG · 16/07/2013 13:23

also I know when I exercise more I eat more....it doesn't make any difference to my net calorie intake.

What really does make you more likely to take in more calories than you use is having a faulty gene telling you that you are hungry and need to eat more when you don't.

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nenevomito · 16/07/2013 13:27

Its simple maths.

a) Each day burn off 200 exercising.
b) Don't exercise and burn off nothing.

You have a day when you have a chocolate bar (around 250 calories). Who is more likely to go over the needed calorie intake for their height / build?

Your posts come across as if you are delighted to find an excuse for finding it hard to lose weight. Sorry if I've misunderstood and thats not what you intended.

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LessMissAbs · 16/07/2013 13:28

So this gene has been found to have an association with putting on weight on relatively small amounts of food, and for people with it to respond well to high protein diets and taking exercise?

Sounds equally like a gene shared by successful athletes! To be able to consumer a high amount of calories, turn those into muscle and to be energy efficient is actually quite a sought after characteristic when combined with training. Many elite athletes are prone to putting on weight in the off-season - Cathy Freeman and Jan Ullrich spring to mind.

If it was a real problem gene to health, then it would have died out. Sounds like it is only a problem when combined with poor diet and lifestyle.

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forevergreek · 16/07/2013 13:29

I'm not sure I agree.

Iv never been overweight, yet eating protein will keep me fuller than say a slice of bread. Surely that's just logic.

Eat empty calories ie crisps/ drinks/ cereals v nuts/ water/ eggs. One will keep you full longer than the other.

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angelos02 · 16/07/2013 13:32

I don't think you necessarily need to actually do 'exercise' to keep your weight low. It is about being active and not sat down all day long.

I notice this at work - some people are in and out of my office with letters to post, questions etc, all day. Others save everything up and pop in once at the end of the day. Guess which type of person is generally slimmer? If you extrapolate that kind of attitude to all waking hours, it will add up.

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ICBINEG · 16/07/2013 13:33

baby no that isn't correct.

It leaves out the part where you body notices that you have burnt more calories and demands more food.

fundamentally we are all slaves to our brain telling us when we have balanced our intake with outgoings. If your brain errs on the side of caution and demands slightly more than you burned everyday you can either listen to it and gain weight or fight it and feel hungry all the time. If your brain errs on the side of profligacy and demands slightly less than you burn everyday you can either listen to it and lose weight or fight it and eat a little beyond feeling full every day.

Doing more exercise only changes the number your brain is aiming for, not is actual ability to aim correctly.

Of course it is well worth exercising anyway...but it doesn't change the problem that people with this faulty gene will continue to gain weight...

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ICBINEG · 16/07/2013 13:35

less yes in a food starved environment the obese of today would be out competing the healthy/underweight of today....

swings and roundabouts...

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ICBINEG · 16/07/2013 13:36

forever what are you not agreeing with exactly?

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forevergreek · 16/07/2013 13:38

Iceberg- I don agree than its a gene that means you feel fuller eating protein. Everyone should feel fuller eating protein.

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ICBINEG · 16/07/2013 13:41

yes it makes people feel disproportionately fuller on protein.

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